Notes from the Trail

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I just submitted by chapter for the upcoming Age of Conversation - Why Don’t They Get It? book to be released in August. It was due today, and as I have been sorting out what I wanted to say in my little corner of the book, I quickly over-said my limit. It was 400 words or less. 

So I scrapped what I was writing and started over. However, I thought I’d post my first attempt and let you chew through it. Hope you’re ready to listen…

(more…)

These days of ever-soaring gas prices bring quite a relief when I motor up to the pump on Ghost. Not only is my checking account breathing easier, but I feel like I’m doing the world a favor by not unquestionably consuming gallons and gallons of gas when there are other options. Except for some mild inconveniences, I highly recommend the $600-$800 investment into a moped. If you’re like most SUV-addicted U.S. families, you’ll pay for the moped in saved gas in 2-3 months.

Here are some of the inconveniences over the past year in driving a moped:

1. Bad weather means you stay at home or hitch a ride
2. Hitching rides too often makes you feel bad 
3. Bugs hurt like Hades at 35 mph
4. Tobacco-stained teeth sneers from pickup truck windows (of course, most times, there’s only 3-4 teeth in the mouth anyway)
5. Not much luggage room
6. Gravel on streets becomes a hazard when turning (you don’t think about those things in a car)
7. Bird poo has no roof to hit first
8. Takes a little longer to get places (but a whole new world of back-street and parking-lot shortcuts opens to you)
9. Soccer mom snickers (it seems that driving a mini-van is more cool than a moped, so now I’m apparently low-man on the cool totem pole)
10. The smell of roadkill is intense (but you’re less likely to do second-hand smush)

I’ve been using this book for a while now in my personal devotional time, and I have to recommend it to anyone who is looking to “jump start” their Bible study. If you don’t have a plan or are in-between studies, this Following God Character Series is very good. I’ve done 2-3 in the series.

Life Principles for Following Christ is a 12-week interactive Bible study. There is material to read and respond to for five days in each of the chapters. The 12 chapters each take a deeper look at Christ’s roles in the following ways:

• The Last Adam
• The Seed
• The Angel of the Lord
•  Lawgiver and Judge
• The King
• The Prophet
• The High Priest
• The Son of Man
• Christ in Prayer
• The I AM
• Rabbi and Teacher
• Lamb of God

The one on the kings of the Old Testament was not only informative and helpful, but it also helped place into perspective a timeline of God’s dealings with the nation of Israel. Knowing the events of the Old Testament enables one to relish with gratitude God’s intervention through Christ in the New.

What Bible reading plan or study are you currently involved in?

Top ‘o the week t’ya!

I’m curious this morning… what do you have set for your homepage when your browser comes up?

Here’s mine:

The following video is one church’s response to the folks who took their trailer with sound equipment, Bibles, children’s ministry items, and everything this new church owned, basically.I’d encourage you to watch it and see how grace can drastically impact a Christian’s response to setbacks. 

I’m thrilled to be part of a church that also welcomes losers. I should know since I see one in the mirror daily!