Integrity & Skill

So he (David) shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. Psalm 78:72
I need to keep my heart clean - faithful - honest - open - soft - whole. I can't afford to have a lack of integrity, for even though I can fool lots of people, God knows my heart. May it be clean. And may the Lord help me pastor Cornerstone with skill - skill that is natural, and skills that have been learned. I want to be a better pastor all the time. Lord, please help be me be a skillful man of God, shepherding Your flock.

A Practical Sermon - Grow Up!

In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. Matthew 5:48
This is the conclusion of Matthew 5, the 1/3 of the sermon on the mount.
Grow up. Live who you are in the Kingdom. Generous and gracious to others, just like God. I hear in this "Stop being petty". People are important - treat them well. They are VERY important, more important than your stuff when you are sued. Purity isn't just a matter of our bodies, it's a matter of our hearts. There is so much in this passage - I need to memorize it.

Out of Balance

Well, it's been quite a while since I recorded a blog entry. Our national leaders conference has come and gone, and what a great time it was. It was so nice to be with Daniel Brown again. I'm amazed at how he makes me feel like I'm his friend. The season of Resurrection is upon us, and I'm diverting from our regular Bible reading to speak on Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday. Palm Sunday will most likely be about the triumphal entry, while I am planning on talking about the Second Coming on Resurrection Sunday. Next week I am in Kimberley and Cranbrook, and on Good Friday we are hosting a Seder. Lots going on and I want to make sure that I have time for the Lord, our family, our church family, people who don't know Jesus. This season has been very busy but I am thankful for the strength God has given me, and now I am attempting to slow down. I need to learn how to live slow in a busy season. Thanks be to God that He is always with me.