DunnCo

Christ is our All

2010-10-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

God chose the foolish, the weak, the low and the despised so that no human being might boast. And because of God we are in Christ Jesus who is our all, our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, our redemption. What is there to boast of? "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord"

Based on 1 Cor 1:26-31

Slighted In Community

2010-07-05T07:02:00.000-07:00

"What does it matter if I suffer injustice [from others in the community]? Would I not have deserved even more severe punishment from God if God had not treated me with mercy? Is not justice done to me a thousand times over even in injustice? … Those who live by justification by grace are prepared to accept even insults and slights without protest, taking them as from God’s chastising and gracious hand."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith In Community (thanks to Vitamin Z)

Play The Man

2010-06-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

"Whatever troubles come, let us play the man; let us show that we are not such little children as to be cast down by what may happen in this poor fleeting state of time. Our country is Immanuel’s land, our hope is above the sky, and therefore, calm as the summer’s ocean; we will see the wreck of everything earth-born, and yet rejoice in the God of our salvation."

From Spurgeon's Morning and Evening.

Firm In Faith

2009-10-06T05:54:00.000-07:00

"If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all" Isa 7:9b

Though the context is a little different, the message is the same. When our faith is strong, we can be a pillar in the worst of storms. When our faith is weak, we sway in the lightest of breezes. Make my faith strong Lord.

True Worship

2009-09-15T04:58:00.000-07:00

"Worship must have heart and worship must have head. Worship must engage your emotions and worship must engage your thought. Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full of unspiritual fighters. Emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates flaky people who reject the discipline of rigorous thought. True worship comes from people who are deeply emotional and who love deep and sound doctrine." John Piper on John 4:23

Don't Be A Fruitless Sap

2009-05-13T05:50:00.001-07:00

This is quoted by Jonathan Edwards in Religious Affections:

“To profess to know much is easy; but to bring your affections into subjection, to wrestle with lusts, to cross your wills and yourselves, upon every occasion, this is hard. The Lord looketh, that in our lives we should be serviceable to him, and useful to men. That which is within, the Lord and our brethren are never better for it: but the outward obedience, flowing thence, glorifieth God and does good to men. The Lord will have this done. What else is the end of our planting and watering, but that the trees may be filled with sap? And what is the end of that sap, but that the trees may bring forth fruit? What careth the husbandman for leaves, and barren trees?” John Preston, The Church’s Carriage, The Golden Scepter with the Church’s Marriage and the Church’s Carriage in Three Treatises (London, 1638), pp.101-102

Praise God For Exposed Sin!

2009-04-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

The exposing of hidden sin is a great thing for the life of the Christian. Something to even rejoice in! There are so many sins that lie dormant in our lives, but God in his work to sanctify us doesn’t allow them to remain. Praise God! In his love, many a times he brings us to our knees through trial or external pressure to reveal these hidden sins.

What are the benefits?

Repentance: We may go before the Lord humbly asking his forgiveness and rejoicing in the work of Christ on the cross and knowing peace with God.

Love: Our love for Christ grows as we realize more and more how undeserving we are of His love.

Humility: The exposure of our sin reminds us again that we are incapable of anything good outside of the work of Christ in us.

Dependence and Prayer: As we see our sin exposed and feel the pain of it, we find no strength over it other than going again to God, pleading for His continued work in us.

Love of Others: We are slower to judge harshly the sinfulness of others and more likely to love them and hurt for them.

The Word: Along with prayer, it drives us back to the promises in God’s Word. Seeking strength in knowing the truth. Seeking power over sin through the reading and meditation on it.

Pilgrim Perspective: Feeling the pain of sin and the weariness of the fight against it, we desire Christ’s return all the more and to be done with this world. We see that this is not our home nor do we want it to be. We move forward serving God more and ourselves less.

May we always be willing and regularly pray that God would expose our sin. May our hearts desire God and His glory more than our own. May we be willing to be weak, that his strength may be shown.

What can we do about marriages?

2009-04-13T05:24:00.000-07:00

Paul Tripp’s answer to the question:

“A) Pray. Don’t just pray for outside the church; pray for the church. B) We need to teach, teach, teach, teach, teach. I think if you’re in a fairly good-sized evangelical Bible-believing church, there ought to be a marriage class every Sunday-School quarter. There ought to be marriage curriculums for folks in small groups. Pastors ought to be preaching on this issue. There ought to be counseling help available. Mature believers ought to be getting with young couples and talking about their experiences and sharing wisdom. We’ve just got to fight for this issue. It is a huge threat to the vitality of the church, and it needs to be a priority.”

Messy Marriages in the Hands of a Gracious God
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2009/04/12/messy-marriages-in-hands-of-gracious/

Anxiety

2009-01-30T05:46:00.000-08:00

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. (Ps 127:1,2)

Oh how foolish we are! We proclaim God’s sovereignty, his love, his great wisdom and yet at the first sign of trouble we become anxious. Our faith is weak Lord, make us strong. May we show the world around us that we have a greater hope. Not in weak political systems, rulers, powerful armies or economic systems. Make our faith strong, set our sights and our hearts on your glory alone and may we be willing to sacrifice all for it!

A Prayer for the Sleeping Church

2008-12-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

Posted at the Ambassador's blog:
http://v7pc-ambassadors.org/2008/12/10/a-prayer-for-the-sleeping-church/

Abbreviated Jesus

2008-11-18T13:52:00.000-08:00

Here are some quotes:

"I’m getting the feeling that we’re talking about a kind of “mini-Jesus.” A diluted, declawed, demoted savior who is a symbolic representation for a kind of anemic, watered-down, unBiblical, culturally acceptable Jesus."

"I actually think the abbreviated Jesus doesn’t like to be bothered with issues of morality, character or behavior. He’s mostly interested in larger political and cultural issues, or your experience at your local church, or how you’re doing in your relationships."

"In fact- and this is what really got my attention- the abbreviated Jesus would only get crucified if there were some terrible mix-up."

Full Article

Missional Rap

2008-11-07T12:22:00.001-08:00

My music interests are quite varied. I came across this "Christian Rap" on Pandora. Listen to the lyrics, very good. I copied the lyrics below as well.

I seen it with my own two,
there's no way i can show you
a perfectly poverty stricken people with no view.
And i bet you can't believe this,
they never heard of jesus.
Heard of young buck, lil wayne, and young jeezy.

No one's signing up to go on missions this summer.
Rather sit at home and watch Xzibit pimping a hummer

while a nine year old is shot down.
No one's screaming 'stop now!'
no bridge illustrations for criminals who on lock down.

People deep in africa
looking for an answer bra'.
In china man,
they're dying man,
until they know who died for sins.
So look what grace did.
Not for us to stay hid

inside our comfort zones
at home in mama's basement.

Get out on the grind y'all.
Ain't no better time dawg.
I know y'all read the great commission.
Let me just remind y'all:
make disciples of the nations.
Teach em to obey the Lord.
Hate to never lead someone to Christ before I face the Lord.

Send me I'll go,
Send me I'll go,
Send me I'll go,
lemme go lemme go!
(repeat x4)

Hey! After, 1,000 years in the west and the church is
get'n bigger daily without understanding worship. (say what?)

Some regenerated but a lot ain't saved.
You walk outside and be surprised cuz the block ain't changed.
And the numbers, they be getting em.

Something just ain't hit'n them.
America ain't christian they just practicing a ritual.

That's why we should be missional.
Hey, what you think i'm spit'n for?
The united states is dying
and in the east it's looking pitiful.

Some places if they catch you
they'll arrest you.
They'll serve you,
but they still need the word too.
The gospel should be heard too.
We claim we ain't ashamed,
but we ain't hit the block up.
Were in our christian bubble,
while our brotha's get'n locked up.
Lord i wanna stock up,
pack a bag and walk up
in a country where sharing my faith may get me shot up
anywhere i go, whether my city or far abroad,
i just wanna show them Jesus Christ the risen holy God.

Send me I'll go,
send me I'll go,
send me I'll go,
lemme go lemme go!
(repeat x4)

Represent! Get Crunk! If you know you're reppin' Jesus, go ahead and throw it up!

Meditating on God's Word

2008-11-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

Posted on the Ambassador's blog.

Eternal Investments

2008-09-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

John MacArthur:

"...People in our society are wealthier than any civilization in the history of man. Sadly, they rapidly squander their blessings on things that cannot last. If our treasure reveals the condition of our hearts (v. 21), this generation is in serious spiritual trouble. Our buying habits show little concern for anything of eternal value."

"Perhaps the saddest observation of all is that the spending habits of people in the church differ little from those of the world. The lifestyles of most professing Christians are not substantially different from anyone else’s. Too many in the church have adopted the world’s indulgent attitude toward money. Almost every form of materialistic extravagance and excess has found its way into the fellowship of believers. It is as if the church has forgotten Jesus’ mandate to invest in eternity."

"Hosea 13:6 sums up this tragic disparity: “Being satisfied, their heart became proud; therefore, they forgot Me.” When we become prosperous, we become proud. Then we forget God. Frankly, for most peple persecution is easier to endure than prosperity. In other words, there is a clear connection between your attitude toward money and your spiritual health. Where you invest your treasure reveals where you have set your trust and affections. That is why the Lord had so much to say about money."

(my emphasis)

There are several other warnings in Scripture that apply more than ever to the U.S. church.

"Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God,..." (Deut 8:11-14 ESV)

Read the entire article

John Piper and the Prosperity Gospel

2008-09-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

I love this and blogging it just so I won't forget about it.

Summer With My Sons

2008-07-18T17:43:00.000-07:00

It has been a fun summer with the boys so far. Our adventures have included the Manitou Incline, their second 14er (Mt. Sherman) and this week they got their first plane ride.

Mt. Sherman

The boys looking back at Mt. Sherman on the way down. Riley didn't quite make it to the top, got a little sick.

Riley sliding down a snow field on Mt. Sherman and Samuel heading up for his second ride.

Plane Ride

I think the boys had more fun playing on their headsets than the actual flight. That was until we started doing some tricks.

Yes, the plane is as big as it looks.

Headed back to Colorado Springs.

James 2

2008-07-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

Posted on the Ambassador Blog. Someday I'll post to my own blog.

Be Zealous!

2008-06-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

Posted on the Ambassador's blog.

Prayer

2008-06-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

This last Sunday a couple came to our community with their mom, Lucy. I sat and prayed with them at their table and had the honor to hear Lucy pray. Hearing her pray showed me how lacking is my relationship with Christ. I’m not sure how to explain it, but her prayers had an intimacy that I have not heard before. Every word that she prayed attested to her close communion with God. Lord, grant to me that same closeness, that same oneness with you that I heard in Lucy.

Christian, What Do You Deserve?

2008-05-06T18:50:00.000-07:00

Posted on the Ambassador blog.

Sharing our Joy in Christ

2008-04-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

"...The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.” (Mark 4:26-27 ESV)

"With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." (Mark 4:30-32)

It is through the foolish words of common people such as us that God uses to spread the gospel. God takes our clumsy words and does his mighty work, bringing about an entire crop of fruit if he so desires. Let us not worry about the words we will say, but be zealous to share the joy we have in Christ.

May our joy in Christ overcome our fear of becoming a spectacle to the world and lead us to become willing fools for Christ.

Blessed are we to be used by God!

Finding Hope

2008-04-02T03:43:00.000-07:00

And crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." For he was saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" Mark 5:7-8 ESV

Not only do Satan’s minions recognize Christ for who he is, they know that their only hope is in God’s mercy. How quickly I forget to call upon God. It is so easy to become dependent on the wealth that God has provided instead of his rich mercy. Many of times it takes trials beyond what I think I have in myself to push me to dependence upon God.

May my full hope, trust and faith lie in Christ alone, may I be quick to seek Christ in all things.

Holding Loosely

2008-02-29T09:44:00.000-08:00

God is mighty and all-powerful.

For some reason the thought of losing everything (materially speaking) has filled my mind. Most likely because this is a reality for a couple families I know right now. It hurts me to see how much my children have, so much that they can’t keep it all together, so much it overflows their bedroom and our unfinished basement. In a country rich as ours it is a difficult task to teach and to know the lessons of appreciation and holding loosely when everything seems at our beckon call (though it never seems enough).

Would I be okay to lose it all (nice house, material goods, good job)? God assures me he will provide for my faith, but not for my greedy materialism. That being said, how anxious would I be? Through God’s bringing me to him and my own stupidity, I have lost everything before. Now I have much more though. How can I hold loosely to these things and teach my family the same? Should I live with much less than I have? What do I give up?

Absolute Sovereignty, Absolute Love

2008-01-21T20:14:00.000-08:00

“Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord." (Ex 10:1-2 ESV)

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 8:38-39 ESV)

What does this mean to us today? First, God is absolutely sovereign. God put into play the things that happened in Egypt so that we would know that he is God.

Secondly, it is not the cold sovereignty of the deist or of Allah, but the loving care that "Abba, Father"-God has for his people. We can know that the trials we experience in this world are for God's good purpose for us. For we are the people for whom God spilt the blood of his own son for.

Trusting in God's sovereignty and resting in his love, we can serve the Lord fully without the bonds of worldly fears and anxiety. We don’t have to be crippled by concerns with our finances, our jobs, our relationships, our health, our children, but we can have confidence in our loving, sovereign God in all these situations. We are free to be a light to this dark world, free to be different from the world.

May God continue his work in and through us, in and through our families.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!" (Ps 105:1-6 ESV)