A good friend of mine started a new job this week. The offer was for a temporary position, but things changed.
The planned start date for his new job was next week, but things changed.

His temporary job became a full time job, and he started a few days early because a person his department died in a car accident.

That news hit me like a ton of bricks…
Someone had to die, so he could have a full time job….

Truth be told that is true for me too! Someone had to die so i could have my current full time job.

I work in full time Christian Ministry. I work in this ministry because someone died in my place.
Jesus Christ died, and took upon himself all my sin, and because of that i now work in full time Christian Ministry.

I would not have this job if not for the death of Jesus, the Christ.

Moments like this make me think of what my life would be like with our Christ.

I would not be married to Stephanie if i wasn’t a Christian. I meet her at Church.

I would not have my daughter Kate if i wasn’t a Christian because we adopted here through the State of Texas, as foster parents. A choice we made because of the call to care for orphans clearly presented in the bible.

My life is what it is because someone else died.

what about you?
Did someone have to die so you could be where you are?

Since 1996, when i was first called by the Lord Jesus, i have gone through many theological changes. For those who know me well, you know what those changes have cost me, and how they have effected all areas of my life.

i find myself at another interesting point in my theological journey.
One i can only call compromise. i mean that is a positive way, not in a sinful way (i hope).

I have been asking myself, what theological/doctrinal positions can i set aside for the sake of unity in the body, and in local ministry.

This question is a difficult one because often the theological/doctrinal positions people hold define the very God they serve.

yes, yes, i can hear it now the voice of the old man at a conference i was at once only a few years ago with a friend… “Doctrine divides brother.. you don’t need no Doctrine.. doctrine divides..”

That old man was correct, but i don’t think his conclusion was correct.

Doctrine is the thing that defines who and what we believe in. Without it, we are all left to our own individual interpretations of the bible, and that can be dangerous. This kind of individualistic approach to the bible can lead to terrible things. I often think how easy, and simplistic of a mistake was made by a man like Charles Taze Russell. Look at what a tragedy came from that “Bible” teaching.

The study of the Bible, and the definition of doctrines and theological positions is a high calling, one that needs checks and balances.

back to point.

What things can be set aside…. and what things can’t..
What do you do when you find your self serving along side brothers and sisters who hold to doctrinal positions that appear foundationally different then your own?

these are hard questions for me.

..now i must pray… Pray and ask the Lord who spoke the words of John 17 to give me wisdom on this issue of compromise and unity.

Recently I was asked by a close friend to pray for a sick family member that I had never meet. Later, as I began to pray I found myself at a loss for “what” to pray.  Again, because i had never meet this person, nor was i really sure what the problem was i had no clue what to pray.

Never the less, I prayed.

As I did, the Lord reminded me who HE is.

I was reminded that even though I don’t know the person nor his or her need, GOD DOES! And then my prayer turn more to a praise, and “cheering Him on” kind of thing. I prayed with a confidence knowing that God, the  Omnipotent, Omnipresent, GOD was able to heal, comfort and guide, this person because HE knew them intimately like a father.

With that perspective I saw prayer as a an opportunity to “partner” with God in his perfect will and work.

Prayer allows us to partner with God in HIS powerful, omnipotent, omnipresent work! What a privilege! What a gift, WHAT GRACE!

Prayer is not MY work, it’s God’s work being “cheered on” by me, and you.

Who will you “partner with God” in Prayer for today?

Sometimes it is good to praise God… for being God!

this is a great song!

Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right

1. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Holy His will abideth.
I will be still whate’er He does,
And follow where He guideth.
He is my God,
Though dark my road.
He holds me that I shall not fall
Wherefore to Him I leave it all

2. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path,
I know He will not leave me
I take, content,
What He hath sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His day

3. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Though now this cup in drinking
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it all unshrinking
My God is true,
Each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart
And pain and sorrow shall depart

4. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Here shall my stand be taken
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken
My Father’s care
Is round me there
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all

Here are two places to hear samples of this song. Diffrent Versions.

Sovereign Grace Music

Ruf Hymnal