They celebrated the first Thanksgiving after losing 44 of the original 102 Pilgrims.

A 3 year vacation or one day with Jesus?

"For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness."
- Psalm 84:10

Which would you want: Three years of living it up on vacation or one day with Jesus? The psalmist declared that a single day in the courts of God would be better than 1000 days anywhere else. To the psalmist, a little time spent with God was far more desirable than anything else they could imagine on earth. Can I say that? Does God bring me that much joy?

The psalmist goes on to say that he would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than to dwell with wicked. Being a doorkeeper involved standing guard at the entrance of the tabernacle. Likely, it was often an uneventful job. There wasn't much glory in it. He wasn't up in front of everyone at church leading the service. He was simply doing his job, and delighting in it because it brought him near to the presence of God. He would likely have a more "successful" life dwelling with the wicked and living according to their ways. But worldly success does not bring joy and contentment. Am I content to faithfully serve in the background and simply be near to God? May the presence of God be our passion. May we find our joy in just being with him.

Intoxicated with Babylon. Are you Drunk?

I just finished reading Steve Gallagher's book, Intoxicated with Babylon. This book was given to me by a friend, and it is very convicting. Gallagher demonstrates how many professing "Christians" are living according to the spirit of this world (or kosmos as he likes to describe it). This work is a wake up call to all who claim the name of Christ! The sensuality and luxeries of Babylon has lulled many to sleep, thinking they are safe from God's promised destruction - all while not realizing they are being deceived by the spirit of kosmos. I agree with his current assessment of modern Christianity in that it "makes no demands, expects no sacrifice, and yields no eternal rewards. The Lion of Judah has been anesthetized, declawed, and tamed." Gallagher reminds us of John's warnings that true Christians will not love the world or live according to its ways. Our affections must be for Christ! Highly recommended!

Desiring God Audio Book - For FREE!

Christian Audio is offering a free audio download of John Piper's book, Desiring God. I have read the book and would recommended to anyone. Piper proposes a most remarkable assertion of the Christian faith: We must strive for pleasure. Christian Hedonism, as Piper calls it, is the pursuit of obtaining pleasure in God above all things, and it may change the way you think about Christianity. It is quite long, however, as the print version is over 300 pages. Listening to the audio version may make this book more accessible to some. Regardless, you have nothing to lose as it is Free!

Link to Christian Audio for Free Download of Desiring God

Scroll in the Fire Pot: Cutting and Burning the Word of God

"As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot." Jeremiah 36:23

The king did not like what he was hearing as the word of God was read, so he cut up the scroll piece by piece and threw it in his pot of fire. He continued cutting until the whole thing was in the fire. This is quite similar to today. We often don't like what he hear from the word of God, so we cut out certain parts, and burn them in our personal fire pot.

In Psalm 19, David declares that the words of God are more desirable than gold, and are sweeter than honey. Yet, he continues on to exalt the word for its warnings to the servants of God. How often do I appreciate the warnings of the Bible? We must realize that Biblical warnings are for our own good. The scroll that King Jehoiakim burned contained a warning from God, "so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin." Before we can enjoy the blessings of God's forgiveness, we must hear of our crimes against him, and his wrath reserved for those who do not obey. Because all scripture is inspired and profitable, we cannot choose the verses that make us feel good and ignore the rest. The glories of gospel of Christ are only clearly revealed against the backdrop of our depravity and his righteousness. We will not appreciate that we have been reconciled to God, until we understand that we are first objects of his wrath. When we cut and burn the hard parts of scriptures, we will not understand or appreciate God's amazing love and grace to mankind. If we continue to cut and burn, we will soon be left with nothing but ashes. If we received it all, we will treasure it as gold!