Jerry Linnins's Posts (4)

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Discipleship as a PROCESS not an EVENT

In my vocation, I do problem-solving, performance improvement work. Over the years, I have worked in healthcare, state/federal governments, non-profits, engineering and construction, and biotechnology. One of the biggest challenges I have faced is to get those with whom I engage/consult to see improvement as a process and not an event. Many in the church are likewise disinclined to see discipleship as a process instead preferring to see it as an event. Much like the proverbial child in the backseat of the car on a long trip (to them!), we keep crying out, "Are we THERE yet?!" In our 60 second sound bite, attention deficit, and etch-a-sketch world, it is challenging - at best - to stay on The Way for the long view. So much of the Bible speaks to this proclivity of believers to get weary, want to stop, to turn around and go back to our own personal "Egypt," or to just plant ourselves at some point in development as a disciple that we can look back and see we are "better" than we were (than others are) and that we can look forward and see there is yet a place for us to grow up/in to so we have a built in excuse of, "I'm not THERE yet."

 

Just me...

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FAITH IS...

Reading John Piper's FUTURE GRACE. Wonderful read and lots of good thoughts on both faith and grace.

 

While the classic definition of faith is the one from Hebrews 11, I was wondering...what is your favorite definition of faith?

 

 

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ONE WORD...

Ever hear a song or jingle and just not be able to get it out of your head? Not too long ago, I attended the Fall Leadership Conference at Jack Hayford's Church on the Way. The worship leader led us in a worship song called, ONE WORD FROM GOD.

One word from God can make everything new again...everythings better with one word from God...so speak Lord and I will listen, show me your word...guide me today.

That song has blessed me SO much. I have it on my iPhone and on a CD in my car. I have about worn both completely out.

Reading the letter from Paul to his beloved son in the faith, Timothy, I was impressed by a verse (2 Tim. 1:13):

"Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith, and love which are in Christ Jesus."

The "one word" that is speaking to me is RETAIN. As a disciple of Christ, I see so much erosion of "sound words" in the Body of Christ. Everything is done like an "Etch-a-Sketch." We rapidly sketch a worship song, sermonette, and a quick prayer we copied out of a book somewhere and then, shake-shake-shake, we are ready for the next "hit" of spiritually. The Church seems in need of a constant "fix" of the latest, greatest. Nothing seems to "stick." No stamina, no continuity, no cohesion.

I read a quote somewhere that said, "When everything is amplified, nothing is heard." I guess that is why the Scriptures tell us..."Be still and know that I am God." In the silence, in the "unplugged," unamplified moments of life, we can pause and catch that still, small voice and ONE WORD for us, for you, for me...

JESUS, Name above all names...
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GREAT READ - John Piper, THINK!

Just finished Piper's new book, THINK. It is a wonderful call for us - individually and collectively as the Church - to think, to read, to reason, to meditate on our faith and on the glories of our God and our Savior Jesus the Christ. I found myself wanting to highlight almost every paragraph. Piper has a way with words that makes you think, that lead you to deep questions, and always points you to the Holy Spirit and The Bible as the sources for the answers. I heartily recommend this book to read, to share, and to THINK about.
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