Teapot Theology

“We pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for.” Dag Hammarskjold

Rote & Pettigrew author, A 40-Day Spiritual Gameplan for Men which hits all the main themes for men today:- Living Life in the Zone contains many of the basic elements we have come to expect from 40 day devotionals books, like short easy to read chapters, real life examples, though provoking questions, and daily homework. While it could get lost in among other devotional books I believe the strong content directed towards men make this book a must read. Living In the Zone deals with all of the stressful things in a man’s life and puts them in perspective by seeing how all of these issue relate to our personal walk with God.

My favourite parts of the book were Day 30 “Living Up to Your Potential” and Day 36 “Fighting the Battle.” They were real encouragements to me. Another aspect of the book is that not only does it talk about what a godly man looks like, but also what it takes to become that man. Hopefully, you find this devotional as thought provoking and inspiring as I did, despite the across-the-pond translations needed at times! Great for all men!

Here’s the words and wisdom of Henri Nouwen in a prayer:-
“The Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death.

I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life.

I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are not times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you.

Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life that you have prepared for me. Amen.

We can so downplay certain days in the calender….. we pass them by, we believe that we’re too liberated to be bound or connected and yet in them is meaning, richness and purpose….

One of things I love about NOT giving up things this Lent is using the forty-ish days till Easter as a journey. A time of increased personal examination.

During this Lenten Season, I’m asking myself……

1. Where is there forgiveness and grace needed? (like extra dollups!!)
2. Where is a (soul) blockage that would keep the Holy Spirit from moving freely?
3. Where are the places where there isn’t resurrection life right now? (stale, stuck or stagnating places!!)

All of it (even already) has sharpened my hunger and desire for greater intimacy with Jesus! The preparation for Easter could and should be a time to improve and renew your relationship with the Risen Christ! So let Easter result in daily resurrection (now!!)

“… So that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” 1 Corinthians 2:5

The season of preparation has begun.

How an iPhone app made a life-saving intervention in Haiti!

Wisdom from an older and wiser voice…..

If you could have real virtual church; is this what you’d want it to be?

Death within churches from the top down; Marcus’ great article and challenging questions,….. worth your time.

Incandescence: and God’s call in our lives!

How about sermon length…? What about it!

What church leaders might learn from the Apple genius: Steve Jobs?!

The Happiness Machine, c/o Coca Cola!

and what would pastoral care be like if Jack Baeur was your pastor!!

A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a person perfected without trials - Chinese Proverb

Sorrow, anger and the helplessness that Haiti evokes…. More here…

God bless this…. laptop!? a dose of curious prayers for all occasions?!

A wonderful six-track acoustic worship-central album for free download….

What do you make of Stephen Baldwin in CBB? Devoted bible stuff anyhow!!

Am enjoying a significant dose of Brothers and Sisters, catch-up dvd viewing with my beloved….Engaging, warm, poignant, complex, brilliant!

Pastoral profiling and all that….? This blog is an interesting write: linking the truth that ‘churches put their pastors on a pedestal and this truth is only worsened when their pastors want to be there!’,…. it’s like a challenge between excellence and grace that I’ve been talking over with some new friends.

Bring on some boredom! Over-stimulation is the enemy of imagination – we should give our children the gift of boredom…. go on smash your Wii’s and those DS games!

Here’s an expresso for your soul!

And….. the weekend always includes Jesus, but this weekend, we get to have Jack back too!! For Day 8 of our lives! Arnt’ we allowed to praise God for Jack Baeur?!

annoyance, gets irritating…..!!

I’d thought some stuff and had a private rant (obviously being fair, clear, merciful and wise!!) Then when I tried to go to bed:

God spoke to me about it, and told me it didn’t pass the THINK test,…. is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?

I told Him I thought it was okay…… He didn’t agree!

Ever tried telling God he’s wrong?!!

So here I am tired, not-afraid of wrestling, still-learning, growing….. and groaning too! Thank you for your grace Lord Jesus.

“We should confess our failures in disciple-making and avoid the temptation of throwing the spiritual babies to grow in the gutter.”
Prakash Yesudian

How do you prioritise the presence of God?

Your best flows from revelation. Hence I believe that you and I must prioritize the presence of God in your life. What would Moses have missed had he never turned aside to see the burning bush? If the leaders in the church in the book of Acts had neglected prayer and the Word to serve tables, how might the influence of the Gospel been impeded worldwide?

What revelation, inspiration, imagination and innovation is left undiscovered in your life because you’re failing to prioritize the presence of God?