64th National Lectureship in Alabama Recap

So! How was the Lectureship? Any bloggers attend?
Holla at me. Let me know what I missed.

Hamilton went. Said he enjoyed it. But he enjoys any reason to get out of town. So who else?

"We Hope Because He Lives"

Let us speak of the Resurrection. (I know, I know!!! Sorry. Easter came too early for me this year.)

Paul says in I Corinthians 15:9, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”


This statement is part of a passionate apology to the church at Corinth concerning an embarrassingly illogical false teaching. Some of the faith had dared put forth that there was no such thing as the resurrection from the dead. Paul lays out many arguments against that false teaching throughout this chapter, but the first argument resonates in my heart.


He basically says that if there is no resurrection, then what are we doing here? In fact, who are we anyway? Resurrection is key, the central theme of our beliefs. Without it life is limited to the here and now, hustle and bustle, ups and downs of a meaningless, hopeless, temporary existence. If this is all we have to look forward to, then we are most miserable.


The Resurrection is so integral, that if it did not happen, then all teaching of Scripture and all belief in Jesus becomes vain. He is Lord of all because He conquered all. If He was not resurrected then He did not overcome death, hell and the grave. He would then be Lord of some and therefore a great liar, and we the greatest of fools. Every Christ-centered hope, doctrine and belief would cave in without Him rising from the grave.


Paul says, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” Housed within this logical equation is a great statement of faith. Conversely it says, “We are not at all miserable because we have hope in Christ beyond this life.” This means that present circumstances are not indicative of future possibilities. Believers have a tiptoe expectancy of the future. In this life and after, we believe that better things are coming.


We groan sometimes but not miserably. We cry sometimes but not despondently. We suffer sometimes but not hopelessly. We believe in better days, and happier times because of the Lord we serve. He rose from the dead to let us know there’s a good ending to this story.


“Because he lives, I can face tomorrow
Because he lives, all fear is gone
Because I know, who holds the future.
And life is worth the living just because He lives”


"Hopedealing"

64th National Lectureship Speakers and Workshops

The Lectureship is just a few days away. The line up of speakers and workshops promises to be explosively edifying. I'm sorry I will miss it. For those who are going, make sure you register and have a good time. Those who are not going, this is what you will miss.

The Great Confession

"I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God."

Undoubtedly, the greatest words that mortal tongue could utter. Sweeter than the 'Mama' of tender infancy. Weightier than the 'I dos' of holy matrimony. To confess Jesus as Christ, to recognize His Lordship, is the singular greatest truth one can admit. Deciding to follow him as Lord is the best, the most important decision one can make.

The word CONFESS, is a compound word meaning to speak (-fess) along with (con-). Confessing that Christ is Lord is to speak alongside God. It is to agree with God about the position of His son. Awesome.

Confession also carries with it a sense of grudging admittance. An almost embarrassing compliance made under duress. Like what is said in repentance from sin or what is given to the police after an interrogation.

I think this comes in to play when one acknowledges that Jesus is Lord.

First, because it means that you are not. There can only be one master. One Boss. One Chief. And who better than Jesus to be Lord. Inconceivable intellect coupled with incomprehensible compassion. Plus a dynamic resume that extends beyond Genesis 1. He deserves the place of Preeminence.

Second, it recognizes the singular act of dying for our sins. He became Lord uncontested after the resurrection. The rising from the grave is directly connected to the sacrifice on the cross. That sacrifice was for the sins of the entire world. He took the fatal beating that each of us deserved. It makes sense then, that we feel guilt in the admittance of His Lordship. It shows respect for the price paid for His throne.

Regardless, we should hold fast that true confession. Lordship makes life make sense. Submitting to His authority is not giving up anything; it is gaining everything.

"More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ (Phil. 3:8)."

The Jigsawed Life

During the Christmas Holidays I enjoyed one of my favorite hobbies – Jigsaw Puzzles!!! I’m not sure why I like them so much. I think it has something to do with my incredible ability to make sense out of chaos, or bringing the hard to see out into the open. (Can I get an Amen?)

One thing I know, when those different pieces come together and create an image, I get happy. Endorphins are flowing and the mind is at peace. It’s a unique thrill to identify and organize 1500 little pieces to make one singular, unified, beautiful image.

It reminds me of life. Each of us has the goal of bringing all of the pieces of our lives together into the desired image. You'd love to just do it all at once, but time, trial and error, experience and such like, must have their place.

Look at these similarities between life and jigsaw puzzles.

1. You need patience, lots of patience in both.

2. The more pieces, the more time and effort.

3. Everybody doesn’t get into puzzles.

4. It helps to have a semblance of the finished product in front of you.

5. Some pieces you can’t figure out, but others are pretty obvious as to where they go. Like borders, grass, sky, etc.

6. The mystery pieces become plain towards the end.

7. Some may want to help and can be of great aid.

8. Some may think they want to help, but give up saying, “This just ain’t my thing.”

9. Watch out for kids! Dominic likes to “make” the pieces fit.

10. Don’t lose any pieces. That’s very frustrating at the end. But it doesn’t destroy or ruin the picture.

11. Sometimes it is overwhelming when you get stuck.

12. But it is a great feeling when the pieces fall into place.

13. You’d be surprised how walking away, doing something else or taking a nap will help you to see a connection hiding in plain sight.

14. Friends and family are amazed and complementary of your rewarded patience.

I hope you see it.
I hope it hopes you.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (I John 3:1-3).”