Mark ‘s Sermon, Matt 5:10, Blessed are the persecuted. Why are we persecuted? I did not plan this sermon to land on this day, but it is exceedingly appropriate in light of the "fear factor" connected to Halloween. Today we begin our look at the last of the Beatitudes (it gets a few more verses than the others, and thus a few more week) These are the words of Jesus, and he says to us: 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. And in order to get the whole passage, I would like for us to back up to the beginning of this section and read through to today's passage. 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And as we read this, I want us to remember two things. 1) This is the upside down Kingdom that Jesus is bringing to the world. He declares that this Kingdom is here, and that it is coming. And both are true. This list is the "new normal" for his followers. As we follow Jesus we begin to look more and more like this list. As we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we are filled (satistfied). As our heart are renewed, and made pure, we see the face of God more clearly. These are great promises, blessings, that we receive as we live out our "new lives." 2) I believe this is a discipleship process compressed into eight verses. And as such, while it is real, and it is possible to live this way, we can not make this list a mandate to change the world. It will be come clear as we look at this last beatitude, that Jesus does not expect that our world, our nation, our neighbors will embrace this new set of values. This caught me a bit off guard this week as I studied. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Let me quickly connect the dots. 1) This is a discipleship process, which means we know that we are nearing the end of the process when we begin to experience persecution. 2) It is NOT persecution for... a) being stupid b) being political c) being in favor of a cause d) but it is for being righteous (for becoming a Jesus follower, and walking by faith) 3) This caught me off guard, because even though I have been a Christian most my life, I continue to believe that it is possible to be a Christian, and to be popular, to be well liked, to be admired and to be "cool." If fact, much of my adult life has been spent as a youth pastor convincing teens that it is "cool to be Christian." Rarely would I ever tell a teen, if you choose to follow Jesus, you will be ridiculed, laughed at, slandered, and disregarded. 4) I do not know if you have been offended by the Bible lately? I remember being greatly perplexed by God's word. I was in Intro to Bible. We were studying Acts. Acts 24, starting in verse 24. 24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. This left me completely perplexed. I would even say mad. Why would God leave Paul in prison for two years, with nothing to show for it. 5) This leads me to the conclusion. God is working a process in us. He is making us into people who love him, who trust him, who find their identity in him, and when we do that...the world will hate us. And they will act on that hate, and we will get hurt. And God makes no bones about it. This is the road of the disciple. 6) Which leaves us in a very very very interesting place. We are left asking, where has my discipleship process led me? Have I allowed the pain of persecution to drive me deeper into Jesus, or has the constant attack of the world shaken me off of my firm foundation in Jesus.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Oh, that is what the shirt says...
Are you wondering why all the shirts looked the same when they came out of the Chilean Mine?
Here is the story:
Here is the story:
From: Brian Larson
To: Mark Kraakevik
Sent: Thu, October 14, 2010 1:15:12 PM
Subject: FW: Wedding & Chilean Miners | October 14, 2010
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:54:51 -0400
Subject: Wedding & Chilean Miners | October 14, 2010
From: Barry A Warren (on staff with Campus Crusade) Hello! I flew back into Orlando Tuesday afternoon. I was pretty wiped out after an incredible and full trip to the Northeast. It was a trip full of fun and God’s grace! Thank you so much for your prayers for the wedding. I was surprisingly calm before hand, with a quick flash of nervousness right before the ceremony. It went very well. It worked! Lucas and Christy are now married and starting their new life together. It was such an honor and privilege to be able to marry Lucas. It was ten years ago I met him as a Freshman at New Mexico State University. I imagine many of you have watched some footage of the trapped, Chilean miners being rescued the other day. What a great picture of people being rescued “from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Son He loves!” (Colossians 1:13) As I watched a little footage yesterday I saw the shirts they where wearing and thought, “That looks just like a “Jesus” film shirt! I found out today they were! Every rescued miner came out of the ground sporting a Campus Crusade/”Jesus” Film shirt. A bit of that story is directly below and a longer article is below that. Enjoy! Barry Are you following the progress in the rescue of Chilean miners? The t-shirts that they are wearing says, "Thanks Lord" and were provided by Campus Crusade for Christ. You can see The JESUS Film Project logo on the left sleeve. The Jesus Film Project (JFP) also sent 33 audio versions of the Jesus Film (on mp3s) with Bibles to the miners. They were able to have their families send them down to them. And the "Thank you, Lord" t-shirt has Psalm 95:4 on it - "In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also.” I am told by my JFP friend that the miners voted to wear that Tshirt as they were rescued!
Barry A. Warren
Introducing people to Jesus
with creativity & compassion
Campus Crusade for Christ
http://www.barryawarren.com
http://www.perspectivecards.com/
http://www.give.ccci.org/give/0474120
By Christian Maureira, Chile National Director
Posted: 13.Oct.2010 Editor's Note: We received this update from Christian Maureira about the Chile ministry's efforts to help the trapped miners. This was translated by Doug Barron.
Hello team and friends! I want to share with you about the last 2 very intense weeks as we have worked on the project to take the Word of God and the JESUS audio version to the mine, but it has really be worth the effort as it is food for the soul. This long history of the miners that is now passing 2 months has been without doubt the longest survival experience for people trapped underground. This all started on the August 5, when the San Jose mine collapsed because of the exploration in the mine. The news was not good as it was only 6 months after we had experience the very large earthquake and tsunami. With a population less than other countries in the world, problems like this seem much closer to you and much more like it is part of your own family. After 2 weeks without news from the miners we could only think the worst. The government had made every effort, but it was reasonable to think that the miners were lost, above all considering the distance where they were located, some 700 meters (2,000 feet) deep with a difficult future to be rescued. But God had other plans and 2 days later (the 17th day), contact with them was made. Obviously we were all very happy and we celebrated the miracle that all were alive. As Campus Crusade, God guided us to think about how we could help these men and this was how we took the initiative to contact some churches in the north, leaders and authorities about sending the JESUS audio into the mine. It wasn't easy in the beginning because of some apathy in the Christian leadership and a lack of a sense of urgency, together with the restrictive control of the rescue team but, God in His sovereignty provided that we were able to gain contact with the daughter and the brother of 1 of the 3 Christians that were trapped there. During several weeks, I was in contact with them and I explored the possibility of sending them audio material. Finally, I traveled to the mine with 33 MP3's containing the JESUS audio version and an ample portion of the Bible. I was there for 2 days and we sent the MP3's through each family members that were there. Jose Samuel, my contact in the mine (father of Hettiz and brother of Gaston) is an extraordinary man who has really surprised me. The psychologists that are giving help from the surface have recognized that he has been a tremendous emotional and spiritual support for the rest of his co-workers. He sent me a letter that grabbed my attention for his incredible clarity of thought. For example, some parts of the letter are:
To: Mark Kraakevik
Sent: Thu, October 14, 2010 1:15:12 PM
Subject: FW: Wedding & Chilean Miners | October 14, 2010
I found the back story Mark....
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:54:51 -0400
Subject: Wedding & Chilean Miners | October 14, 2010
From: Barry A Warren (on staff with Campus Crusade) Hello! I flew back into Orlando Tuesday afternoon. I was pretty wiped out after an incredible and full trip to the Northeast. It was a trip full of fun and God’s grace! Thank you so much for your prayers for the wedding. I was surprisingly calm before hand, with a quick flash of nervousness right before the ceremony. It went very well. It worked! Lucas and Christy are now married and starting their new life together. It was such an honor and privilege to be able to marry Lucas. It was ten years ago I met him as a Freshman at New Mexico State University. I imagine many of you have watched some footage of the trapped, Chilean miners being rescued the other day. What a great picture of people being rescued “from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Son He loves!” (Colossians 1:13) As I watched a little footage yesterday I saw the shirts they where wearing and thought, “That looks just like a “Jesus” film shirt! I found out today they were! Every rescued miner came out of the ground sporting a Campus Crusade/”Jesus” Film shirt. A bit of that story is directly below and a longer article is below that. Enjoy! Barry Are you following the progress in the rescue of Chilean miners? The t-shirts that they are wearing says, "Thanks Lord" and were provided by Campus Crusade for Christ. You can see The JESUS Film Project logo on the left sleeve. The Jesus Film Project (JFP) also sent 33 audio versions of the Jesus Film (on mp3s) with Bibles to the miners. They were able to have their families send them down to them. And the "Thank you, Lord" t-shirt has Psalm 95:4 on it - "In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also.” I am told by my JFP friend that the miners voted to wear that Tshirt as they were rescued!
Barry A. Warren
Introducing people to Jesus
with creativity & compassion
Campus Crusade for Christ
http://www.barryawarren.com
http://www.perspectivecards.com/
http://www.give.ccci.org/give/0474120
If you would rather me send you emails at a different address just let me know.- If you wish to unsubscribe from these updates just reply with “unsubscribe” written in the subject line without any guilt.
By Christian Maureira, Chile National Director
Posted: 13.Oct.2010 Editor's Note: We received this update from Christian Maureira about the Chile ministry's efforts to help the trapped miners. This was translated by Doug Barron.
Hello team and friends! I want to share with you about the last 2 very intense weeks as we have worked on the project to take the Word of God and the JESUS audio version to the mine, but it has really be worth the effort as it is food for the soul. This long history of the miners that is now passing 2 months has been without doubt the longest survival experience for people trapped underground. This all started on the August 5, when the San Jose mine collapsed because of the exploration in the mine. The news was not good as it was only 6 months after we had experience the very large earthquake and tsunami. With a population less than other countries in the world, problems like this seem much closer to you and much more like it is part of your own family. After 2 weeks without news from the miners we could only think the worst. The government had made every effort, but it was reasonable to think that the miners were lost, above all considering the distance where they were located, some 700 meters (2,000 feet) deep with a difficult future to be rescued. But God had other plans and 2 days later (the 17th day), contact with them was made. Obviously we were all very happy and we celebrated the miracle that all were alive. As Campus Crusade, God guided us to think about how we could help these men and this was how we took the initiative to contact some churches in the north, leaders and authorities about sending the JESUS audio into the mine. It wasn't easy in the beginning because of some apathy in the Christian leadership and a lack of a sense of urgency, together with the restrictive control of the rescue team but, God in His sovereignty provided that we were able to gain contact with the daughter and the brother of 1 of the 3 Christians that were trapped there. During several weeks, I was in contact with them and I explored the possibility of sending them audio material. Finally, I traveled to the mine with 33 MP3's containing the JESUS audio version and an ample portion of the Bible. I was there for 2 days and we sent the MP3's through each family members that were there. Jose Samuel, my contact in the mine (father of Hettiz and brother of Gaston) is an extraordinary man who has really surprised me. The psychologists that are giving help from the surface have recognized that he has been a tremendous emotional and spiritual support for the rest of his co-workers. He sent me a letter that grabbed my attention for his incredible clarity of thought. For example, some parts of the letter are:
- "I want to express my appreciation for this great blessing for me and my co-workers, it will be very good our edification" (He is talking about the MP3's)
- "I am well because Christ lives in me"
- "We have prayer services at 12 a.m. and 6 p.m."
- "I ask all of you for pray not only for us here, but for all the lost people in the world"
- At the end of the letter he signed off with Psalm 95:4, "In his hand are the depths of the earth, and mountain peaks belong to him."
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Please pray for the teenage girl who was hit this afternoon by a pick up truck in front of school
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Monday, October 11, 2010
What does New York have against Minnesota anyway? #twins #vikings
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Saturday, October 09, 2010
Friday, October 08, 2010
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Mark's Top Five Clifton StrengthsFinder Themes: Woo, Learner, Arranger, Positivity, Belief
The Clifton StrengthsFinder
As you may know, the Clifton StrengthsFinder measures the presence of talent in 34 categories called "themes." These themes were determined by Gallup as those that most consistently predict outstanding performance. The greater the presence of a theme of talent within a person, the more likely that person is to spontaneously exhibit those talents in day-to-day behaviors.Focusing on naturally powerful talents helps people use them as the foundation of strengths and enjoy personal, academic, and career success through consistent, near-perfect performance.Below are my top five themes of talent, ranked in the order revealed by my responses to the Clifton StrengthsFinder.How well do you think these themes describe me?
To learn more about the Clifton StrengthsFinder and how you can discover your top five themes, visit http://strengths.gallup.com
As you may know, the Clifton StrengthsFinder measures the presence of talent in 34 categories called "themes." These themes were determined by Gallup as those that most consistently predict outstanding performance. The greater the presence of a theme of talent within a person, the more likely that person is to spontaneously exhibit those talents in day-to-day behaviors.Focusing on naturally powerful talents helps people use them as the foundation of strengths and enjoy personal, academic, and career success through consistent, near-perfect performance.Below are my top five themes of talent, ranked in the order revealed by my responses to the Clifton StrengthsFinder.How well do you think these themes describe me?
Woo
People who are especially talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person.
Learner
People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.
Arranger
People who are especially talented in the Arranger theme can organize, but they also have a flexibility that complements this ability. They like to figure out how all of the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity.
Positivity
People who are especially talented in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.
Belief
People who are especially talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life.
To learn more about the Clifton StrengthsFinder and how you can discover your top five themes, visit http://strengths.gallup.com
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
It's time to fight back against death threats by Islamic extremists A federal law is needed to cover threats against free-speech rights. Across media and geographies, Islamic extremists are increasingly using intimidation to stifle free expression. - Los
Earlier this year, after Comedy Central altered an episode of "South Park" that had prompted threats because of the way it depicted Islam's prophet Muhammad, Seattle cartoonist Molly Norris proposed an "Everybody Draw Muhammad Day." The idea was, as she put it, to stand up for the 1st Amendment and "water down the pool of targets" for extremists.
The proposal got Norris targeted for assassination by radical Yemeni American cleric Anwar Awlaki, who has been linked to the attempted Christmas Day bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight and also to several of the 9/11 hijackers. This month, after warnings from the FBI, Norris went into hiding. The Seattle Weekly said that Norris was "moving, changing her name, and essentially wiping away her identity."
It's time for free-speech advocates to take a page from the abortion rights movement's playbook. In the 1990s, abortion providers faced the same sort of intimidation tactics and did not succumb. Instead, they lobbied for a federal law making it a crime to threaten people exercising reproductive rights and permitting victims to sue for damages. The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or FACE, passed in 1994 by solid bipartisan margins. A similar act is needed to cover threats against free-speech rights.
A federal law would do two things. First, it would deter violent tactics, by focusing national attention on the problem and invoking the formidable enforcement apparatus of the federal government. Second, its civil damages provision would empower victims of intimidation to act as private attorneys general to defend their rights.
Such an act is overdue. Across media and geographies, Islamic extremists are increasingly using intimidation to stifle free expression.
In 2004, Theo van Gogh was butchered on an Amsterdam street in broad daylight for his film criticizing Islam's treatment of women. By 2006, it was reported that "dozens of people" across Europe were "in hiding or under police protection because of threats from Muslim extremists."
Some targets, including the coauthor of this Op-Ed, fled to the United States, where it seemed safer -- and so it is, for now. However, the stark truth is the United States was never immune and the situation is deteriorating.
In 1989, two American bookstores carrying Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" were firebombed. Spooked major chains took it off display. And there have been many more threats that received less publicity. Few have heard, for example, about Oklahoma atheist Sabri Husibi, who received death threats after writing a 2009 article critical of his former faith. His aged mother in Syria was warned she would never see him again. "Clearly shaken," he requested the paper that published his article clarify that he is critical of all faiths.
These kinds of threats have had a formidable chilling effect. Mindful of the retaliation others faced, Yale University Press, the Met, the director of the disaster epic "2012" and countless others have decided to preemptively censor themselves.
The kind of legislation we propose is essential if we are to win the war of ideas against extremists, who use threats to drive the moderate message out of public discourse.
Existing state laws prohibiting intimidation are inadequate. On the criminal side, the heightened standard of proof deters prosecutors from investing scarce resources. Explicit grounds for a civil action do not always exist, and damages can be difficult to quantify. By contrast, the FACE Act, which provides the model for the proposed legislation, lets victims opt for preset damages.
The "South Park" incident neatly illustrates the benefits. On April 15, following the first of a two-part episode mocking Jesus, Buddha and Muhammad, RevolutionMuslim.com announced that "[w]e have to warn Matt and Trey that what they are doing is stupid and they will probably wind up like Theo Van Gogh." The "warning" included the names, photos and work address of "South Park's" creators, a graphic image of Van Gogh's mutilated body and pictures of other targets of Muslim extremists. Overlaying this was audio of Awlaki preaching about assassinating anyone who defamed the prophet. Panicked, Comedy Central heavily censored the episode.
This rather obvious threat could not be prosecuted. New York Police Department officials explained it did not rise to a crime. Were the FACE Act applicable here, a civil suit would have been available, and precedent suggests it would have been successful.
In 2002, on very similar facts, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a civil award to abortion doctors who sued using the FACE Act. A fringe antiabortion group, ACLA, had in various public venues displayed "Wanted"-style posters bearing the names, photos and addresses of doctors who performed abortions. Their names were also posted on the Internet alongside a list of wounded and murdered doctors whose names were struck through. The 9th Circuit held that ACLA's activities constituted true threats unprotected by the 1st Amendment.
If we leave our artists, activists and thinkers alone to weather the assault, they will succumb and we will all suffer the consequences.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a former member of the Dutch parliament, is a resident scholar with the American Enterprise Institute and the author of "Nomad: From Islam to America." Daniel Huff is director of the Middle East Forum's Legal Project.
Not sure we need another law so much as we just need people not afraid to stand up and say that Mohamed is not a prophet, and is followers are going to hell.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
please pray for my friend Ernie who is in the hospital with a blood clot in his lung
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Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Self-Control Quotes, Sayings about Temptation, Self-Discipline, Will Power
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Quotations about Self-Control
Related Quotes Habits Effort Perseverance Attitude Dieting
Self-respect is the root of discipline: The sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself. ~Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Insecurity of Freedom: Essays on Human Existence, 1967
Not being able to govern events, I govern myself, and apply myself to them, if they will not apply themselves to me. ~Michel de Montaigne, Essays, 1588
How like herrings and onions our vices are in the morning after we have committed them. ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge
The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins. ~Bob Moawad
I have been my own disciple and my own master. And I have been a good disciple but a bad master. ~Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin
All men are tempted. There is no man that lives that can't be broken down, provided it is the right temptation, put in the right spot. ~Henry Ward Beecher, Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit, 1887
The cyclone derives its powers from a calm center. So does a person. ~Norman Vincent Peale
Those who flee temptation generally leave a forwarding address. ~Lane Olinghouse
It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways. ~Buddha
The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. ~Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891
You must admit you have self-control before you can use it. ~Carrie Latet
What makes resisting temptation difficult for many people is they don't want to discourage it completely. ~Franklin P. Jones
Do you really think it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are terrible temptations which it requires strength, strength and courage to yield to. ~Oscar Wilde
It's all right letting yourself go, as long as you can get yourself back. ~Mick Jagger
I bid you conquer in your warfare against your four great enemies, the world, the devil, the flesh, and above all, that obstinate and perverse self-will, unaided by which the other three would be comparatively powerless. ~Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare, Guesses at Truth, by Two Brothers, 1827
I am,
indeed,
a king,
because I know how
to rule myself.
~Pietro Aretino, 10 May 1537
You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage - pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically - to say 'no' to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger 'yes' burning inside. The enemy of the 'best' is often the 'good.' ~Stephen Covey
If we resist our passions, it is more because of their weakness than because of our strength. ~François, duc de La Rochefoucauld
For every man there exists a bait which he cannot resist swallowing. ~Friedrich Nietzsche
The first attribute that characterizes the greater man from the moron is his thicker layer of inhibition. ~Martin H. Fischer
Heaven is on the other side of that feeling you get when you're sitting on the couch and you get up and make a triple-decker sandwich. It's on the other side of that, when you don't make the sandwich. It's about sacrifice.... It's about giving up the things that basically keep you from feeling. That's what I believe, anyway. I'm always asking, "What am I going to give up next?" Because I want to feel. ~Jim Carrey, from a Michael Fleming interview in the March 2004 issue of Playboy magazine
An element of abstention, of restraint, must enter into all finer joys. ~Vida D. Scudder
Conscience whispers, but interest screams aloud. ~J. Petit-Senn
Not using faults does not mean that one does not have them. ~Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin
The trouble with resisting temptation is it may never come your way again. ~Korman's Law
Who is fit to govern others?
He who governs himself.
You might as well have said: nobody.
~Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare, Guesses at Truth, by Two Brothers, 1827
There is no allurement or enticement, actual or imaginary, which a well-disciplined mind may not surmount. The wish to resist more than half accomplishes the object. ~Charlotte Dacre, The Passions, 1811
Most people want to be delivered from temptation but would like it to keep in touch. ~Robert Orben
Nothing makes it easier to resist temptation than a proper bringing-up, a sound set of values - and witnesses. ~Franklin P. Jones
About the only time losing is more fun than winning is when you're fighting temptation. ~Tom Wilson
There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable. ~Mark Twain
Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it. ~Thomas Jefferson
We like slipping, but not falling; our real anxiety is to be tempted enough. ~Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare, Guesses at Truth, by Two Brothers, 1827
If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins. ~Benjamin Franklin
Being out of control is one of the worst feelings in the world, sometimes even worse than pain. It is its own kind of pain. ~Terri Guillemets
A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is.... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. ~C.S. Lewis
Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell. ~Author Unknown
You are a puppet, but in the hands of the infinite, which may be your own. ~Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin
Abstainer, n. A weak person who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure. ~Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, 1911
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The C.S. Lewis quote about 3/4 of the way down is one of my favorites about temptation.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Good Morning, Littleton
May God fill your hearts with joy as you discover how much He loves you today. (John 3:16)
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Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
"Blessed are the poor in Spirit" - sermon thoughts for tomorrow
Matt 5
The Beatitudes
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
(The following is based on James Boice's book on the Sermon on the Mount)
What is the sermon on the mount?
- Moral laws to be brought to bear on any society (social gospel)
- Legalistic laws to be strictly applied to the life of a Christian, (ignores the gospel)
- Impossible laws, meant only to drive us to Jesus, with no actual application (ignores the law)
- Dispensationalism view - this applies only to the future age, when Christ will rule during the Millennium.
- no Biblical clues in the text
- the worldview of the text matches our world, not a future utopian one
- all scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching
Why study the Sermon on the Mount
1) It shows us our complete dependency of the gospel
2) It points to Jesus. Jesus is the only person to have ever completely "lived" the sermon. He IS the sermon.
3) It shows us better way to live, one that leads to true happiness
4) It brings us closer to God, as we live in a way that pleases him. Not our will, but yours be done.
What does "Blessed" mean?
Happy, Bliss
Jesus was the happiest person that ever lived. His life was blessed.
If by happiness we mean serenity, confidence, contentment, peace, joy and soul satisfaction, then Jesus was the happiest person who ever lived." Billy Graham
Now on to the first beatitude.
Blessed are the poor in spirit
1) Could mean poor (no money)
2) Could mean poor spirited (down hearted)
3) Does mean spiritually poor before God - completely dependent on him
This is the gospel. Not that we can save ourselves, but that God saves us. It is a complete dependence on God.
The word "poor" is appropriate, because when we are poor, we are without a plan b. If you don't work, you don't buy food, and you don't eat. It is a very basic existence.
When we are rich, the game gets much more complicated. The bills pile up. The choices become greater. The belief that we can weather any storm that might come our way begins to grow. And then in a day it is all taken away, and we are once again left "poor."
Have you heard the stories from Boulder. One woman was at work when she got the call. She tried to get back to her house, but was not allowed into the canyon. Her house burned to the ground and she lost everything, except what she had with her at work that day.
When we surrender our lives to God, we become poor in spirit. We live each day completely dependent on God to provide meaning and purpose. We gain contentment and joy as we surrender our will and lean into God.
When we chose not to surrender, our lives become much more complex. We start to live with liabilities. We have egos to protect, and reputations to guard, and we want others to know how important we are.
----_________
ok - time for the last 75 words.
how does this hit me. I am currently finding it hard to surrender to God. I think its because I want to succeed so badly, that I am unwilling to fully leave it in God's hands. I feel the need to push harder than I should push, and I find myself getting pretty aggravated and short with those around me.
I wish I trusted God more.
Twitter quote from:
khoingo Humility is fully embracing who God made you to be and do. Nothing more and nothing less. And who He made you to be will bring Him glory.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Posted tons of sermons to http://www.theedgecolorado.podomatic.com
Thank you Kyle Padgett for working for nearly 10 hours straight today to get the last three months of sermons online.
Monday, September 06, 2010
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Peter's status update: The little interactions that happen on facebook that bring inspiration to my day.
Peter Hoskins "How much we sacrifice now will determine the future. The secret is to stay together. The highest miracle we can perform is to keep together; we must stay together as one. Unity is strength. Live for each other." johncargile
I know that the experts say that we are losing our ability to think deeply about things, because our world has become a series of unrelated short blasts of information and stacked on top of each other, but every now and then it seems that truth shines through in a short quote.
I really liked this one. It seems to say that no matter how hard things become now, if we will make the right decisions now, the future will be bright for our kids. I firmly believe this. Today our church service is focused around the need to stick together, to follow Jesus together. I hope we all recognize that we are not capable of living the life we were created to live alone. We must do this together. We must live for each other.
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Thoughts about tomorrows sermon. Matt 4:18-22
It is the time of year when you run as fast as you possibly can, as long as you can.
There are moments in life that become defining moments. We often do not recognize them at the time. Some of them we do. Do you remember the day you left for college. We load our stuff into our car and good bye to the town that has been home for so many years. The emotions of a day like that are hard to describe. Excitement. Fear. Sadness. Anxiety. Hope.
I have recently been reliving these emotions. Not because I am going back to school, but because as we head into fall this year, it feels like we are leaving the familiar, and entering into a defining moment for the EDGE. I want to invite you to share this moment with me.
God has laid before us an outstanding opportunity. I am sure you, like me, want to make the most of it.
----------
The Calling of the First Disciples
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed him.
21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
--------
They were busy
Jesus had a different plan, and called them
Come and follow me - What did this mean to them?
Left the business
Left their homes
Became a walking, talking, full time Jesus followers.
Now - the hard part is to discern, what does it mean when Jesus calls us.
Should we leave businesses?
Should we leave our homes?
How do we become walking, talking, full time followers of Jesus?
I would like to suggest in our setting that it means a few specific actions. 3 * 2 * B
1) It means coming to church
people all over the world are persecuted and attacked for going to church, and yet they continue to go.
2) It means getting in a small group
Relationships: A small group gives you the opportunity to get to know people at a more intimate level. Sunday mornings are an awesome time to worship with the whole family of God, hear a sermon, engage in corporate vision, but a small group gives you a chance to build deeper friendships.
Learning the Word of God: Sunday’s sermon is a great time to get a broad teaching of the Word of God. However, small groups provide time for one on one discussion. Your group can provide a time to clarify answers to questions from Sunday’s sermon.
Opportunity to Serve Others: One of the greatest joys of being in a small group is the chance to bear others burdens, serve their needs, and step out beyond your own issues.
Place to invite friends: A small group is a natural place to invite friends and family. Sometimes people are more comfortable going to a small group then attending a Sunday morning service.
Place to Pray and Share your needs: A gathering of a few people is a natural environment for prayer. A big part of prayer is conservation with God and small groups provide the perfect environment for communing with God.
Engage in worship: Gathering in a small group allows you to experience worship at a very intimate level.
Follow the New Testament pattern: Acts 2:42-47 gives us a blueprint of what the early church was passionately committed to. The early Christ Followers gathered in homes, shared meals, read the Word, prayed, and worshipped. When you participate in a small group you are following the New Testament pattern.
3) It means serving in some way - at church, in your neighborhood
This church is only as strong as its volunteers. Every week we have 15-20 people who make this happen. If you served in some capacity of the last month, would you please stand. These are the people who are making The EDGE Colorado happen.
Top five ways to serve:
Nursery/Childrens workers
Greeters
Hospitality
Jr High Leaders
Small Group leaders/hosts
Short term commitments
Summerset festival
Workday
Finally today, I want to give you a picture of where we are going
1) We will become that "excellent restaurant" that everyone loves, but no one can find.
2) We will become a beacon of light to southwest Denver, showing the way as we continue to speak the truth in love.
3) Home - for some a home away from home, for others, the home they never had.
Friday, September 03, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Glenn Beck Rally
I am collecting blog posts on the glenn beck rally of the weekend. So far this is what I have found. Are there other ones that you might recommend?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/29/AR2010082903889.html?sid%3DST2010082903985
For the most part, these all seem to point to a Mormon man rallying the conservative Christian right to help return the country to God.
I watched part of it online, and I guess I more or less really enjoyed what I saw. But in this case, it does not seem to be about what was said so much as it is about who said it.
The rally ended with Dave Roever praying. I heard Dave once. He came to my high school to speak at an assembly. I really like that guy. I love the fact that in his prayer he said, God bless our president, and God bless our legislators." Those are words I did not hear much from Mr. Beck.
Here is Dave's prayer:
Thoughts?
Mark
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Thoughts about tomorrows sermon.
I John 5:13-20
13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
16If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
18We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 19We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
21Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
The most bizarre ending to a book of the Bible.
Four parts
1) You have eternal life - the point of the book
2) You can pray with confidence - an additional benefit of the life - communication with God
(a bizarre trip down the "what should we pray" trail.
3) You are safe from the evil one - Deceptively powerful passage about the Jesus being God.
4) Keep yourselves from idols - random closing words - Gladys - drive fast and take chances.
Lets identify the land minds
Two big ones, and one minor one.
1) What is a mortal sin?
2) When we pray for our brother, what happens, or more specifically, what happens in his/her life.
Minor one
Why does John end the book talking about idols?
Preaching points:
When we live a life of confidence, things change. Our expectations change, our prayers change, and our view of the world changes.
When we take the book of John as a whole we see a man who is intent on a purpose. He is the last disciple standing, and he wants to make sure that the trajectory of the Christian faith is solid, and that the lines between the truth and that which is not true is very clear.
As we have been saying of the last few weeks, the assurance that John is giving us is the like the assurance we have when we close our eyes and sit on a chair. We know the chair is there. We know we have eternal life.
This assurance can be seen in the way we love each other, the way we read the Bible, and the way we pray.
This assurance extends into our personal safety. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of death."
This assurance even extends to our ability to discern idols, and to avoid them
Mark Kraakevik
The EDGE Colorado - Live The Message
720-308-4051
www.theedgecolorado.org
To live is Christ, to die is gain.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
When I listen to talk radio my blood pressure goes up. I do not like it at all. Love Public radio-NPR
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Local paper is attacking local state senator for connection to Teen Challenge and its anti-gay position.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Listening to "The Very Best of Nate King Cole" and dreaming about the future.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Monday, August 09, 2010
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Please pray
please pray for the Erbaugh family, worship leader at the Rock of SW. Their youngest child, lincoln just died. Please don't call them just pray.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Friday, June 04, 2010
30 Days of Prayer for The EDGE Colorado, Day Nineteen
Day 19
We have added a few more people to our prayer list. Welcome. You can find the archives of these prayer days at http://markkraakevik.posterous.com/
For our prayer time today, I want us to consider a story from the book of Daniel, chapter 3.
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
This is what I find inspirational about this story. Here are three teenage boys who say, "We will not serve your idol. God can save us from your furnace, and EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, we still will not worship your idol.
As I pray about what I want God to do in my life, I have very specific goals. And it is easy to say, I will worship God and not turn to the idols of this world, because my God is a big God and he will do big things for me. It is much harder to say, and even if he does not do big things, I will still not turn from God to this worlds idols.
For me this boils down to allowing God to be God. He will do what he will do, and I will commit to worshiping him regardless of the circumstances I face.
Remember Paul and Silas singing in the jail cell.
Acts 16: 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
That is just plain crazy, but they committed to praise God regardless of their circumstance.
Please pray with me that The EDGE becomes that kind of a church. We know God can save us (from furnaces and jail cells), and even if he does not, we will sing praises all the louder!!
Specifically today would you pray for:
1) We have planned a graduation party for the neighborhood youth tomorrow. We are hoping for 100 teens.
2) Please continue to pray for Kim Kopp, and others we know who are battling against cancer.
3) Pray for Grant Chinn, who is looking at an expensive car bill right now
4) Pray for those in our congregation looking for jobs.
5) Pray for Lois Kraakevik, as she waits for a hip replacement surgery.
6) Pray for those traveling this week
7) Pray that our services this weekend would be well received. We are focusing on I John 1:5-10.
Thanks for praying,
Mark
Thursday, June 03, 2010
30 Days of Prayer for The EDGE Colorado, Day Eighteen
Day 18
This is one of my favorite Psalms. Today let's pray it over each other:
1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us,
Selah
2 that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
3 May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.
4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.
Selah
5 May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.
6 Then the land will yield its harvest,
and God, our God, will bless us.
7 God will bless us,
and all the ends of the earth will fear him.
_______________
I find three things in this passage that really excite me.
First there is a connection between God being good to us, and all the people praising Him.
Clearly God is given the credit for the blessings He pours out.
Second, the evangelist heart of this Psalm. He is praying that nations sing for joy to God.
Third, there is a "harvest" that happens at just the right time. God's timing is perfect.
Finally, the earth 'fears" God. God is acknowledged as God. He is our creator, and LORD.
May this Psalm be proclaimed over our cities.
Thank for your prayer,
Mark
Mark Kraakevik
The EDGE Colorado - live the message
720-308-4051
We all have demons, don't face your alone***
"Faith is our relationship to and with God. And it is given life and meaning in our relationship to and with each other."
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
30 Days of Prayer for The EDGE Colorado, Day Seventeen
Day 17
Today was the last day of school for our daughters, and thus our schedules change gear. Summer is here.
This is a great time to make some goals. Give some thought to what you want to accomplish by the end of the summer.
What books do you want to read? http://www.librarything.com/catalog/kraakerjack
What local attractions do you want to visit? http://guide.denverpost.com/daytrips/
Where will you spend those quiet moments (in between the frantic moments) this summer? http://www.cariboucoffee.com/page/1/home.jsp
What relationships will you invest in? http://www.facebook.com/pages/Littleton-CO/The-EDGE-colorado/6486078876
What spiritual disciplines do you want to nurture? http://www.renovare.us/SPIRITUALRENEWAL/LivingLikeJesus/WhyLiveLikeJesus/tabid/2501/Default.aspx
Today I would suggest that you make some plans, and then take these plans before the Lord.
I have two favorite verses on this subject:
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
and
Ps 37:4: Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
We are making plans at the EDGE for our summer.
Will you pray with us that we will be able to fully commit our plans to God.
Specifically you can pray for our graduation party this Sat. Night, our participation in the Annual meetings at the end of June, and our missions trip to Brazil in July. We are also spending our summer in I John. Pray that our Sunday mornings are worshipful and that we hear and apply what God is trying to teach us.
Thanks
Mark
Mark Kraakevik
The EDGE Colorado - live the message
720-308-4051
We all have demons, don't face your alone***
"Faith is our relationship to and with God. And it is given life and meaning in our relationship to and with each other."
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Thirty Days of Prayer for The EDGE Colorado, Day Sixteen
Day 16
Once again gentle reader, I thank you for taking the time to pray for us.
Psalm 98
A psalm.
1 Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Today I was thinking about joy. I was remembering that last Sunday we looked at 1 John 1:4, where John says that sharing the gospel makes his joy complete.
I know what joy looks like. I hear it as my kids make up songs, and sing them. As they laugh and play around a pool. Their laughter is contagious.
What does our joy look like? Is it in calling a friend we have not talked to in a while, just to say hi. Is it in helping a neighbor with a chore? Is it found in taking a meal to someone who needs encouragement?
And what steals our joy? Despair, anger, jealousy, laziness, and well...to be honest...just about any sin robs us of joy.
Will pray with me that The EDGE would be filled with joy. That we would find our lives filled to overflowing with joy.
Action step:
1) As part of your prayer time today consider singing a song. You can make it up if you like, but sing a song of joy.
2) Please lift up those at The EDGE who are facing difficult life situations, and pray specifically that they would experience joy.
3) Pray against those sins that still our joy.
4) Praise God with us for the many opportunities we have had recently to celebrate his faithfulness.
Thanks,
Mark
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