Blast Into

January 9, 2012 in Threads with 0 Comments

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – Blast off!!! Mission control, we have lift off! It is now 9:37pm, and we have just breached the outer atmosphere. All systems are a-okay. Three more minutes, and we will be on our path heading toward our lunar orbit to then be catapulted into outer space.”

This was almost a nightly adventure when I was about seven. I have never wanted to go to bed very early, and this helped extend the day. I grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, home of the Redstone Arsenal and the Space and Rocket Center. It is a sister city of Houston connected by the space program. I remember watching the first lunar landing. If my memory serves me correctly, we got a new television that year. The television had tubes that burned out as it got older, and I remember going to the store to get replacements. Dad would stand there at this very large display, try to match the tube size and pin pattern after looking up the model number, only to learn that we needed to go to another store because they didn’t carry the one we needed.
Continue Reading…

A Planning Perspective

January 6, 2012 in Ponderings with 0 Comments


Question to Ponder

What is a healthy perspective on planning?

Scripture Reference

Matthew 24:15-25:30



God’s Character and Actions

appears / present, power, glory, rewards, inviting

Our Responses and Attitude

be aware, see, know the times, be ready, prepare, learn the lessons

Take Away Thought

Be aware and keep an eye on what is happening around you – be ready to be surprised. Prepare and continue taking action by investing in things with eternal significance, being light of foot, living with abandon, ready to listen and follow, and taking God at His word.

Conversation Starters

What does God reveal to you as you study and discuss the scripture passage pondering the question at hand?

What are other passages in the Bible that may speak to the question at hand?

Specialness of You

December 9, 2011 in Ponderings with 0 Comments


Question to Ponder

How am I Special?

Scripture Reference

Ephesians 3:1-5:21



God’s Character and Actions

giver of grace and eternal purpose, power, one, love, surpassing, sacrificing

Our Responses and Attitudes

humility, gentleness, patience, eager, no longer children, filled, strengthened, access to God

Take Away Thought

I have been given God’s grace and love, and am an heir and partaker of the promise in Jesus Christ. I am made in His image, and loved by Him, and I need to take care of what God has given me.

Conversation Starters

What does God reveal to you as you study and discuss the scripture passage pondering the question at hand?

What are other passages in the Bible that may speak to the question at hand?

Next Generation Leadership

December 2, 2011 in Ponderings with 0 Comments


Question to Ponder

What are the most important things to teach and pass onto the next generation?

Scripture Reference

Luke 18



God’s Character and Actions

justice, merciful, calling, coming, good, gives lessons

Our Responses and Attitudes

pray, fear God, cry to God, follow, praise, glorify God, continually coming to Jesus, earnest, humble, point to God, don’t lose heart, give time and money for good

Take Away Thought

Continually, earnestly go to God, trusting He is all good; praising and glorifying God, telling others how much He means to you.

Conversation Starters

What does God reveal to you as you study and discuss the scripture passage pondering the question at hand?

What are other passages in the Bible that may speak to the question at hand?

Spiritual Leader at Home

November 11, 2011 in Ponderings with 0 Comments


Question to Ponder

How can we best prepare to be the spiritual leader of our home?

Scripture Reference

Colossians 2-3



God’s Character and Actions

head of all rulers and authority, forgiving, above all, kind, patient, loving

Our Responses and Attitudes

submit, accept, be established in the faith, put on new self, be compassionate

Take Away Thought

Teach all of these things to the family all the time, from the beginning, not waiting until the children are old enough. They are old enough before they can talk.Be convinced of the literal nature of the instruction to love, forgive, be kind and compassionate.

Conversation Starters

What does God reveal to you as you study and discuss the scripture passage pondering the question at hand?

What are other passages in the Bible that may speak to the question at hand?

A Balanced Life

November 4, 2011 in Ponderings with 0 Comments


Question to Ponder

How does one live a balanced life (and not mimic the culture in which they live)?

Scripture Reference

James 4-5



God’s Character and Actions

grace, giver

Our Responses and Attitudes

draw closer to God, ask, receive, resist, cleansed, humbled

Take Away Thought

We first have to choose whether we are a friend of God or the world. It is not possible to be both. From that point on, we begin making decisions to live a life that honors and glorifies God.

Conversation Starters

What does God reveal to you as you study and discuss the scripture passage pondering the question at hand?

What are other passages in the Bible that may speak to the question at hand?

Live in the Moment

October 28, 2011 in Ponderings with 0 Comments


Question to Ponder

How can we live in the moment?

Scripture Reference

Psalms 144-145



God’s Character and Actions

merciful, good, gracious, faithful, giving, powerful, majestic, rescues, delivers, satisfies, desires, fulfills

Our Responses and Attitudes

receiver of life, meditate, give thanks, sing, play

Take Away Thought

Remember how powerful God is and bless Him with your faithfulness.

Conversation Starters

What does God reveal to you as you study and discuss the scripture passage pondering the question at hand?

What are other passages in the Bible that may speak to the question at hand?

Challenging the Norm

October 21, 2011 in Ponderings with 0 Comments


Question to Ponder

What do you question and challenge?

Scripture Reference

1 Thessalonians 4-5



God’s Character and Actions

Calls, loves, peace, sanctifies

Our Responses and Attitudes

believe, to remain sober, to be aware, to not grieve, to not repay evil for evil

Take Away Thought

Live simply, keep awake and be aware with eyes wide open. Walk properly before others and stop trying to change truth to make it comfortable for yourself.

Conversation Starters

What does God reveal to you as you study and discuss the scripture passage pondering the question at hand?

What are other passages in the Bible that may speak to the question at hand?

Walking Holiness

October 14, 2011 in Ponderings with 0 Comments


Question to Ponder

What does everyday holiness look like in your own town?

Scripture Reference

Romans 12-13



God’s Character and Actions

Grace is given to us, He is the giver of all.

Our Responses and Attitudes

to use the gifts God gives, not to think too highly of oneself, to renew our minds, to love, to associate with the lowly, to honor and respect, to do what is good

Take Away Thought

It is by grace given to and received by us that we can do anything holy and righteous, and that we are to live our normal, everyday lives as a sacrifice in submission to God. And our actions, moment by moment, are to be loving toward all.

Conversation Starters

What does God reveal to you as you study and discuss the scripture passage pondering the question at hand?

What are other passages in the Bible that may speak to the question at hand?

Everyday Holiness

October 7, 2011 in Ponderings with 0 Comments


Question to Ponder

What does everyday holiness look like?

Scripture Reference

1 Peter 1:1-2:11



God’s Character and Actions

pure, undefiled, unfading, genuine, marvelous light, love, joy, salvation, glory, merciful, calls, tests

Our Responses and Attitudes

prepare for trials, respond to the call, to receive his mercy, to put away, to be conformed to God not the world, to obey

Take Away Thought

Remember and be mindful of eternal implications of everything you do. Remember what God has done for you as a means of motivating us to live in a God-honoring way.

Conversation Starters

What does God reveal to you as you study and discuss the scripture passage pondering the question at hand?

What are other passages in the Bible that may speak to the question at hand?

Page 3 of 5«12345»