tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73307662011-11-02T01:29:36.757-04:00Believe > Read > <b>Think</b> > Act!Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-81811895485144951722007-09-01T12:53:00.000-04:002007-09-01T12:54:16.921-04:00

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.The "who" in the above verse struck me the other day as I read it. So often we focus on what God does in us, that we neglect to do what we are called to do for ourselves - repent.It is not easy to walk away from our temptations. Our flesh sometimes cries out with great pain and anguish when we deny it

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1169638790136429582007-01-24T05:34:00.000-05:002007-01-24T06:39:57.473-05:00

It is fascinating to study the behavior of the people of Israel during the exodus. They experienced miracles daily. God delivered them from slavery in Egypt, He protected them from the plagues affecting everyone else in Egypt. He lead them as a pillar of cloud and fire. He parted the sea for them. He miraculously provided them food to eat.In spite of all of these miracles, they still

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1160508170931795752006-10-10T15:17:00.000-04:002006-10-10T15:39:57.530-04:00

According to the Bible, the tongue is a spiritual barometer. Consider these verses:Matthew 15:17-18Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.Luke 6:39 basically says the same thing.James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1155713668368501992006-08-16T03:27:00.000-04:002006-08-16T03:49:22.506-04:00

One of the favorite passages for parents is Proverbs 22:6. The NIV translates it this way: Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Many parents are encouraged by the idea that if they train their children well, the children will continue to be well disciplined as they mature into adulthood. The Proverbs should be considered wisdom, not

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1150970512400279122006-06-22T04:15:00.000-04:002006-06-22T06:01:52.876-04:00

Proverbs 3:5-7 says: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. I think this warning applies to our Biblical understanding as well. While the Word of God is absolute truth, unfortunately our understanding

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1142600968928795462006-03-17T06:56:00.000-05:002006-03-17T08:09:28.990-05:00

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." - Luke 23:34How many times a day could we repeat this prayer?Sin is sad. It is a sign of our faithlessness and that we still buy into some of this world's deceptive ideas.Often our reaction towards sin is anger. I do not think this is a healthy response. Matt 5:22 tells us "But I tell you that anyone who is angry

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1137496304263968072006-01-17T05:35:00.000-05:002006-01-17T06:11:44.300-05:00

In our efforts to influence the world around us, Christians often engage in Civil disobedience. Looking though scripture, I see times when Christians complied with injustice, and times when they rebelled against injustice. How do we decide which course of action is appropriate?In Acts 12:1-19, Peter escaped from prison, sparing his own life, but costing the lives of the guards who failed to

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1135862561173325312005-12-29T02:57:00.000-05:002006-01-03T04:00:59.420-05:00

Sometimes it is difficult to understand why we suffer so much.2 Corinthians 4:6-116 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1135528362076348222005-12-25T10:20:00.000-05:002005-12-25T11:32:42.143-05:00

Today is the day we celebrate:"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." All of celebration today should illuminate this wonderful truth.My question of the day is how do we utilize our Christmas traditions to illuminate Christ? It seems like by nature, many of our traditions are more of a distraction,

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1132740462857526382005-11-23T03:06:00.000-05:002005-11-23T05:07:42.903-05:00

In Philippians 4:10-13, Paul says that he learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I believe that one technique he used to learn such peace is described in the previous verses:Philippians 4:4-7; Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1130922556027016472005-11-02T02:55:00.000-05:002005-11-02T06:46:12.713-05:00

Sometimes I think that Christians take it upon themselves to try to deliver people from their sinful lifestyles. In many cases well meaning people are campaigning passionately to eliminate certain sinful or immoral practices through education, legislation or litigation.I fear that often times these efforts may overshadow or contaminate the message of the Gospel. Should Christians be identified

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1130245372922637602005-10-25T08:59:00.000-04:002005-10-25T09:20:09.533-04:00

It seems that when God wants me to pay attention to something he repeats it over and over. Lately, the theme has been Walking by the Spirit.Galatians 5:16-17But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1128943709150389052005-10-12T23:30:00.000-04:002005-10-13T02:14:08.316-04:00

The Christian life can be simplified down to 2 commandments. 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength', and 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. (Mark 12:30-31) Love seems like such a simple thing to do, but is it really? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1128075166800858272005-09-30T04:58:00.000-04:002005-10-01T00:31:17.650-04:00

In John 13:34-35 Christ says "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."Looking through the bible, I see a lot more places where we are told to do something in relation to one another. Various New Testament scriptures tell us to greet, be devoted, live in harmony,

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1126261383554800472005-09-09T03:21:00.000-04:002005-09-09T06:33:21.410-04:00

Sometimes I like to ask myself "Am I following Christ, or running from the devil?". Resisting the devil without our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus will often lead us from one temptation to the next. When we evade a temptation, we may feel righteous, but pride is a sin. If we use the circumstances of Satan’s traps to guide us, he can herd us away from an authentic relationship with Christ, and

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1124780178255164442005-08-23T01:46:00.000-04:002005-08-23T16:51:43.036-04:00

Is angry prayer healthy? A quick search of the Psalms yields a lot of examples of bitterness toward God. BibleGateway.com Keyword Search: why Psalm 10:1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?Why are you so far from saving me,so far from the words of my groaning? Psalm 42:9

Josh Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15473434889729586478noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1124757514543908042005-08-22T20:26:00.000-04:002005-08-22T20:38:34.550-04:00

Grace - Get it? Got it? Good!Grace - unmerited favor. God's common grace is what keeps this world going. His redeeming grace is what saves us from sin.Romans 5:20b-21"...where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."To many, this passage seems to give

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1124365087529725892005-08-18T07:36:00.000-04:002005-08-18T07:38:07.533-04:00

UpdateWell, after yesterday's post, I received an email from Josh at www.fingertoe.com. He offered to be a contributor.So, it looks like this blog might have some life after all.I would really like to have 3-4 regular contributors, so if you are interested, please send me a note: disciple AT dreifuss DOT org.Thanks!

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1124335961007813752005-08-17T23:28:00.000-04:002005-08-17T23:32:41.013-04:00

AnnouncementMy apologies to the few who read this blog. Unless something miraculous happens (as in a few people commit to weekly contribution to this site), I will be shutting down the Thinking Christians Blog.This site was intended for multiple contributors. I simply cannot solely provide the content that such a site should have. Such a Blog should be a lively place full of thought-provoking

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1114054178690382992005-04-20T23:11:00.000-04:002005-04-20T23:29:38.693-04:00

How ValuableIf you've ever bought or sold something on Ebay.com, you know the fluidity that is the value of merchandise. Recently I sold a non-functional PDA (and it was labeled as such) to someone. I estimated that I'd get a few dollars at best. The auction ended at $22. So goes the market for pre-owned goods. One man's trash is another man's treasure, as the saying goes.Value and worth is

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1108757526723932662005-02-18T14:46:00.000-05:002005-02-18T15:12:06.726-05:00

Christian LibertyAs Christians, what are our freedoms? What defines our freedom? Are all things truly permissable?1 Corinthians 6:12"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything."This idea tugs at the first:1 Corinthians 8:9"But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1100893189726193762004-11-19T14:33:00.000-05:002004-11-19T14:39:49.726-05:00

Apathy The opposite of love is not hate -- it is apathy. 1 John 3:10 "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." Ignorance and Apathy - the bane of Western Christianity. Many don't know and don't care. But what marks a Christian? Love for God

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1095725436345477972004-09-20T19:58:00.000-04:002004-09-20T20:10:36.346-04:00

Voices of the Seven Thunders Revelation 9:3 says, "and he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices." Have you ever wondered what are the seven thunders or what did John have in mind when he wrote this? Psalm 29:3-9 says, "The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18083962021195173147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1094222644290763382004-09-03T10:07:00.000-04:002004-09-03T10:51:49.126-04:00

Is a Women's Role in the Church Affected by the Culture We Live In? 1 Timothy 2:9-15 - Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper or women making a claim to godliness. A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18083962021195173147noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1094050800265644912004-09-01T10:59:00.000-04:002004-09-01T11:17:38.060-04:00

Slavery It has been said that the Bible is silent on issues concerning moral responsibility in regards to homosexual partners receiving medical benefits or the institution of marriage by same-sex partners, but I believe the Bible does speak of a Christian's Moral Responsibility. Ephesians 6:5-9 - Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18083962021195173147noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1092097803133701062004-08-09T20:16:00.000-04:002004-08-09T20:30:03.133-04:00

Godly Sorrow a follow-up to Thursday's post "...yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us." 2 Corinthians 7:9 Sorrow isn't an emotion that's comfortable. It's not something that we wish on ourselves or our loved ones. Yet it is the instrument that God

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1091696532478831982004-08-05T04:57:00.000-04:002004-08-05T05:02:12.476-04:00

What Grieves God "You learn to like someone when you find out what makes them laugh, but you can never truly love someone until you find out what makes them cry." -Anonymous "Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart." Ecclesiastes 7:3 In what capacity do you see that these concepts are true in our relationship with God?

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1088780092566575942004-07-09T10:33:00.000-04:002004-07-09T10:32:42.063-04:00

What's My Motivation? God has made 'good deed' appointments for us [see Ephesians 2:10]. He not only created the good deeds. He created us for them! This week's question: Is it more important to perform these good works, or that we do them in the right spirit (frame of mind; heart attitude)? Is obedience the higher call, or relationship? I believe these go hand-in-hand. But when you're

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1087485910253183572004-07-02T11:07:00.000-04:002004-07-02T11:05:35.700-04:00

Any Other Allegiance? In this article, the author testifies that her conscience wouldn't allow her to continue attending this new rebellious church of which she was a part. I commend her for her decision. She acted not upon feeling, but upon the Holy Spirit's conviction. However, it brings to mind a question. How much are we to be committed to the church fathers and our church history?

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1087912011776014112004-06-22T09:45:00.000-04:002004-06-22T09:46:51.776-04:00

Comments now working I am not sure how many people tried, but my wife attempted to post a comment and it didn't go through. I re-posted yesterday's entry, and now you should be able to comment.

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1087821656540908302004-06-21T08:22:00.000-04:002004-06-21T19:21:52.976-04:00

the Huddle Two recent events have me wondering about a certain phenomenon I call the 'Christian Huddle'. Southern Baptist proposal favors home, church schools The first is the recent inclination of Southern Baptists to remove all their children from public schools [which was not approved]. Now, don't misunderstand me -- I am not against home schooling or Christian schools. I believe that

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1087559884154316582004-06-18T07:44:00.000-04:002004-06-18T08:01:14.240-04:00

Responsibility, Mandate, or Both? In a eulogy at his father's funeral, Ron Reagan -- son of the late President Ronald Reagan -- explained that his father's faith was a personal one, and that it had an effect on his presidency. Here's how Ron explained it: "...after he was shot and nearly killed early in his presidency he came to believe that God had spared him in order that he might do good.

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1087470341793546382004-06-17T07:02:00.000-04:002004-06-17T07:16:52.213-04:00

TV Trends In a commercial break during NBA Finals game 4, I saw ads for two new shows on ABC. One is a reality show called 'Wife Swap.' The tagline is 'There's a new Mommy in Town.' Without much information to go on, this already had me worried. A Google News search later, I found out more of the details. In this article, it is explained that bedroom activity isn't involved, but that other

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1087404173421677362004-06-16T12:36:00.000-04:002004-06-16T12:44:17.303-04:00

WANTED: Thinking Christians This article is one of the inspirations for starting this blog. In it, James Montgomery Boice points out that our culture is being "entertain[ed] to death." More precisely, he means that we are so enamored with entertainment, that it becomes our primary goal in life and damages our ability to think rationally, logically, and critically. He then goes on to say that

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7330766.post-1087393740232888442004-06-16T09:47:00.000-04:002004-06-16T09:49:00.233-04:00

Welcome This is the first post of the Thinking Christians Blog. Over the next couple of days, I'll be configuring the site, inviting a team of bloggers, and thinking about the mission statement for this arena. Stay tuned!

Berthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08549760897866213757noreply@blogger.com0