Wednesday, May 23, 2012    

Check Out These Blogs…

Thursday, July 24th, 2008

As a relative newcomer to this whole blogging thing (although I find it hard to believe I’ve been at it for over a year now), I am always on the lookout for other blogs that interest me. Lately I have found myself making frequent trips to the following blogs. I share them here in the spirit of blogging camaraderie and sharing (it’s always good to share right?). You may find something here that interests you…you might not…but it never hurts to try something new once in a while.:wink: Note that I am not including blogs on this list from people I know personally…it’s nothing personal (pun intended), but I’m trying to expand my horizons too (you can check out all the blogs I read on the sidebar links)…

dBlogIt

Author: Dustin Boston
Tag-line: A Christian Blog about Manhood & Masculinity for Christian Men
My Thoughts:I absolutely love the theme, content, and writing that Dustin does on this blog. It’s written from a Christian perspective, but it’s not all “uppity spiritual” (I know, that’s not a word). This is Christian manhood at it’s best…real, authentic, and practical. I especially liked his blogs on the manliest cars and making the switch to a push mower. Dustin does some great writing and the topics are right up my alley. You won’t be disappointed.

Grow Some Onions! 

Author: G. Scott (a.k.a: “Big Daddy”)
Tag-line: Because the World Needs REAL Men
My Thoughts: First, i absolutely love the blog name, logo, and tag line! I continue to be amazed at how creative other people are. Again, this is a blog geared toward Christian men and I like the topics and posts I’ve read so far. It too is “down to earth”…Big Daddy keeps it real (if not edgy) and speaks to practical issues and topics. Check it out.

I AM (not)

Author: Natalie Witcher
Tag-line: He’s God. I’m Not. It Works.
My Thoughts:Natalie’s blog is certainly in contrast to the two above, but having a balance is always good. She writes from a female perspective, of course, but is still comes from a Biblical perspective. Her writing style is smooth and easy to read and I love her sense of humor! The blog design is out of this world and she keeps you coming back for more. Check out this “softer side” of the Christian blogging community. :wink:

There ya go…like I’ve said (too many times)…check these blogs out and let me (and them) know what you think. And if you’ve got a blog or two that you recommend, please share…you’ll make your mom so proud!

More Than Sacrifice? (Part 3)

Thursday, July 24th, 2008

Read Part 1 Here                                       Read Part 2 Here

This is the third (and final) installment of our journey into the following Scripture passage:

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices.
I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6, NLT

Today we examine the second “command”: “…to know me…” This is my favorite part of this particular verse because it speaks to my spiritual longing—to know God more and more every day. So let’s again start by looking at the Hebrews words themselves. In this case, the Hebrew “yada Elohim” is what gets translated “to know God”…

Yada : Information of a person, with a strong implication of relationship to that person

Elohim : The God of creation and judgement

There are many names used to describe God in Scripture (specifically in the Hebrew texts) so it’s important to know which name is being used, and what it means. Elohim is the same name used all the way back in Genesis (“In the beginning God…”). It is the name most often used when describing God and often has an implication of “the God of Israel”.

Again, the context is important here. The God of creation, the God of Israel is calling His people back to Himself in Hosea. They have betrayed Him…turned to other gods and idols. And what does He want? He wants them to come back and to know Him. He wants a personal relationship with them.

Every time I think about this it blows my mind. The God who SPOKE the universe into existence wants to have a personal relationship with us…with ME! The God of creation wants me to know Him…wants it more than I want it…wants it more than He wants my “burnt offerings”. He does want my obedience and my sacrifice, but even more than that He wants me to know Him. Sometimes it’s hard to believe…but there it is.

So where does that leave us? Simply put, God wants us to show Him love and devotion and He wants us to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him. I don’t know about you, but knowing this is what God desires makes me want to work at it just a little bit harder—more deliberately and with a little more intentionality (maybe just with a little more heart and passion). It’s liberating to know that the God I desire and love desires and loves me.