GodTube.com

If you haven’t seen this GodTube.com, you should check it out.  Its like YouTube but with only Christian content.  It looks like a great resource for Christian music videos, ministry promotional videos, as well as some sermon videos.

See here for an example music video.  Its the Newsboys doing “I Am Free” at Harvest ‘06 in Anahiem, CA.

April 2007 Newsletter

The Phoenix Area House Churches newsletter for April has been sent.  If you didn’t get your copy, click on the green box in the right sidebar to get signed up.   And while you are waiting for next months edition, go to the News page to read the current and past editions.

I hope you are blessed by the newsletter.  Comments are always welcome.

The Barna Update: April 9, 2007

You’d think that after thousands of years of practice, humans would have figured out how to consistently raise God-honoring children. Even a cursory examination of our society shows that’s obviously not the case. Barna’s new book, released this week, is entitled Revolutionary Parenting and it cites the results of a long-term research study conducted to figure out what perspectives and practices are most likely to produce spiritual champions. The study revealed that there are six critical dimensions for parents to master as they raise their youngsters. Read the free Barna Update about the book, as well as a sample section from the book. To read the full story, click here www.barna.org

Research Shows Parenting Approach Determines Whether Children Become Devoted Christians

What An Incredible Thought!

What An Incredible Thought!

 
When I think of it, it seems utterly unreal!

That long, long ago in the land of Israel,

Hung a man on a Roman cross–apparently a criminal;

Where He was given vinegar to drink intermingled with gall.

 

Think for a minute of the crucifixion story.

Between Jesus were two thieves; His face was all gory.

The sky was dark as night while the people jeered;

He was still smarting where they had plucked out his beard.

 

Jesus’ body was a silhouette in the ever-darkening light,

Suffering pain in excruciating measure–a pathetic sight!

It seemed to onlookers that His cause was done,

That the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and Satan had won.

 

My incredible thought is this and it amazes me so:

That outwardly all things appeared to be at an all time low!

Nevertheless, what God was doing when we were all unaware

Was to nail our sins to that cross, God’s wrath for Christ to bear!

 

How could anyone have imagined that such a terrible sight

Would cure me millennia hence of my spiritual plight?!

And not only for me, but for a multitude no man can count,

Did God purpose to overwhelm with His loving fount.

 

What was seen with human eyes was not the real story,

For Christ’s humiliation was actually to his glory!

And what glory indeed, for what did He do?

He passed through God’s judgment to justify me and you.

 

And not only for our offenses did Christ hang on that tree.

But He smote Satan with a crushing head wound, amazingly!

Principalities and powers did Christ overwhelmingly defeat,

To make our eternity with Him in glory replete.

 

I am filled with wonder in how God’s ways are so high!

So great is His love that my eyes turn towards the sky.

Perfect is He in His infinite wisdom,

In delivering us through the cross to His eternal kingdom.

 

Always had Jesus done perfectly the Father’s will.

Nevertheless, Jewish leaders plotted against him to kill.

But on that eventful day when evil appeared to win,

God was reconciling us to Himself, to Satan’s chagrin.

 

Isn’t it marvelous, even incredible, the gospel story?

That Jesus’ death on the cross would so resound to God’s glory!

So let us ever be reminded of this one heavenly thought:

We should not look at what is seen, but at what God has wrought!

 
Tom Atkinson

Good Friday

April 6, 2007

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. I remember someone asking me “Why is it good friday when this is the day Jesus was crucified? Whats good about that?” Just the question shows a deep misunderstanding of why Jesus went to the cross. In a booklet by Warren Wiersbe, “The Cross of Jesus”, he discusses three reasons why Jesus died on the cross.

First, Jesus died on the cross so that we might live through Him. And not because of anything we did, but because of His love for us.

“God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1Jo 4:9-10)

“But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. By grace you are saved!” (Eph 2:4-5)

Second, Jesus died on the cross so that we might live for Him. When you realize that we live through Him, how could we not want to live for Him.

“For Christ’s love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: if One died for all, then all died. And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised. “
(2Co 5:14-15)

“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. “
(Gal 5:24-25)

And third, Jesus died on the cross so that we might live with Him. Realize that this is our future.

“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. “
(1Th 5:9-10)

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you.If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”
(Joh 14:2-3)
Take some time today to reflect on those verses and on what Jesus did and why He did it. See here for more on Good Friday.

I wish everyone a great Easter weekend. Share the news of our Saviour with someone.