Thought for the End of the Week
Today is Saturday and here I am at the office accomplishing a few things for tomorrow. I praise the Lord for the week that has been and look forward to the week that will be. My hope and prayer is that God has revealed more of Himself to you so that you may delight more in Him. C.S. Lewis gave a great depiction of how God reveals more and more of Himself to us as Lucy talks to the great lion Aslan (the Christ figure) in the book Prince Caspian.
The great beast rolled over on his side so that Lucy fell,
half sitting and half lying between his front paws. He bent
forward and just touched her nose with his tongue. His warm
breath came all round her. She gazed up into the large wise face.
"Welcome, child," he said.
"Aslan," said Lucy, "you're bigger."
"That is because you are older, little one," he answered.
"Not because you are?"
"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."
Favorites Week - Pastimes
I made it - a whole work week worth of posts! Today, I decided to post on some favorite ways to pass the time. Some of these activities I get to do regularly while a few of them are on rare occasions. Yet, each pastime is a way for me to relax and renew my energy. Once again, each entry is found in no particular order.
1.) Travel
I admit that I love to be on the road and see new places. The beauty of God's creation is something to behold and I hope in the future to see more spectacular sights around the world. Some of my favorite locals are Estes Park in Colorado, the Pacific coastline of California, and the beaches of Florida.
2.) Spending Time with Family and Friends
Playing with my son and putting together a puzzle; spending time with my wife at dinner; having a conversation with friends. There is just something about quality time with friends and famiy that is rejuvinating and rewarding.
3.) Playing Golf
Just for the record, I am horrific at playing golf, yet I enjoy it immensely. I do not get to play very often, but there is something about being outdoors and playing a friendly round of golf. Plus, as a bonus for those who go with me - they always know they won't come in last place.
4.) Reading
A good book is worth its weight in gold. I am usually in multiple books at the same time. Right now I am reading The Nature of God by Arthur Pink, Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham, and just for fun Indiana Jones and the Sky Pirates by Martin Caiden.
5.) Studying Scripture
Digging deep into God's Word is the most rewarding way I spend my time, and the most unbelievable part of it all is that I am paid to do this activity. Right now I am delving deeper and deeper into the gospel of John and loving every minute of it.
Favorites Week - Television Stations
I try not to watch too much television, but on some occasions it is a welcome period of rest. I have to admit that I don't watch too many shows on the broadcast networks because we have come a long way from the days of Andy Griffith. However, there are several channels that tend to become favorites on the remote. Here they are in no particular order.
1. ESPN
It seems that this channel is my default during the days of college football, and is least watched during the long days of summer when professional baseball is on every hour. Yet, with Sportscenter it seems that this channel is viewed for at least a few minutes every day.
2. Fox News
I seem to watch less of the news than I did several years ago and to a large degree this is on purpose. It seems that after an hour of news I was upset about something and so I have had to cut back and remind myself that God's kingdom is primary. Yet, when I want to know what is going on in the world, this is my station of choice.
3. Food Network
I used to laugh about the idea of a station focused totally upon food. Now, it is one of my most watched due to the programs Dinner Impossible; Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; and Iron Chef: America. I discovered this station while searching for some clean entertainment on TV.
4. History Channel
I love the past, and history was aways my favorite subject in school. This channel is filled with great documentaries about every past society and their biographies of great lives are always well done.
5. USA Network
I do not watch this network much during the week, but it makes my list of favorites because of two shows that Summer and I enjoy. Monk and Psych air every Friday and it is a time when we sit down as a couple and enjoy some television after Ethan goes to bed. Both shows are funny and well written. Hopefully both will continue to air for some time.
By the way:
Although I don't intend to post on my favorite shows, 24 is my favorite series. Please don't tell me what happens though, because I won't watch this season until it appears on DVD later in the year. I just can't take the cliff hangers.
Favorites Week - Fast Food
I try not to eat fast food too often because of its health content, yet I must admit that when I do, I enjoy it. In moderation, such food is a treat. There are a number of places that could make the list, but as with the other posts this week I have limited it to five. As I sit and write this list, I recognize that such enjoyment is a blessing from God, who has graciously allowed us the privilege of finding such pleasure in food. I thank Him for that with gratitude. So read and enjoy for maybe you also share a fondness for these eateries. (Once again this list is in no particuar order.)
1. Panda Express -
Chinese food that is always hot and fresh. I don't think I have ever had an entree that has been sitting in a warming tray for hours. Their orange chicken is by far the best choice on the menu. Their locations are spread out over the nation.
2. What-a-burger -
A Texas tradition. I had my first visit to this chain when at seminary in Fort Worth. As far as hamburgers go, this is my place of choice. Also, they have really good honey chicken biscuits for breakfast.
3. Milo's -
My favorite fast food stop when I go back home to Alabama. There is just something about the special sauce they put on the hamburgers and their sweet tea is the best around. You will not find this restaurant outside the state, so Sweet Home Alabama proves true here.
4. Taco Bueno -
I love Mexican food and for some reason this place and its greasy food tastes better to me than Taco Bell. Muchacos, tacos, and plenty of salsa...if it weren't so far to Houston I could have this place more often.
5. In-and-Out Burger
A southern California favorite and a place that I will get to frequent when I travel there in a few weeks. The small burgers are addictive so it is probably good I am separated by so many miles from this place for most of the year. If you ever spot one, it is a good place to stop.
Favorites Week - Preachers
Today is Tuesday and I am researching the text for my next sermon. Since I preach every week one opportunity I am not afforded is the blessing of hearing others preach the Word on a weekly basis. This however, does not stop me from being fed throughout the week. I listen to the preaching and teaching of godly individuals in the form of books and audio sermons. Below are my five favorite preachers in no particular order.
1. John Owen (1616-1683)
This English Puritan's writings are both rich in truth and devotional in nature. Combining these two aspects of preaching is difficult and few do it well. My favorite works of Owen thus far are The Mortification of Sin and Communion with God. It is hard to read Owen and not walk away with a greater knowledge of God.
2. Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
This American preacher and theolgian was a pastor during the First Great Awakening. His works are more difficult to read than most, but the reward is rich! His logical thought to the Biblical text is straightforward and the breadth of his scope expansive.
3. Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
This Baptist minister preached for years to the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. He is still known as the Prince of Preachers and a simple sampling of his sermons explains why the title was given. His sermons are still in wide circulation and easy to find in any Christian book store.
4. James Montgomery Boice (1938-2000)
This minister pastored the Tenth Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia for many years and was one of the great preachers of the twentieth century. His commentaries are both easy to read and deep in truth.
5. John MacArthur (1939 - )
The best living voice for the gospel. He preaches the Bible by expositing the text with more clarity and depth than anyone else. He is the preacher of our times.
Favorites Week - Films
Okay. So my posting has been a little sporadic and I confess my efforts to make it consistent have thus far failed. In an effort to discipline myself, I am determined to make a post every day of this work week. To help me do so, I have instituted favorites week. Each day I intend to share some of my favorites in certain categories...today is in the category of movies. So in no particular order, here are my top five favorite films. If you haven't seen one of the films on the list, you can consider it to be a recommendation from me for your next movie night. Enjoy!
1. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) - A film conncerning a naive, yet idealistic young man who finds himself thrust into the spotlight when he is appointed by the governor to fill a vacant Senate seat. Once in Washington, he discovers that he is surrounded by corruption and stages a fight for truth and justice. The fillibuster scene is one the greatest moments in cinema.
2. High Noon (1952) - A lawmen is thrust into the position of defending a town from a gunslinger arriving on the noon train. Left alone by the cowardly townspeople, the sheriff stands alone for justice when no one else will stand with him. A wonderful film extoling the virtue of standing up for what is right even when others refuse.
3. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) - In a small southern town, racism runs high. A black man is accused of a terrible crime and put on trial. Everyone is ready to condemn the man except one lawyer who agrees to take the case. The story is told through the eyes of the lawyer's daughter as she learns about life and truth from the best of examples - her father!
4. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - If adventure had a name it would be Indiana Jones. I agree with the statement for this movie takes its place as the greatest adventure film ever made. Henry Jones Jr. treks around the globe to find the lost Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis.
5. Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) - I know...I know...it is three films; but isn't is really just one story? This epic set of films is majestic in grandeur and infused with Biblical truth. In the quest to destroy the one ring, Frodo and his companions fight against evil and struggle against the pull of the ring. Who can't watch this film and not see Christ's return shadowed in Gandolf's ride down into Helm's Deep and humanity's sin exposed through the corruption of giving into the ring. An excellent story with more truth than we see on the surface. In my opinion this is the greatest trilogy ever put on film.
Inauguration Day Thoughts
Viewing the grand spectacle which unfolded today and the hope of so many in what man can achieve I am reminded that such hope goes unrealized. Mankind does not possess the wisdom or the strength to solve the world's problem. We are the world's problem. We need a Savior, and I praise the Lord that He gave us Jesus. I will pray for the president and God's hand to be strongly upon him, but my hope is in a person far greater than the one who sits in the Oval Office. My hope rests in the one who reigns eternally from His heavenly throne. So today more than ever I stand with those who in Hebrews 11:13-16 "confessed that they were strangers and exiles on earth. For those who say such things make it clear they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had the opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them." Here is my reminder of true home...and my residence in that unshakeable kingdom gives me hope for today!
