"But Is He Real"...?

One sweet Saturday night hangin with my buddy Dave at the Wild Horse Inn. Not only was the ’ship food for the soul, but the beverage we partook of was everything God made taste buds for. Anything named Corsendonk has to be good!
As we were huddled together, minding our own business in this trendy, hip sort of classy joint in Beverly, enjoying discussion about the God of all creation…all of a sudden this woman taps us on the shoulder and asks “what in the world are you guys so intensely talking about”? My first reaction in my mind was “are we that loud”? We really weren’t. But somehow, she was drawn into our little roundtable. As I quickly thought about her question I simply told her the truth. “Jesus Christ” I said to her. She sort of unexpectedly stepped back and began to process that one…(I can’t imagine for a moment she got dressed that evening, drove up to Beverly from Boston to meet some friends and even once considered that she would soon meet 2 guys talking “so intensely” about Jesus Christ!) We continued to ask her if she knew of ANYONE who could match the glory, beauty, wisdom of Jesus Christ and the way He interacted with people of all sorts and what He accomplished in His death and resurrection for people like us? She conceded with a puzzled “no”. We continued to fill her in on our conversation. And then came her million $ question:
“But is He real”?

Now please, take a moment to think upon the truth and implications of that most profound question from a woman, all dolled-up on a Saturday night, with maybe no place to go…!

Signs

Ever Read Luther???

Martin Luther
Commentary on Galatians

I recall reading Luther's Commentary on Galatians for the first time in 1993. How impacted my Christian life was (and is) by what I read that day, as I surveyed the Declaration. While reading it, I called out to several of my roomates something like: "if this guy is saying what I think he is, this stuff is incredible." It was this paragraph in particular that arrested my attention and sparked in me an intense desire to read the entire commentary...several times now since those days in California. I pass this on to you for your edification...I could not recommend it enough...really. A reminder of good news, great news, radical news for a sin-sick soul!
(click on "Ever Read Luther" for the entire commentary)

"The greatest knowledge and the highest wisdom of Christians is not to know the law and to be ignorant of works, and of the whole active righteousness, especially when the conscience is wrestling with God. Contrary, among those who are not of God's people, the greatest wisdom is to know and to urge the law and the active righteousness. But it is a strange thing and unknown to the world to teach Christians to be ignorant of the law and to live before God as if there were no law; notwithstanding, except you be ignorant of the law and be assuredly persuaded in his heart there is now no law, nor wrath of God, but only grace and mercy for Christ's sake, you cannot be saved; for by the law comes the knowledge of sin. Conversely, works and the keeping of the law is strictly required in the world, as if there were no promise, or grace. " -Martin Luther 1523

DAO @ CORE...

vista:::

“a vibrant, holistic, biblical 21st century church”
…centered on God, captivated by Jesus Christ, for a living expression…

to see…This is faith in Jesus Christ
to behold The Lord and Savior of the world – who He is, why He came and how He impacts every aspect of life.

to savor…This is worship of God
to contemplate the glorious splendor of His Majesty - to thoughtfully absorb and enjoy the profound wonders of His eternal glory.

to show forth…This is love for man
to creatively demonstrate to others the manifold ways that God has expressed His goodness, mercy and grace toward mankind.

This community of Christians will hold the Bible in high regard as the spiritual foundation to all we believe and do. In particular, we will focus upon the doctrines of grace*, in which Jesus Christ is always and in all ways central and supreme, that is, matchless! Since He is the greatest reality in the universe, He is worthy of our deepest passion to enjoy, worship and serve.

We will approach our cultural context with godly sensitivity, creativity and uncompromising convictions, by both living out and proclaiming the timeless message of a real God who has provided a real Savior for real sinners, lest one face real judgment. Our contextual approach will, under God, be free from self-righteous judgmentalism and free from pretense of all sorts, accepting people from all walks of life - just as they are - and introducing them to a God who cares enough not to leave them there!

Therefore, by cultivating Biblical literacy that produces heartfelt worship, the pulse of this community will be founded upon a vibrant, healthy and Biblical discovery of…
“Jesus Christ, who loved me and gave Himself for me”

*doctrines of grace:
God -a high view of the sovereignty, holiness and glory of God
Guilt -a truthful view of man’s state before his Maker
Grace -a clear view of the “unmerited” nature of Christ’s love
Gratitude -a comprehensive view of true good works

New Light to my Soul

Spent some time reading Ephesians with my wife last night and afterwards feebly praying, so I thought. Reread chapter 1 today and was greatly encouraged. What struck me today is that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. It was the particulars that are unfolded which began to whet my soul:
He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…
He predestined us to adoption…
He freely bestowed His grace on us…
In Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins…
He lavished on us the riches of His grace…
He made known to us the mystery of His will…
We obtained an inheritance, having been predestined…
We were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise…
A pledge of our inheritance…

Along with the Apostle Paul, I too pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

Real reason to get up out of bed and Praise God