Pondering the Word of God November 26, 2008
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In the midst of my academic study in the Bible, it is easy to lose focus on the fact that I am studying the Word of God. That I am not just learning cool ideas, but that I am learning about what God has written so that I can know Him more and make Him known to others! That is why I love our small group and the direction that we are going through the Psalms, as it continues to bring home the truth of the Word to my life. This week, we looked at the Psalms that call down cursings upon others. You know, “May his wife be a widow, his children fatherless, etc.” (see Psalms 69, 109, 137). I know how to study these with a proper understanding to their culture and original context, etc., and had made movements into how to apply them into my own heart. The idea that, “That is just the Old Testament, not the way the New Testament works” I knew was false but I didn’t know how to bridge it. I realized that two of these psalms are quoted in Acts 1 concerning Judas. They are NEW TESTAMENT! When Jonathan pointed out how these deal with evil and that they are calling upon God to do something about evil, I realized that this is how I pray them together. When I want justice done, I am praying these psalms. When I cry out against injustice, I am doing the same thing. Now, I do not do that too much in my context of suburbia, but these psalms would make sense when we are under spiritual assault, as in other countries and at time in our own country. We are called to hate evil (to abhor it as it says in the New Testament). These psalms are cases in point. Therefore, I am called to pray these against evil, both outside and also INSIDE my heart.
Wow…there are cool structural things going on, but also cool spiritual things going on.
My wife! November 25, 2008
Posted by bdennert in Blog.add a comment
Beth has a blog now. And she is being more faithful and insightful with it than me, so you should check it out. If nothing else, you might learn how I live instead of how I think 
http://www.bethdennert.blogspot.com/
That’s all for now, hopefully in the next week I will be done with applications and have more work done for school so I can do more on this.
“Show Me What to Do” November 21, 2008
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I was reflecting on this verse in a song (by Third Day, of course) and the genius of this phrase hit me. It is not, tell me what to do. It is “Show me what to do.” Telling is a command, one that involves no discernment or participation by the second part. Showing involves a lot more. It involves that why. It involves that how and the steps. It builds and grows you in the process. As I pray for discernment, I do not pray that God will tell me something, but that he will show me something because in the process, I discover much about God. Oh Lord, “Show me what to do.”
How would you do it? November 18, 2008
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Life can be scary when you think about. While we think we are in control of our lives, there are some moments where we finally realize that we are not. Right now would be one of those moments. I am starting to finish up (I know that sounds weird, huh?) some of my applications for PhD programs. This, of course, presents a plethora of questions. What if I don’t pick the right ones? What if I am not good enough to get in? What if politics prevent me from getting into a place? What if the professor I am most interesting in working with leaves or does not like me? What if I get accepted to a lower tier school? What happens after that–could I even find a job? All those questions swirl, but then I realize that what I have that other people do not is the certanity that God is at work. He is opening and closing doors. He might open doors I am not to walk through, but when He closes doors, I know He is calling someplace else. I know my posts have been about the stresses of life lately, but in the midst of stress, I have a God in charge and one who cares for me–what an aweomse combination
The Power of Communion November 13, 2008
Posted by bdennert in Humor, Ministry, Theology and Ministry.add a comment
Here’s a quick quote for today on the power of communion and how it always draws our eyes back to the gospel and keeps preachers gospel focused in their preaching.
“You can’t preach a sermon on 10 ways to help relieve the stress of your pet and then transition to communion. There are just not words to do that.”
Spoken by Kevin DeYoung, a godly pastor I heard speak today. And right on!
Learning My Limits November 8, 2008
Posted by bdennert in Ministry, Spirituality.add a comment
This was supposed to be a great fall. Going back to school. Still a newlywed. Building relationships with other couples and friends. Holding adult education ministries and other ad hoc pastoral duties. And yet it seems that I have been more sick and tired…and sick and tired. I do not usually get ill, but this is probably the third time I have come down with something (or never shaken the first thing). I never have enough time to do my studies and to work on applications….and yet I also never have enough time with my wife or to build my pastoral ministry. As I mentioned a few weeks back, something has to give, right, I have to cheat something or really make everything suffer. Maybe what I am realizing is that I am not superman. While I was bored last year because I didn’t have enough to do, I am overwhelmed this year because I have too much to do. The things that bothered me last year and not the same things that are bothering me this year, sometimes they are the things that I miss. And I also am seeing a pattern of wanting to fail or be frustrated, of marginalizing myself so that I might not get hurt (I don’t know if that is it), but there are personal tendencies I am continuing to learn. Well, I guess this is a growing experience….the question is what I am growing into.
