Put the Big Rocks in First

Today's sermon at NEPC focused again on The Purpose Driven Life. The sermon scripture was John 12:20-28 - where a group of Greeks want to see Jesus and Jesus explains his purpose on earth. We don't know whether or not Philip and Andrew took the group to meet Jesus, but the Greeks were driven to see Jesus. Philip and (especially) Andrew were driven to bring others to Jesus. He tells us in verse 27 what His purpose was - to die for our salvation.

Seeing The Passion of the Christ on Friday night really drove that point home. Jesus is not some nice guy who came to teach us to love one another. He wasn't a troublemaker or a revolutionary. He was the supreme sacrifice for my sins and yours.

John 12:27 - "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!"

The heading about the rocks is an allusion to a story about time and goal management. Put the big purpose into your life first - otherwise you'll never fit it in with all of the smaller things that get added into life.

Ash Wednesday

Lent begins today - a season of repentence and reflection. Linda at In-Season Christian Librarian recommended this blog - The Easter Blog: A Christian Journey Through Lent and Holy Week.

Meanwhile in The Purpose Driven Life I'm reading about what brings God pleasure. There are so many areas of my life which I need to surrender to God. On a rainy morning it's hard to get up and drive to work. But I need to work as though working for God. Too easy to see the workday as something I do for others or to bring home a paycheck.

Finding My Purpose

What on earth am I here for? Thus begins the first section of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. The thing that still amazes me is that God knew me before I was born, that he has a plan and a purpose for me. I'm not just an accident of nature or the product of chance. Because of God, life has meaning and purpose.

When all is said and done here on earth we will not be judged by how much money we have, what jobs or honors we won, or by how popular we were. If you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, you will be saved. With that knowledge you should do everything you can to follow Him and use the gifts he gave you for the greater glory of His kingdom.

This week's readings give me much to think about in my own life and conduct. And I'm only on Day 4.

40 Days of Purpose

Started the book Sunday with Day 1. It's all about God. It's not about me.

Happy Valentine's Day

Having a quiet Valentine's Day at home. Bruce gave me a silver bracelet with Isaiah 40:31 inscribed on it "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." A good reminder to keep with me during trying times at work.

Trouble sleeping this week led me back to Psalm 37 "Do not fret because of evil people or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away...The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him."

Much accomplished today: started my paper on John Calvin, read a couple of chapters for NT Survey, baked a carrot cake and did some laundry. Life is good.

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