Word of Beard

'We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.' Hebrews 2:1

To diligently be aware of and devoted to the teachings of Christ - the Gospel. The apostles gave their lives in Christs footsteps so that we might 'continue in [truths found in] the Holy Scriptures' (2 Tim. 3).

It's surprisingly easy to drift away from eternal truths. The less care we take to hold them in our hearts, the easier it is to fall for another 'truth.'

Word of Beard

'You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.' James 5:8

James compared the Christ-followers journey to the seasonal rains of his day. As the 'firstfruits' of a new covenant, we're to patiently wait, perseverant, hope-filled and faithful for the movement of the Lord just as the struggling farmer waits for rain to water the crops.

Patiently and eagerly wait for the Kingdom to overwhelmingly collide with your life. He is near.

Now Testify...

If we only had the NT it would be enough to know that Jesus is who He claimed to be.

But we have more. We have the entire OT (not to mention nature and all that's metaphysical). The OT tells the story of Jesus pre-kenosis - or pre-humility into humanity.

To the Jews Jesus had riled up after claiming equality with God Jesus said, 'You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me' John 5:39.

They believed eternal life was found in strict adherence to the Law. The Torah. And yet Jesus was turning the page on their beliefs. The very Law that they believed led to life actually pointed to Jesus. Let's get mystical, mystical (Olivia Newton John anyone?) - think of it like this, the Jews were merely looking at the Scriptures to stave off death when they should have been looking through the Scriptures to see His Life. The Sciptures point to the Living Word, the Son of God, the very Man standing before them - Christ.

Jesus simply told them to search the Scriptures and they'd find Him. OK:
  Isaiah 7:14 - Jesus' birth - Matthew 1:23
  Psalm 16:10 - Resurrection - Acts 2:31
  Zechariah 11:12-13 - Price for Jesus' life - Matthew 26:15, 27:5,7
  Genesis 49:10 - From the Tribe of Judah - Hebrews 7:14
  Isaiah 61:1-2 - Holy Spirit on Him - Luke 4:15-21

Maybe it's not so mystical. We know that Scripture is God-breathed, that it's living and active and that it's to be handled with the utmost care. Maybe it's simply a matter of prayer, study, belief and Sprit. Supernatural, but maybe not mystical.

There are hundreds more examples. Entire passages, stories and characters such as: the Exodus, Temple, Jonah, Hosea, Babylonian Captivity etc. and all tell pieces of the story of the eternal life of Christ.

Since Scriptures origin is also the author of the universe (2 Peter 1:20-21), it stands to reason that when Jesus claimed to be the true life found within the Scriptures...he wasn't insane, lying nor exaggerating - He was providing authentic testimony to His own being.

Ada Update...

It's been a great ride.

Ada Kathleen is beautiful, like that of her maker. I've posted a few last pics on the 'Baby' page rounding off our adventure to the hospital and back again.

Enjoy. Hopefully she'll be meeting you soon enough.

With Love, Ada.

The Golden Girl...

'Even in darkness the light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.' Psalm 112

There's a perverted notion in various Christian communities that a genuinely righteous man will also be a financially blessed man/woman. As if grace, compassion and moral righteousness could be weighed and measured in gold here on earth. As if any man were able to muster up righteousness from within worthy of God.

My wife gave birth to our second child this week, a daughter, Ada. She's a tangible example (if not contextual) of light that dawns for the 'upright'. A brilliant gift symbolizing life and it's creator. My wife and I would never claim to be upright and yet in Christ we're forgiven, justified, sanctified...heirs to the heavenly throne alongside Christ.

This brilliant little light wasn't a gift we found within ourselves. It's from God.

One chapter before, in Psalm 111 we read, 'his righteousness endures forever...the Lord is gracious and compassionate.' The very same attributes given to the upright.

Any semblance of holiness we might display that sets us up to receive such a beautiful gift as Ada only comes from the God who models it. Money is necessary, it's a blessing to be sure...but it isn't the defining symbol of a righteous man. God is the definition and the symbol.

He cannot be weighed in gold. Neither can the blessings of a righteous man.

Can you imagine your entire life being analogous of Gods plan for His people. Read Hosea.

Branding...

Whether you realize it or not, everything you do works for or against your personal brand. Your beliefs, culture, friends, clothing, cars, music etc. all play a role in shaping who you are. To varying degrees they're a glimpse of who you are: how you think, how you view yourself and the world.

But if every tangible item, action, desire that you feel defines you were stripped away - if you were left naked as a new-born-babe - would your brand also disappear or is there more to who you?

The real question is: 'Is Christ your brand?'

Are you a 'cattle-branded' disciple (Philippians 2:1-11)? Have you been bought out and transformed into something new and refreshing (2 Corinthians 5:17)?

When you 'ascend the hill of the Lord' are you coming with empty hands in need of branding or are you presenting your own image you wish to offer Him?

Take personal inventory. Do you need to re-brand?

Idea of branding from POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
Psalm 24 - hill of the Lord