Elliott's Muses

Recently I taught from a passage in Luke and mentioned that when the scripture says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge" from Proverbs, it is talking about a "fear" that is much more about respect, honor, and a willingness to yield our will to the "way" of the Lord. Jesus had said, "don't fear the one who can destroy the body"...speaking of Kings, rulers, those in authority - even the Pharisees who would eventually see that he is put to death on the cross.  Rather he said, "fear the one who has the power to put the body, soul and spirit in hell..."  That is a fear that is real.  It is a recognition that our lives are ultimately held in His will and it is wise to remember that. In all of this, I see Secure Fear... Jesus said, John 6:37 (NIV) 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. Charles Spurgeon - over 140 years ago - spoke of this: "No l...

It's a Monday, middle of summer, hot, dry, and relatively quiet here.  We need Rain badly, but there many other needs also. This is not just a theological blog today...it's more of a pastoral one. I awoke this morning with a "heavy" sense of needs out there among people in our fellowship, and with friends. Kim's surgery is still to occur today...let's pray all goes well there. Rick has surgery coming up that will be much more major than before...and Oh Lord, please let this be the last one he needs. Harley is a long ways away fighting for our country and needs angels to watch over and his heart to be for God in all that he does.  Pray for Doug and Heather too. Courtney is well on her journey...Ireland still I think...and Rob and Sue are at home...let's keep praying Linda Fischer's dad and his recovery needs... Keith Gundlach is still in the hospital... Wally's sister's needs, and Wally's own physical needs. Scott and Lona in a ma...

I awoke this morning thinking about praying for healing for several people.  Our church's worship on Sunday morning takes time to allow people to ask for prayer...most do not.  Some do.  When someone asks for prayer, I take it seriously.  It's my chief role as a Pastor - to guide our fellowship towards a relational prayer as community before God. I often imagine coming before the Father with Jesus to ask for things.  It is a good way to imagine since it keeps me from trivializing things.  By "trivializing", I don't mean small things.  There are many small things to ask God for.  But trivial things are usually very self-orienting.  They usually are things that have to do with my own personal comfort and desires.  I don't think it's wrong to ask God for rain, for safety, for success in endeavors...but it is quite a different thing to ask for my team to get a touchdown, or a win. In reading the Desert Fathers this summer I realize the im...

Hi all, Happy Fourth of July.  By my rendering we are celebrating our 236 birthday!!!!  Not quite to Methuselah yet, but it's a good start. I awoke this morning thinking about this Fourth of July and how we discover and really live in freedom.  Of course, there is no freedom outside of Christ.  I didn't say that, Jesus did.   John 8:34 (NIV)  34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. and just a verse or two later, he says, John 8:36 (NIV) 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. What God has done for us in Christ is bring us out of a place where the master of our souls is the Fallen nature...not to say we can't or won't sin; but Sin is not our Master, as long as we seek a life in Christ, and seek His Kingdom first in our lives.  Consider this: Exodus 6:6 (NIV) 6 "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you...

Let's read slowly the passage from Romans 8 before I start on this continued idea of person and choices. Romans 8:1-27 (NIV) 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. ...