Before you head out for your weekend, here are three things that I have read and been thinking about this week. I hope they are as helpful and challenging for you as they have been for me.
Have a great weekend!
#1
Psalm 103 thus attests that the primary vehicle of theology is praise and doxology.
Lord of the Psalm by Patrick Miller
Not only does gratitude show the temperature of our spiritual life it also is the clearest way we to see our theology. As we thank God we are describing God’s character, depicting his ways, and acknowledging his power.
What do we think of God? The answer to that question, in part anyway, is what we give God thanks for. The greater our understanding of God the deeper our thanks and praise becomes.
#2
If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the opposite direction.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This one will make you stop in your tracks…pun intended. In terms of faith, it does not matter how zealous you are if you are zealous for the wrong things. We probably have all had people in our lives who hurtled headlong and full speed ahead into a bad decision. Their zealousness was actually a detriment to listening to sound advice.
Theology matters. Doctrine counts. “You do you” is not a loving response. But theology can seem boring. Doctrine can be confusing. It is much easier to operate from the book of 2 Opinions than 2 Thessalonians or trying to understand the book of Revelation (heaven help us all!)
Belonging to a group of people who are dedicated to having the conversations around theology, who are willing to dive into doctrine, who not only tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear, and who are committed to living with one another is one of the most important decisions you will make. In other words…find a church (if you haven’t already found one) who will challenge you and then stay when things get challenging. That is where and how this difficult work is accomplished.
#3
Certainty is the mark of a common-sense life; gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means to be uncertain in our ways. For each day is filled with God who may say – go, or stay.
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
Oswald Chambers reminds us that a gracious uncertainty is the mark of spiritual life. Certainty may feel good but a willingness to live in uncertainty is faith building.
todd nelson 