Day of Praise

Thur, 09/01/16, "Day of Praise"

"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation." - Psalm 95:1

Some things just stick with ya. Like childhood friendships and memories.

Other things, well, ya just wish they didn't. Stick, that is. Like regrets, guilt, grief, grudges, and loneliness that aches to your bones.

My football coaches used to say, "Get up. Shake it off."

But what do ya do when, no matter how much ya shake, stuff just keeps sticking?

I have a hunch.

The reason David wrote so many Psalms, like today's verse from Psalm 95, is not just because God inspired them, but also because David needed inspiring.

In other words, he had a lot sticking to him. Regrets, guilt, grief, grudges, and loneliness that ached to his bones.

No matter how much he shook, he couldn't shake it off.

So...he grabbed hold of something more.

That would stick.

Something greater that would stick to and cover, even wipe away, the lesser sticky stuff.

Ah, yes, the Word of God.

From deep within my soul, I can remember Bible passages I learned as a kid in the church choir. Over and over, Bob "Hon" Andrews would make us sIng the greater stuff until it stuck to our soul and covered the lesser stuff that might be sticking and aching to our bones.

As it was, he made us sing, as it is, today's verse from Psalm 95, over and over again, so that, even now, I remember it deep in my soul. "Oh Come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. Oh come into his presence with thanksgiving, let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise. For the LORD is a great God and a great king above all gods."

We serve a truly awesome God, who blesses us with a truly awe-inspiring word!

May God's word stick with you today. And forever!

Praise God!

Pastor Chris 
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Wed, 08/31/16, "Day of Praise"

"Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer." - Psalm 4:1

It's probably a silly question, but I'll ask it anyway. Have you ever felt relieved?

Relieved that a loved one was safe. Relieved that a medical test came back clear. Relieved that you kept your job. Relieved that a burden was removed.

The feeling of relief has got to be on some sort of "Top 10" or at least "Top 50" list.

In today's verse, God inspires the Psalmist to cry out for relief, praying, "Give me relief from my distress."

But what happens when relief doesn't come? What should we do when the prayer isn't answered? When the loved one isn't safe? When the medical test doesn't come back clear? When you didn't keep your job, and you still haven't got the job? When the burden was not removed?

In the Bible, there are lots of cries specifically for "relief," but there are very few promises for "relief."

What actually is in the Bible, related to the word "relief," are calls for courage (as in Esther of the Old Testament) and hope (as in 2 Thessalonians).

The sum of it is this.

When you're longing for relief, first, trust that God is present with you through his word and by his spirit. Trusting in God's presence is a way to tap into his strength and to find courage to carry the burden.

Second, trust that God, who is right now present, is also the God who will come at the right time. Trusting in God's coming is a way both to find strength in the Lord right now and also to find hope that God will come and grant relief.

Today's another workday, a "mini burden." We'd love to have relief. But nothing's going to change all that comes with work.

So let's see today as an opportunity, as a mini burden, as an opportunity to trust that God is present and that God is coming. For when we trust the Lord, we'll find courage for today and hope for what is surely to come, namely, "Relief!"

"Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer." - Psalm 4:1

Praise God!


"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Wed, 08/31/16, "Day of Praise"

"Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer." - Psalm 4:1

It's probably a silly question, but I'll ask it anyway. Have you ever felt relieved?

Relieved that a loved one was safe. Relieved that a medical test came back clear. Relieved that you kept your job. Relieved that a burden was removed.

The feeling of relief has got to be on some sort of "Top 10" or at least "Top 50" list.

In today's verse, God inspires the Psalmist to cry out for relief, praying, "Give me relief from my distress."

But what happens when relief doesn't come? What should we do when the prayer isn't answered? When the loved one isn't safe? When the medical test doesn't come back clear? When you didn't keep your job, and you still haven't got the job? When the burden was not removed?

In the Bible, there are lots of cries specifically for "relief," but there are very few promises for "relief."

What actually is in the Bible, related to the word "relief," are calls for courage (as in Esther of the Old Testament) and hope (as in 2 Thessalonians).

The sum of it is this.

When you're longing for relief, first, trust that God is present with you through his word and by his spirit. Trusting in God's presence is a way to tap into his strength and to find courage to carry the burden.

Second, trust that God, who is right now present, is also the God who will come at the right time. Trusting in God's coming is a way both to find strength in the Lord right now and also to find hope that God will come and grant relief.

Today's another workday, a "mini burden." We'd love to have relief. But nothing's going to change all that comes with work.

So let's see today as an opportunity, as a mini burden, as an opportunity to trust that God is present and that God is coming. For when we trust the Lord, we'll find courage for today and hope for what is surely to come, namely, "Relief!"

"Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer." - Psalm 4:1

Praise God!


"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tues, 08/30/16, "Day of Praise"

"The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil." - Isaiah 57:1

Years ago, Rabbi Harold S. Kushner wrote a book called "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" (1981). His conclusion was that God is indeed all compassionate but that God is not all powerful.

Rabbi Kushner and the God of the Hebrew Bible do not agree. Sorry, Rabbi.

Elie Wiesel, recounting his concentration camp experience as a boy in the book "Night," tells of the Jewish prisoners being marched past a young boy who had been hung by the Nazis. Someone cried out "[Where is your God now?] Where is He?", and someone responded "Here He is--He is hanging here on this gallows." (Elie Wiesel, Night, Ch. 4)

"He is hanging from this gallows" can mean "God is dead" or "God is right there with the young boy."

"God is dead" was Friedrich Nietzsche's teaching.

"God is right there with the young boy" is what we as Christian followers of Jesus believe and teach.

Ultimately, today's verse from Isaiah 57:1, "The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart," raises questions. Does anyone, in any generation, care if a boy is hanging from a gallows? Does anyone today care that Christians, especially Christian leaders, are persecuted in countries where Christians are a minority...and sometimes in countries where Christians are supposedly the majority.

"Does anyone take this to heart?", God says through Isaiah. "Does anyone have time to think about why these things happen?"

God does.

God takes these things to heart.

God makes time to think about why these things happen.

It's probably, therefore, a good thing for us to do the same.

Namely, care, take these things to heart, think about why these things happen.

In Jesus, God does something about it.

When Jesus is in us, we do too.

Think about it.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Tues, 08/30/16, "Day of Praise"

"The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil." - Isaiah 57:1

Years ago, Rabbi Harold S. Kushner wrote a book called "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" (1981). His conclusion was that God is indeed all compassionate but that God is not all powerful.

Rabbi Kushner and the God of the Hebrew Bible do not agree. Sorry, Rabbi.

Elie Wiesel, recounting his concentration camp experience as a boy in the book "Night," tells of the Jewish prisoners being marched past a young boy who had been hung by the Nazis. Someone cried out "[Where is your God now?] Where is He?", and someone responded "Here He is--He is hanging here on this gallows." (Elie Wiesel, Night, Ch. 4)

"He is hanging from this gallows" can mean "God is dead" or "God is right there with the young boy."

"God is dead" was Friedrich Nietzsche's teaching.

"God is right there with the young boy" is what we as Christian followers of Jesus believe and teach.

Ultimately, today's verse from Isaiah 57:1, "The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart," raises questions. Does anyone, in any generation, care if a boy is hanging from a gallows? Does anyone today care that Christians, especially Christian leaders, are persecuted in countries where Christians are a minority...and sometimes in countries where Christians are supposedly the majority.

"Does anyone take this to heart?", God says through Isaiah. "Does anyone have time to think about why these things happen?"

God does.

God takes these things to heart.

God makes time to think about why these things happen.

It's probably, therefore, a good thing for us to do the same.

Namely, care, take these things to heart, think about why these things happen.

In Jesus, God does something about it.

When Jesus is in us, we do too.

Think about it.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mon, 08/29/16, "Day of Praise"

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4

I'm guessing many of you are saying, "Wait! That's not how Psalm 23 goes; it's 'the valley of the shadow of death.'"

Actually, the King James Version did translate it as you remember. But the Hebrew is as you see in the verse above: "the darkest valley" or even "the valley of deep darkness."

King James was capturing what you feel like when you go through the darkest valley, through the valley of deep darkness, namely, you feel like death must be lurking near because it feels like the valley of the shadow of death. It's a darkness so deep you literally can't see your hand in front of your face. 

But, in spite of the darkness, we have peace. Because we have a promise. From God. Through David in Psalm 23. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the deepest darkness, a darkness so deep that you can't see your hand in front of your face...I will fear no evil...for thou art with me, God...your rod and your staff...they comfort me."

Many of you, who I'm aware of, have recently shared things you're worried about, unsure about, wondering about, afraid about.

You're totally in the dark.

You have no idea what today holds, let alone tomorrow. How could you? You can't even see your hand in front of your face.

God has a promise for you. He says to you, "I am with you. I comfort you. With my rod and my staff, I'll protect you and guide you."

Even in the deepest darkness, trust God's promise, and you will see...

Praise God!

Pastor Chris 
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Mon, 08/29/16, "Day of Praise"

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4

I'm guessing many of you are saying, "Wait! That's not how Psalm 23 goes; it's 'the valley of the shadow of death.'"

Actually, the King James Version did translate it as you remember. But the Hebrew is as you see in the verse above: "the darkest valley" or even "the valley of deep darkness."

King James was capturing what you feel like when you go through the darkest valley, through the valley of deep darkness, namely, you feel like death must be lurking near because it feels like the valley of the shadow of death. It's a darkness so deep you literally can't see your hand in front of your face. 

But, in spite of the darkness, we have peace. Because we have a promise. From God. Through David in Psalm 23. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the deepest darkness, a darkness so deep that you can't see your hand in front of your face...I will fear no evil...for thou art with me, God...your rod and your staff...they comfort me."

Many of you, who I'm aware of, have recently shared things you're worried about, unsure about, wondering about, afraid about.

You're totally in the dark.

You have no idea what today holds, let alone tomorrow. How could you? You can't even see your hand in front of your face.

God has a promise for you. He says to you, "I am with you. I comfort you. With my rod and my staff, I'll protect you and guide you."

Even in the deepest darkness, trust God's promise, and you will see...

Praise God!

Pastor Chris 
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sat, 08/27/16, "Day of Praise"

"Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" - Isaiah 21:9

It's wonderful to see the enemies of faith come crashing to their end. Today's verse says it all, ""Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" (Isaiah 21:9) Hooray! The enemies of faith come crashing to the ground wherever God's word goes forth.

That's the common thread between today's reading and the day that's ahead of us. The enemies of God's word and the enemies of our faith in God's word are defeated. ""Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" (Isaiah 21:9)

The enemies of your faith in God and the enemies of his word cannot endure. Jesus himself encourages us best, saying, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority...to overcome all the power of the enemy." (Luke 10:18-19)

And that's a reason for everyone to say...Praaaaaaaise God!!!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Sat, 08/27/16, "Day of Praise"

"Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" - Isaiah 21:9

It's wonderful to see the enemies of faith come crashing to their end. Today's verse says it all, ""Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" (Isaiah 21:9) Hooray! The enemies of faith come crashing to the ground wherever God's word goes forth.

That's the common thread between today's reading and the day that's ahead of us. The enemies of God's word and the enemies of our faith in God's word are defeated. ""Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" (Isaiah 21:9)

The enemies of your faith in God and the enemies of his word cannot endure. Jesus himself encourages us best, saying, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority...to overcome all the power of the enemy." (Luke 10:18-19)

And that's a reason for everyone to say...Praaaaaaaise God!!!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fri, 08/26/16, "Day of Praise"

Here's another one of the favorites.

From Tu, 07/30/13, "Day of Praise"

Acts 15:32 - "And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words."

I was in a Ruby Tuesday restaurant, which gives me an opportunity to say "Hi!" to my friend Mark Ingram and his family, as Mark was amongst the few early leaders of Ruby Tuesday who helped make it what it is today, both here in the U.S. and also abroad.

So I'm in this Ruby Tuesday, catching up with a church member, Ilene, who for years faithfully cared for her Korean War hero, bed-bound husband. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice this 18 year old guy, flexing his bicep as if he were performing for a Mr. Universe contest. I look over just in time to see the 17 year old girl across from him, as she's reaching over to check out his bicep and feel exactly how big it is. He smiles even bigger and nods his head like a Bobblehead doll that's saying, "Yaaaayu, I'm strong."

And he was.

But she made him stronger.

He was strong. Like Popeye. Ya know, the sailor man, who lives in a garbage can. (Is that really the way that song went?)

But she made him stronger. Like Popeye's love, Olive Oyl
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_Oyl), who was a main cartoon character created by Elzie Crisler Segar in 1919 (10 years before Popeye!) for his comic strip Thimble Theatre.

As in today's verse from Acts 15:32, the little lady in Ruby Tuesday "encouraged and strengthened the brother with many words."

Oh, yeah, the whole time Ilene and I talked, we never noticed Popeye nor Olive Oyl pick up a cell phone. Like my friend, Art Fries, is always saying, "the most important person in the world is the one right in front of you."

Oh sure, there's a few off-the-chart egotistical people in the world. But for the most part, most people are just looking for someone who will celebrate with them when they "flex their muscle." In other words, invite people to tell you something they like about themselves. After the shock wears off of them because they can't believe you want to hear something great about them and then they "flex their muscle", tell em how great they are.

And make them stronger.

We need more strong people in the world. So, let's "encourage and strengthen [one another] with many words." (Acts 15:32)

Praise God!

Pastor Chris 
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Fri, 08/26/16, "Day of Praise"

Here's another one of the favorites.

From Tu, 07/30/13, "Day of Praise"

Acts 15:32 - "And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words."

I was in a Ruby Tuesday restaurant, which gives me an opportunity to say "Hi!" to my friend Mark Ingram and his family, as Mark was amongst the few early leaders of Ruby Tuesday who helped make it what it is today, both here in the U.S. and also abroad.

So I'm in this Ruby Tuesday, catching up with a church member, Ilene, who for years faithfully cared for her Korean War hero, bed-bound husband. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice this 18 year old guy, flexing his bicep as if he were performing for a Mr. Universe contest. I look over just in time to see the 17 year old girl across from him, as she's reaching over to check out his bicep and feel exactly how big it is. He smiles even bigger and nods his head like a Bobblehead doll that's saying, "Yaaaayu, I'm strong."

And he was.

But she made him stronger.

He was strong. Like Popeye. Ya know, the sailor man, who lives in a garbage can. (Is that really the way that song went?)

But she made him stronger. Like Popeye's love, Olive Oyl
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_Oyl), who was a main cartoon character created by Elzie Crisler Segar in 1919 (10 years before Popeye!) for his comic strip Thimble Theatre.

As in today's verse from Acts 15:32, the little lady in Ruby Tuesday "encouraged and strengthened the brother with many words."

Oh, yeah, the whole time Ilene and I talked, we never noticed Popeye nor Olive Oyl pick up a cell phone. Like my friend, Art Fries, is always saying, "the most important person in the world is the one right in front of you."

Oh sure, there's a few off-the-chart egotistical people in the world. But for the most part, most people are just looking for someone who will celebrate with them when they "flex their muscle." In other words, invite people to tell you something they like about themselves. After the shock wears off of them because they can't believe you want to hear something great about them and then they "flex their muscle", tell em how great they are.

And make them stronger.

We need more strong people in the world. So, let's "encourage and strengthen [one another] with many words." (Acts 15:32)

Praise God!

Pastor Chris 
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Thur, 08/25/16, "Day of Praise"

Y'all were kindly affirming of some repeats. So here's another one of my favorites. Thank you!

From Thursday, April 18, 2013

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" - Isaiah 52:7

When getting ready to speak comfort in Christ to someone, in order to cover the looooooong distance from our head to our heart you don't need the internet but you do need a "www".

1) Give your "wonder" to God, as in "I wonder how I can do this?". Answer? You can't, but God can, so give your wonder to God.

2) Give your "wounds" to God, as in don't try to look strong by hiding your wounds, but recognize that God wants to work through your past wounds to minister to someone's present wounds so they know that you can truly understand just like God can.

3) Give your "words" to God, as in trust God to speak through you, as Jesus says in Matthew 10, "do not worry about what to say or how to say it, for at that time it will not be you speaking but the Spirit of your Father in heaven speaking through you."

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Thur, 08/25/16, "Day of Praise"

Y'all were kindly affirming of some repeats. So here's another one of my favorites. Thank you!

From Thursday, April 18, 2013

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" - Isaiah 52:7

When getting ready to speak comfort in Christ to someone, in order to cover the looooooong distance from our head to our heart you don't need the internet but you do need a "www".

1) Give your "wonder" to God, as in "I wonder how I can do this?". Answer? You can't, but God can, so give your wonder to God.

2) Give your "wounds" to God, as in don't try to look strong by hiding your wounds, but recognize that God wants to work through your past wounds to minister to someone's present wounds so they know that you can truly understand just like God can.

3) Give your "words" to God, as in trust God to speak through you, as Jesus says in Matthew 10, "do not worry about what to say or how to say it, for at that time it will not be you speaking but the Spirit of your Father in heaven speaking through you."

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Wed, 08/24/16, "Day of Praise"

I had reason to think back today to one of my favorite devotions that I wrote more than 3 years ago. Thanks for putting up with a repeat now and then!

From Wed, Holy Week, Mar 27, 2013, "Day of Praise"

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" - Ephesians 2:8

Ok, y'all.

Just stop.

Deeeeeeeeep breath.

Breathe iiiiiiiiiiin.

Breathe ouuuuuuuut.

Iiiiiiiiin.

Ouuuuuuut.

Close your eyes.

Deeeeeeeep breath.

Picture a river. The Jordan River it is.

Look out over it. All you can see is a band of angels. Comin' after you.

To protect you.

But, when an arrow is permitted through, then those angels are there to encourage you.

To turn your heart from the troubles and sorrows of the world. To gently touch and turn your face into the wind.

It's the movement of God. Coming. And yet always present. Mighty to save.

To save you.  

By his grace.

From despair.

Which is hopelessness. Ya know. Throwin' in the towel.

No. Don't throw in the towel.

Just be still. And believe.

It's true. Just a bit of faith. As much as a mustard seed. Just a wee bit. Of faith. Is enough to tap into. To receive. The salvation. The right hand. The strong arm. Of the living God.

It's there. For you.

He's there. For you.

Here. For you.

To lighten the load. To give you a hope. A purpose. To hold up your arms. And strengthen your knees.

It's true. Somehow faith. In receiving the grace of God that saves.

Things just get bearable. Even peaceful. Like it's all gonna be ok. Because they are ok.

Yes, there's still a storm. But God is in the midst. Of the storm. Holding your hand. Looking in your eye. Calling you. Not with his voice. But with his eyes. His heart. A whisper to the soul. "Dance with me."

I will lead you.

In the dance.

Through the storm.

To your salvation.

Your freedom.

From thinking that your life is defined and measured and able (or not) to be enjoyed. Based on your problems and debts and regrets and challenges.

No. Instead your life is defined by the One.

Who loves you. Who died for you. And more. And was raised. To be with you. And to strengthen you. With the Holy Spirit that he pours out on you and in you. Everyday. 

Both to encourage you. That the strength and power available to you everyday is beyond your own. 

And also to remind you. That the Father has made great and precious promises to you. To come through for you. And to never leave you nor forsake you. Even when you leave Him. 

And to gift you.

With grace.

Upon grace.

Upon grace.

You need only believe.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris 
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Wed, 08/24/16, "Day of Praise"

I had reason to think back today to one of my favorite devotions that I wrote more than 3 years ago. Thanks for putting up with a repeat now and then!

From Wed, Holy Week, Mar 27, 2013, "Day of Praise"

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" - Ephesians 2:8

Ok, y'all.

Just stop.

Deeeeeeeeep breath.

Breathe iiiiiiiiiiin.

Breathe ouuuuuuuut.

Iiiiiiiiin.

Ouuuuuuut.

Close your eyes.

Deeeeeeeep breath.

Picture a river. The Jordan River it is.

Look out over it. All you can see is a band of angels. Comin' after you.

To protect you.

But, when an arrow is permitted through, then those angels are there to encourage you.

To turn your heart from the troubles and sorrows of the world. To gently touch and turn your face into the wind.

It's the movement of God. Coming. And yet always present. Mighty to save.

To save you.  

By his grace.

From despair.

Which is hopelessness. Ya know. Throwin' in the towel.

No. Don't throw in the towel.

Just be still. And believe.

It's true. Just a bit of faith. As much as a mustard seed. Just a wee bit. Of faith. Is enough to tap into. To receive. The salvation. The right hand. The strong arm. Of the living God.

It's there. For you.

He's there. For you.

Here. For you.

To lighten the load. To give you a hope. A purpose. To hold up your arms. And strengthen your knees.

It's true. Somehow faith. In receiving the grace of God that saves.

Things just get bearable. Even peaceful. Like it's all gonna be ok. Because they are ok.

Yes, there's still a storm. But God is in the midst. Of the storm. Holding your hand. Looking in your eye. Calling you. Not with his voice. But with his eyes. His heart. A whisper to the soul. "Dance with me."

I will lead you.

In the dance.

Through the storm.

To your salvation.

Your freedom.

From thinking that your life is defined and measured and able (or not) to be enjoyed. Based on your problems and debts and regrets and challenges.

No. Instead your life is defined by the One.

Who loves you. Who died for you. And more. And was raised. To be with you. And to strengthen you. With the Holy Spirit that he pours out on you and in you. Everyday. 

Both to encourage you. That the strength and power available to you everyday is beyond your own. 

And also to remind you. That the Father has made great and precious promises to you. To come through for you. And to never leave you nor forsake you. Even when you leave Him. 

And to gift you.

With grace.

Upon grace.

Upon grace.

You need only believe.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris 
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Tues, 08/23/16, "Day of Praise"

"So in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. He encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it." - 2 Kings 25:1

Have you ever been surrounded?

Yesterday, I listened to multiple people at church who described what surrounded them. Most did so with tears in their eyes. And they weren't tears of joy. 

They felt surrounded by demands
Or disappointments
Or challenges
Or anxiety
Or a sense of unsettledness. 

And yet these were the same people who filled the sanctuary on Sunday to worship in a way that the sanctuary felt surrounded and filled by the presence of God.

This is why worshiping with others weekly is so important. 
Life comes at us, 
surrounds us, 
sometimes because of our own poor choices (as with King Zedekiah and the
whole people of Israel in today's Bible verse), 
sometimes because of the brokenness of the world, 
sometimes because of the evil in the world, 
sometimes because of...well, the possibilities are endless.

But the bottom line is this, worship is God's gift to us to hear again that God wants not our destruction but instead that God wants us to wake up and trust Him as our Shield, our Protector, our Sovereign, on Sunday, on Monday, on each day and moment that God grants us. 

This is why the psalmist is inspired to sing, "Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)

If you're reading this, you're alive in this fallen, broken, sinful world on this day, which means that you're surrounded by the demands
and disappointments
and challenges
and anxiety
and unsettledness that go with the world.

But you're also surrounded by the LORD who "surrounds you with His favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)

Worship Him this Wednesday and this Sunday but also today in each segment of your day by remembering Him, looking to
Him, calling on His name, listening for Him, trusting His word, walking in His truth, and encouraging others to do the same.

He will deal with all the ill that surrounds you...and He will surround you with His favor, His shield, and His peace.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris 
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

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Day of Praise

Tues, 08/23/16, "Day of Praise"

"So in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. He encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it." - 2 Kings 25:1

Have you ever been surrounded?

Yesterday, I listened to multiple people at church who described what surrounded them. Most did so with tears in their eyes. And they weren't tears of joy. 

They felt surrounded by demands
Or disappointments
Or challenges
Or anxiety
Or a sense of unsettledness. 

And yet these were the same people who filled the sanctuary on Sunday to worship in a way that the sanctuary felt surrounded and filled by the presence of God.

This is why worshiping with others weekly is so important. 
Life comes at us, 
surrounds us, 
sometimes because of our own poor choices (as with King Zedekiah and the
whole people of Israel in today's Bible verse), 
sometimes because of the brokenness of the world, 
sometimes because of the evil in the world, 
sometimes because of...well, the possibilities are endless.

But the bottom line is this, worship is God's gift to us to hear again that God wants not our destruction but instead that God wants us to wake up and trust Him as our Shield, our Protector, our Sovereign, on Sunday, on Monday, on each day and moment that God grants us. 

This is why the psalmist is inspired to sing, "Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)

If you're reading this, you're alive in this fallen, broken, sinful world on this day, which means that you're surrounded by the demands
and disappointments
and challenges
and anxiety
and unsettledness that go with the world.

But you're also surrounded by the LORD who "surrounds you with His favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)

Worship Him this Wednesday and this Sunday but also today in each segment of your day by remembering Him, looking to
Him, calling on His name, listening for Him, trusting His word, walking in His truth, and encouraging others to do the same.

He will deal with all the ill that surrounds you...and He will surround you with His favor, His shield, and His peace.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris 
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Mon, 08/22/16, "Day of Praise"

After having all three kids (ages 23, 21, and 17) home for the summer, maybe for the last time ever, I just want to share again the following devotion from June 19, 2013.

"And a little child shall lead them." - Isaiah 11:6b

I hurt my left shoulder very badly months ago and like any good man, who never asks directions, I still haven't been to the doctor about it. Furthermore, I'm still terrified of heights, and I still think the only three uses of water are rain, getting clean in a shower, and Holy Baptisms.

So!

Why in the world would I even consider sliding down a 60 feet high, 100-yard long zipline and crash back-first (if I hit it just right, otherwise it's the injured left shoulder first) into a manmade lake at camp last week?

Why?!?!?!

Because my 17-year old daughter, Cassidy, asked me to.

"Daddy," she says, "do you wanna go down the zipline with me?"

She's 17! Not 7.

I'm 48.

There aren't many of these invitations left in life.

So we gear up; we walk up; we climb up; we get hooked up; we get instructed; we stand backwards on the platform; they open the gate; and she starts singing.

"Jesus loves me! This I know..."

She looks at me, still singing; she bends her knees; she says, "Bye, Daddy!"; and there she goes.

What's a real man to do?

Well, let's just say that, with the exception of losing my swim shoes when I hit (and thankfully not my swim trunks...well, not completely, anyway), it was an incredibly smooth landing in the lake.

And what else should I have expected?

After all, God promised, didn't he? "And a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6)

Hey, Gang, do something with a kid today. You'll be blessed!

Praise God!



Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Mon, 08/22/16, "Day of Praise"

After having all three kids (ages 23, 21, and 17) home for the summer, maybe for the last time ever, I just want to share again the following devotion from June 19, 2013.

"And a little child shall lead them." - Isaiah 11:6b

I hurt my left shoulder very badly months ago and like any good man, who never asks directions, I still haven't been to the doctor about it. Furthermore, I'm still terrified of heights, and I still think the only three uses of water are rain, getting clean in a shower, and Holy Baptisms.

So!

Why in the world would I even consider sliding down a 60 feet high, 100-yard long zipline and crash back-first (if I hit it just right, otherwise it's the injured left shoulder first) into a manmade lake at camp last week?

Why?!?!?!

Because my 17-year old daughter, Cassidy, asked me to.

"Daddy," she says, "do you wanna go down the zipline with me?"

She's 17! Not 7.

I'm 48.

There aren't many of these invitations left in life.

So we gear up; we walk up; we climb up; we get hooked up; we get instructed; we stand backwards on the platform; they open the gate; and she starts singing.

"Jesus loves me! This I know..."

She looks at me, still singing; she bends her knees; she says, "Bye, Daddy!"; and there she goes.

What's a real man to do?

Well, let's just say that, with the exception of losing my swim shoes when I hit (and thankfully not my swim trunks...well, not completely, anyway), it was an incredibly smooth landing in the lake.

And what else should I have expected?

After all, God promised, didn't he? "And a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6)

Hey, Gang, do something with a kid today. You'll be blessed!

Praise God!



Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Sat, 08/20/16, "Day of Praise"

"Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, 'Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here?'" - Numbers 32:6

Oops! Did I just say that?

Ever said something and wished you hadn't? Duh!? Or ever said something with a tone and wished you had a "do-over"? Got me again.

Sometimes ya just have to feel bad for Moses. Poor guy. He's just trying to get God's people intact to God's land. And lo and behold, here come the tribes of Gad and Reuben, who don't want God's land west of the Jordan. They want land on the east; land already conquered.

So Moses jumps to conclusions and accuses them of cowardice and unwillingness to fight for God's land to the west.

Oops! Moses is wrong, guilty of false judgment.

In our church, we worship God and regularly confess "all false judgments" and other oopses.

I'm thankful for Jesus who gives us some major do-overs. You?

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Sat, 08/20/16, "Day of Praise"

"Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, 'Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here?'" - Numbers 32:6

Oops! Did I just say that?

Ever said something and wished you hadn't? Duh!? Or ever said something with a tone and wished you had a "do-over"? Got me again.

Sometimes ya just have to feel bad for Moses. Poor guy. He's just trying to get God's people intact to God's land. And lo and behold, here come the tribes of Gad and Reuben, who don't want God's land west of the Jordan. They want land on the east; land already conquered.

So Moses jumps to conclusions and accuses them of cowardice and unwillingness to fight for God's land to the west.

Oops! Moses is wrong, guilty of false judgment.

In our church, we worship God and regularly confess "all false judgments" and other oopses.

I'm thankful for Jesus who gives us some major do-overs. You?

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Fri, 08/19/16, "Day of Praise"

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you." - Deuteronomy 8:10

"Feast!" For as long as I can remember, that's what I say after every good meal. And as best as I can remember, I've said "Feast!" quite a bit.

In fact, in all my years I only remember 3 unsatisfying meals. There was one when I was still sitting in a booster chair where I had to eat my green beans before leaving the table. It got really late. I finally took a bite. What followed was not a pretty sight.

There was another at the home of some visitors to church. The main course was liver ball soup. Yes, liver balls. I talked a lot at that meal. Ya know, stalling. Hoping for dessert to be offered. Sorry, no dessert.

And finally, there was this grass casserole dinner. I'm serious. It looked like grass, smelled like grass, and tasted like grass, freshly mown from the lawn. Hmm, come to think of it, I had just mown...nah, couldn't have been, could it?

Well, you get the point. Other than those 3 meals, I've had countless feasts. And after every one, by God's grace, I've consciously felt like the most blessed man in the whole world.

It makes me think of all you wonderful people who have been "God's hands" and fed me, even green beans, liver balls, and grass. For you, I give thanks to God. And to God, I say, "Feast!"

What about all of you?

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you." - Deuteronomy 8:10

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Fri, 08/19/16, "Day of Praise"

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you." - Deuteronomy 8:10

"Feast!" For as long as I can remember, that's what I say after every good meal. And as best as I can remember, I've said "Feast!" quite a bit.

In fact, in all my years I only remember 3 unsatisfying meals. There was one when I was still sitting in a booster chair where I had to eat my green beans before leaving the table. It got really late. I finally took a bite. What followed was not a pretty sight.

There was another at the home of some visitors to church. The main course was liver ball soup. Yes, liver balls. I talked a lot at that meal. Ya know, stalling. Hoping for dessert to be offered. Sorry, no dessert.

And finally, there was this grass casserole dinner. I'm serious. It looked like grass, smelled like grass, and tasted like grass, freshly mown from the lawn. Hmm, come to think of it, I had just mown...nah, couldn't have been, could it?

Well, you get the point. Other than those 3 meals, I've had countless feasts. And after every one, by God's grace, I've consciously felt like the most blessed man in the whole world.

It makes me think of all you wonderful people who have been "God's hands" and fed me, even green beans, liver balls, and grass. For you, I give thanks to God. And to God, I say, "Feast!"

What about all of you?

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you." - Deuteronomy 8:10

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

Th, 08/18/16, "Day of Praise"

Lots of driving ahead for our family in the next 8 days as Caden's first 2 games are out of town and out of state. It reminded me of the following devotion I wrote on 2/22/12, which was Ash Wednesday that year. It also seems a lifetime ago with the reference to my using a Blackberry!!! So here it is, as it was...

"If a member of the community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands, he is guilty." - Leviticus 4:27

"Ignorance is bliss!" Uuuuh, no it isn't. In 1742, Thomas Gray actually wrote "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."

Didn't know that? Doesn't matter. You're guilty of a half quote, which is a misquote. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

In Mitch Albom's fictional book, "Five People You Meet in Heaven" he tells of meeting someone in heaven who was killed by a person who didn't even know they killed someone. Based on "distracted driving" stats, Albom's book probably isn't fiction.

Sin is sin whether we meant to sin or not.

I'll be honest; it scares me to think what I've unintentionally done. Ya know, driving down the road, looking down at the radio...or Blackberry. Next thing ya know, I'm a mile down the road, and I don't even remember the last mile. Did I run somebody off the road? I don't know. I was looking at the radio...or my Blackberry. But if I did run somebody off the road and hurt them (or worse), even if it was unintentional, then I'm guilty. That's what God says in today's Bible verse. "[Even] if a member of the community sins unintentionally...he is guilty." - Leviticus 4:27

I suppose then that I should be grateful for Officer Wooten. Who's Officer Wooten? He's the nice Police Man who pulled up behind me with his blue lights on just in time to park behind me at church yesterday. He said he was worried that there was something wrong with me because I kept "bumping the yellow line." Really? Me? I didn't know I was doing that? I was looking down at the radio...or my Blackberry.

Doesn't matter. Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!

Ya know, we Christians say we're thankful that Jesus died for our sins. Ya know what? I bet we don't know the half of it!

Oh, before I unintentionally forget to tell you, today is Ash Wednesday, a day to go to church and confess a bunch of sins we know and ask God for mercy for a bunch more we don't. See ya there. And oh...drive carefully...or tell Officer Wooten I said hello.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris 
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

This email was sent to ctdegreen.pcblog@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Day of Praise Daily Encouragement · 1601 Southcrest Trail · Hoover, AL 35244 · USA

Day of Praise

Th, 08/18/16, "Day of Praise"

Lots of driving ahead for our family in the next 8 days as Caden's first 2 games are out of town and out of state. It reminded me of the following devotion I wrote on 2/22/12, which was Ash Wednesday that year. It also seems a lifetime ago with the reference to my using a Blackberry!!! So here it is, as it was...

"If a member of the community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands, he is guilty." - Leviticus 4:27

"Ignorance is bliss!" Uuuuh, no it isn't. In 1742, Thomas Gray actually wrote "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."

Didn't know that? Doesn't matter. You're guilty of a half quote, which is a misquote. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

In Mitch Albom's fictional book, "Five People You Meet in Heaven" he tells of meeting someone in heaven who was killed by a person who didn't even know they killed someone. Based on "distracted driving" stats, Albom's book probably isn't fiction.

Sin is sin whether we meant to sin or not.

I'll be honest; it scares me to think what I've unintentionally done. Ya know, driving down the road, looking down at the radio...or Blackberry. Next thing ya know, I'm a mile down the road, and I don't even remember the last mile. Did I run somebody off the road? I don't know. I was looking at the radio...or my Blackberry. But if I did run somebody off the road and hurt them (or worse), even if it was unintentional, then I'm guilty. That's what God says in today's Bible verse. "[Even] if a member of the community sins unintentionally...he is guilty." - Leviticus 4:27

I suppose then that I should be grateful for Officer Wooten. Who's Officer Wooten? He's the nice Police Man who pulled up behind me with his blue lights on just in time to park behind me at church yesterday. He said he was worried that there was something wrong with me because I kept "bumping the yellow line." Really? Me? I didn't know I was doing that? I was looking down at the radio...or my Blackberry.

Doesn't matter. Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!

Ya know, we Christians say we're thankful that Jesus died for our sins. Ya know what? I bet we don't know the half of it!

Oh, before I unintentionally forget to tell you, today is Ash Wednesday, a day to go to church and confess a bunch of sins we know and ask God for mercy for a bunch more we don't. See ya there. And oh...drive carefully...or tell Officer Wooten I said hello.

Praise God!

Pastor Chris 
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson