FredMcKinnon.Com

Challenged by my own “rebuke” of sorts on last week’s popular blog post, “Who Are We Kidding“, I decided I’d better get myself in the Word this morning.  YouVersion.Com and my “Daily Reader” program on my Treo phone took me to Proverbs 8:12-13.

So, if “wisdom” hates “perverted speech” (referred to as “perverse speech in many translations) …

What exactly is “perverse/perverted speech”?

I think of the movies and TV shows we, as Christians, watch with little or no conviction any longer … filled with what I’d consider to be “perverse” speech.  Drink it in.  Filthy water.

What do you think “perverse speech” is referring to?

That’s today’s Monday Muse.  Tweet it, invite your friends to answer, and let the comments begin.

Thanks to Kim Bontrager for posting this on Twitter – I saw it the other day, and thought “this would be a good conversation on the blog”.

Here ya go – from “The Message”, Matt 7:

13-14 “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.

What say you?

Dear God,

I repent.

I’ve allowed life to overwhelm me.  I’ve allowed our crazy culture to overtake me.

I say I love you, but I don’t show you that affection as I should.

I should be so grateful.  You’ve given me so many blessings.  An incredible family, an amazing church, and an unbelievably amazing wife.  I complained to her recently, that with her schedule, keeping up with four young kids, all of their activities, plus a house to manage, I feel like I’m last place.  I complained that by the time I get time with her, she’s spent.  I get the leftovers, if there are any.

Then, it dawned on me.  That’s exactly how you feel about me.

I get preoccupied with social networking, with this blog, with subscribers, stats, comments, or the lack thereof.  I get preoccupied with business ideas and networking plans that I’m positive come from your Spirit; yet, they become idols instead of tools.

I lead others in worship and serve you – it’s my job.  I love it, and I love Your Presence, so why do I ignore it so often?  Why do I reject you so often?  Why would I rather stay up late watching meaningless TV shows only to regret it in the morning when I’m too tired to worship you in my private, hidden life?  Why is there dust on my piano, and why do I never make music to you on my own anymore?  You created me for this, yet I constantly fall to petty distractions.

I allow lustful thoughts to spark around in my mind until they ignite into a fire.  Then, I have to fight to put it out.

I ignore Your Holy Spirit, constantly speaking and convicting me about the lack of care I have for my physical body.

I get too worked up over what others think about me.  I get consumed with the desire to be accepted by everyone else, forgetting that you accept me regardless.

I spend more time typing in a blog or Twitter than I do in Your Word.   No wonder I’m so screwed up.  Do I really believe, even for a second, that ANYONE out there has more to offer than YOU?

God, I’m really sorry.  It grieves me.  I’m grateful for our time together this morning.  I’m grateful for your love, mercy, and acceptance.  I’m really eager for you to speak to me.  I want wisdom.  I will do whatever You say.  Please order my steps.

Your Word is my prayer this morning:

5 Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set;
6 Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel.
(Psalm 119: 5-6, “The Message”)

Hey Everybody -

So don’t worry … “FreePlay Friday” is coming … (I think), but I wanted to journal a bit about something I read this morning.  First, I’d like to thank everyone who commented a few days ago when I asked if I should put these “From the Word” snippets on a different blog or just keep it here.  All along, my initial desire was to keep it here, and for now … that’s what I’m going to do.  I think Ben summed it up best in his comment:

If your blog is intended to help shape the heart of worship folks like myself, what better way than to hear what God is teaching you as a worship leader thru the Word. Bring it!

Thanks, Ben!

That being said … if you want to skip over these, I’m trying to title them “From the Word” so they’ll stand out.

Now – on to what I wanted to share … and my hope is that I share a snippet, and you, the readers, jump in and we develop this thought together.

I’m reading in Gensis 8 – the story of the flood, and how the waters subsided.  This jumped out at me:

(20) Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.  (21) And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never …” (ESV)

It seems from the text that the Lord was moved into action as a result of the sacrifice.  He smelled it (the aroma was pleasing) and WHEN HE DID, He made a gracious comment to mankind – a covenant that would last for eternity.

God is moved by sacrifice.  He sent His Son to be the ultimate sacrifice.  Clearly, we don’t offer literal “burnt animal sacrifices” to God anymore, so what kind of sacrifice would He notice … what would be “pleasing” to Him … that would cause Him to respond like this today?

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17, @ YouVersion.Com)

What do you think?

Hey Everybody – Happy Monday …

I’d like your feedback … after all, if you’re reading this – YOU are the people who actually come to my blog, or read via RSS.

From time to time, I write little “snippets” or short insights called “From the Word” – they are basically reflections from my time studying the Bible.  I want to be more active in doing that.  Just yesterday, our Pastor talked about God’s Word, and really encouraged us on how to study, journaling, taking notes, etc.

As a result, I’d like to take my Bible Study time and my passion for blogging, and put them together.

Example:

Today, I was reading Matthew 4, and in both verses 20 and 22, the word “immediately” jumped out at me.  Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John … and when he asked them to come follow him, it says “immediately, they left …”

That’s the type of thing I’d post – just my “reflections” from my own personal time in the Word.

Here’s the question … this would likely increase my blog posting count to more than one post per day.  Would that be OK?
Would you prefer to see these “From the Word” blog entries right here on FredMcKinnon.Com, mixed in with all the other stuff (I already have a category setup for it that I’ve used in the past), or would it make more sense to have a totally separate blog, just for that?

I’m leaning a certain way … but want your feedback.

So let’s hear it.