"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."
- Proverbs 13:20
Who you hang out with determines who you will become. If you want to be a godly person, then hang out with godly people. If you want to grow in your love for Christ, then hang out with people whose hearts are set ablaze with love for Christ. On the contrary, if you want to be lukewarm in your faith, then hang out with people who are lukewarm in their faith. It's really not a difficult truth to understand.
In fact, I have found in numerous business books this same principle. They say if you want to be a succesful salesman, then hang out and learn from other succesful salesmen. If you want to be a millionaire, then hang with the millionaires.
You see this in the sports world too. There is a reason in sports we talk about coaching trees. Coaching trees are lines of succesful coaches that can be traced by to one individual (i.e. Bill Walsh or Bill Parcells). The reason they become great coaches is because they spent hundreds of hours with a great coach!
Just to be clear, what I'm not saying is that you should avoid spending time with non-believers or new believers. But what I am saying is that whoever you spend the bulk of your time with will determine who you become. Aa a matter of fact, it is the height of foolishness to say that you want to become a mature follower of Christ, but never spend time with mature followers of Christ.
This is a call to be wise in who you develop long-lasting, deep relationships with. The most important one is with Jesus Christ, because apart from Him we can do nothing. But also, those of us who bear the name of Christ, and want to grow in godliness, need to be intentional about having close relationships with other wise, mature believers.
Think about who you want to become as a Christian, then surround yourself with people who are ahead of you, or right there with you, on that journey.
- Tyler Durham
Monday, October 31, 2011
Daily Bread
"The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength... But they who wait for the lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." -Isaiah 60:28-31 ESV
- Blake Hawksworth
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Jesus and The Occupiers
As much as I'd like to stay out of it, I feel the need to bring up the "Occupy" movement going on nationally and extending globally. CNN recently posed the question, Would Jesus Occupy Wall St.? What do you think? What should I think? Are you for the Occupy movement? If so, why and what does being for it even mean? What about the Tea Party movement? Are you for that instead or are they the same thing? What side would Jesus walk with? What side should we walk with? What about our President? Do you support or oppose our President? What about capitalism? Is it evil or is socialism evil? As a believer should you be a Republican or Democrat? Liberal or Conservative? Where should you get your information on all these topics? Fox News or MSNBC? Amidst all this division and turmoil, where would Jesus stand and how should we follow Him? My own humble answer may surprise you (or perhaps disappoint you).
To answer quickly, I don't want to argue that Jesus might walk amidst the Occupy movement. I do however claim that if He was found there, He would not be there to protest. You see, Jesus isn't for the 99% or the 1%. Jesus is for the 100%. Be careful with picking sides and feeding your head with a particular side's agenda. As a follower of Jesus, we are called to love those like us and those unlike us even more so. But Terry, our political system is full of corruption and something must be done! Ok, I don't argue with that. But if we're going to take action, let's take Biblical action.
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
The verse says enough (especially if you consider the context). So as a follower of Christ are we loving the 100%? Are we spending more time and energy complaining about or praying for our leaders? Sorry. Somebody had to bring it up.
- Terry Evans
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Martin Luther
"The Christian feels the unholy condition of his heart, and it makes him feel so low that he cannot trust in his good works. He therefore goes to Christ to find perfect righteousness. This keeps a Christian humble."
- Blake Hawksworth
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Matt Chandler Quote
"Do you know what a better human being you are... How happy you are... If you understand that ultimately everything is about God and NOT ABOUT YOU. It is a freedom that few taste."
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Telling Yourself the Truth
Psalm 42:5 - "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God."
Blake's last post got me thinking about Psalm 42:5 and the importance of talking to ourselves. I know that sounds strange, but we talk to ourselves all the time! There is a constant inner conversation going on and we see this in Psalm 42:5. David asks his soul why it is cast down.
What I want you to see from this text is that David tells his downcast soul to do something. Many of us let that inner dialogue go rogue all the time. We lose control of it and it can cause us to be discouraged. Maybe you had an argument with your wife, or maybe you have bills that need to be paid and you don't have the money. Or for you baseball guys maybe you are 0 for your last 20, or couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Fear begins to slither into your inner dialogue and anxiety begins to suffocate you. It is at this point that you have to take control and talk to yourself. It is at this point that you need to start telling yourself the truth.
So what does David do? He speaks to himself. And what does he tell his soul to do? Hope in God! He says "soul! hope in God!" Inwardly he asks the important question, "why do I feel the way I do," and then he gives himself the remedy, which is "hope in God."
Daily we are in a battle and the frontlines are in the mind. I challenge you when you are heavy hearted, anxious, or fearful to speak words of truth to your soul and lift up your soul with the Word of God.
Blake's last post got me thinking about Psalm 42:5 and the importance of talking to ourselves. I know that sounds strange, but we talk to ourselves all the time! There is a constant inner conversation going on and we see this in Psalm 42:5. David asks his soul why it is cast down.
What I want you to see from this text is that David tells his downcast soul to do something. Many of us let that inner dialogue go rogue all the time. We lose control of it and it can cause us to be discouraged. Maybe you had an argument with your wife, or maybe you have bills that need to be paid and you don't have the money. Or for you baseball guys maybe you are 0 for your last 20, or couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Fear begins to slither into your inner dialogue and anxiety begins to suffocate you. It is at this point that you have to take control and talk to yourself. It is at this point that you need to start telling yourself the truth.
So what does David do? He speaks to himself. And what does he tell his soul to do? Hope in God! He says "soul! hope in God!" Inwardly he asks the important question, "why do I feel the way I do," and then he gives himself the remedy, which is "hope in God."
Daily we are in a battle and the frontlines are in the mind. I challenge you when you are heavy hearted, anxious, or fearful to speak words of truth to your soul and lift up your soul with the Word of God.
Emotions are commanded in the Bible
Hope
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?" -Psalm 42:5
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." -1 Peter 1:13
Contentment
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'." -Hebrews 13:5
Peace
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful." -Col 3:15
Zeal
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." -Romans 12:11
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?" -Psalm 42:5
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." -1 Peter 1:13
Contentment
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'." -Hebrews 13:5
Peace
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful." -Col 3:15
Zeal
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." -Romans 12:11
Friday, October 7, 2011
Strength in Weakness
Great quote from Paul Tripp in his book War of Words:
"Our weakness will not get in the way of what the Lord wants to do in us. Our delusions of strength will! The power of God is for the weak! The grace of God is for the unable! The promises of God are for the faint! The wisdom of God is for the foolish!
"Our weakness will not get in the way of what the Lord wants to do in us. Our delusions of strength will! The power of God is for the weak! The grace of God is for the unable! The promises of God are for the faint! The wisdom of God is for the foolish!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Conisder Others More Important than Yourself
“But in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3b
Wow, what does that look like? How on earth could I possibly consider others more important than me? It sounds good, but I know my heart too well. The only way you or I can count others as more significant than ourselves is, as Paul says, “ in humility.” The problem is humility is unnatural. Because of the fall, my natural inclinations have been toward pride and self-centeredness, not humility.
In fact, I have spent my whole life trying to get others to see how significant I am – not how significant they are – and my guess is you have done the same thing. This is a result of our sinful nature, and according to Paul this breed’s disunity, back-biting, gossip, covetousness, and other unity destroying sins. This is not the way of the cross: the way of the cross is lowliness, humility, and service to others.
In the letter to the Philippians, Paul is writing to a church that is being persecuted from the outside and experiencing division from within. They need a Word from God and the Word He gives is look at others as more important than you. The supreme example of this counting others as more significant than ourselves, is God Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. Paul says that “though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:6-8). It is only through the power of Christ – given to us in the Holy Spirit – that we can follow the example of Christ and count others as more significant than ourselves. This is impossible without the supernatural power of God working in our lives.
So what would this really look like? What would it do to our marriages if we counted our wives as more significant than ourselves? What about our children? I mean really. I have a nine month old daughter named Rachel. What if from this day until the day I die I communicate to her – through my actions – that I think she is more significant than I am. What about at work? What about on your team? What about in our church? I think it would be revolutionary.
I know we all want unity in our families? I know you want unity on your team? I know we all want unity at the workplace? I know we all want unity in our churches? This being the case, let’s ask God to help us cultivate humility in our life. Let’s confess our sin of selfishness and pride and ask God to help us to begin considering those around us as more significant than ourselves.
TD
Wow, what does that look like? How on earth could I possibly consider others more important than me? It sounds good, but I know my heart too well. The only way you or I can count others as more significant than ourselves is, as Paul says, “ in humility.” The problem is humility is unnatural. Because of the fall, my natural inclinations have been toward pride and self-centeredness, not humility.
In fact, I have spent my whole life trying to get others to see how significant I am – not how significant they are – and my guess is you have done the same thing. This is a result of our sinful nature, and according to Paul this breed’s disunity, back-biting, gossip, covetousness, and other unity destroying sins. This is not the way of the cross: the way of the cross is lowliness, humility, and service to others.
In the letter to the Philippians, Paul is writing to a church that is being persecuted from the outside and experiencing division from within. They need a Word from God and the Word He gives is look at others as more important than you. The supreme example of this counting others as more significant than ourselves, is God Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. Paul says that “though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:6-8). It is only through the power of Christ – given to us in the Holy Spirit – that we can follow the example of Christ and count others as more significant than ourselves. This is impossible without the supernatural power of God working in our lives.
So what would this really look like? What would it do to our marriages if we counted our wives as more significant than ourselves? What about our children? I mean really. I have a nine month old daughter named Rachel. What if from this day until the day I die I communicate to her – through my actions – that I think she is more significant than I am. What about at work? What about on your team? What about in our church? I think it would be revolutionary.
I know we all want unity in our families? I know you want unity on your team? I know we all want unity at the workplace? I know we all want unity in our churches? This being the case, let’s ask God to help us cultivate humility in our life. Let’s confess our sin of selfishness and pride and ask God to help us to begin considering those around us as more significant than ourselves.
TD
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Re-Introduction
It has been so long since I have been involved in the E-Fellowship conversation that I feel I need to re-introduce myself. My name is Tyler Durham. I am a former player for the St. Louis Cardinals organization and one of the original contributors to the E-Fellowship blog (that was a long time ago and this thing is still going!). I am currently finishing my Masters of Divinity degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in my hometown of Fort Worth, Tx. I have been married for 3 1/2 years to my wife Ariane and we have a 9 month daughter named Rachel.
My desire, Lord willing, is to finish my MDiv in May, then enter the PhD program here at Southwestern. Ultimately, I want to teach and preach the Bible in whatever place the Lord has for me, whether in the classroom or the church.
What I want to do in this post is share with you several reasons why I want to return to the E-Fellowship blog:
1. Even though I have not seen many of the guys who contribute to this blog in years, I still consider them good friends and through this blog hope to continue our friendship.
2. I want to help the followers of this blog grow in their Christian walk. Whether it is through a biblical passage that I have been wrestling with, a great quote in a book that I am reading, or a personal story of my struggle with sin, I want to be a means of encouragement to those who follow this blog.
3. I want to share what I have learned in these last 3 years of seminary. I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to get a masters level education at a solid, bible-believing, evangelical seminary. By God's grace I have been granted this opportunity and I feel a certain responsibility to share the things I have learned, not keep them to myself. What better way than on the E-Fellowship blog?
4. I want to benefit and contribute to the conversation that his been going on through E-Fellowship over these last several years.
5. I want to be a part of what God is going to do through E-Fellowship in the future.
Well, that is a little bit about who I am and why I am back. I thought before I starting throwing out posts I should re-introduce myself.
My desire, Lord willing, is to finish my MDiv in May, then enter the PhD program here at Southwestern. Ultimately, I want to teach and preach the Bible in whatever place the Lord has for me, whether in the classroom or the church.
What I want to do in this post is share with you several reasons why I want to return to the E-Fellowship blog:
1. Even though I have not seen many of the guys who contribute to this blog in years, I still consider them good friends and through this blog hope to continue our friendship.
2. I want to help the followers of this blog grow in their Christian walk. Whether it is through a biblical passage that I have been wrestling with, a great quote in a book that I am reading, or a personal story of my struggle with sin, I want to be a means of encouragement to those who follow this blog.
3. I want to share what I have learned in these last 3 years of seminary. I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to get a masters level education at a solid, bible-believing, evangelical seminary. By God's grace I have been granted this opportunity and I feel a certain responsibility to share the things I have learned, not keep them to myself. What better way than on the E-Fellowship blog?
4. I want to benefit and contribute to the conversation that his been going on through E-Fellowship over these last several years.
5. I want to be a part of what God is going to do through E-Fellowship in the future.
Well, that is a little bit about who I am and why I am back. I thought before I starting throwing out posts I should re-introduce myself.
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