page turners book study Bloghttp://www.myfirstchurch.comSun, 20 May 2012 17:34:44 GMTMon, 20 May 1912 17:34:44 GMTThe Subject of Fearhttp://www.myfirstchurch.com/the-subject-of-fearWed, 15 Jul 2009 14:46:38 GMTCrystal ColpI'm not sure where you have found yourself in this whole subject of "The Fear of the Lord".  The story of Ananias and Sapphira has always brought a bit of a shudder to my heart.  This story does cause a certain amount of fear to well up.  This makes me wonder, what does it really look like to "Fear" God? Recently, I looked at the subject of fearing God at length while leading a study on the book of Proverbs.  During my study on this subject I ran across a quote from Charles Bridges:  [the fear of the Lord is] "that affectionate reverence by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father's law.  His wrath is so bitter, and his love so sweet; that hence springs and earnest desire to please Him."  The fool says "I'm so smart I don't need advice.  I don't need correction.  I can run my own life, thank you."  The wise person says, "God is great.  I am small.  Whatever I have learned of Him, I have so much more to learn!"  Where are you?

(Just a note:  There are references to speaking in tongues in this particular chapter.  The Church of God may have a different view of this subject than our author, but try not to get bogged down by semantics and just "chew up the meat and spit out the bones".  Just because we may disagree on a few things does not mean that we cannot learn from one another.)

]]>http://www.myfirstchurch.com/the-subject-of-fearA Natural Progression?http://www.myfirstchurch.com/a-natural-progressionWed, 15 Jul 2009 14:31:17 GMTCrystal ColpDid you notice the progression the author points out during this chapter?...death to self...unity...God's glory revealed...a fear or reverence of God...God's presence revealed in miraculous ways.  The pride that we talked about in our discussion of Chapter 5 is also apparent here in Chapter 6 as well.  Unity cannot and will not happen until we put our own personal motives and agendas aside.  At it's very roots the Church of God was founded on this principle.  "We reach our hand in fellowship to every blood-washed one."  Unity was at the heart of our movement.  And, unity was found in the heart of those that waited on the day of Pentecost.  Are the days of miracles and wonders gone?  Revival?  I don't think so.  Maybe, He is waiting on unity. Is there a progression...even a "divine order" to the revealed presence of God?  What do you think?

]]>http://www.myfirstchurch.com/a-natural-progressionDoing A Little Weeding...http://www.myfirstchurch.com/doing-a-little-weedingWed, 15 Jul 2009 14:17:45 GMTCrystal ColpI do agree with our author on this issue of irreverence.  I feel on some levels we have lost what it is to reverence the Lord in the sense that we try too hard (sometimes) to make Jesus and the gospel message too accessible.  But, I feel that irreverence truly comes about in our heart's attitude.  Maybe the real issue of irreverence stems from what we believe about God and how that translates into our everyday life.  Or, maybe the problem is not only how we feel about God, but how we feel about ourselves in relationship to God...So, in a nutshell I believe irreverence begins with the seed of PRIDE.  I guess that is the starting place for many ungodly attitudes.  Our challenge is to self-evaluate and determine if pride has taken root in our lives and if so it is time to do a little weeding. 

]]>http://www.myfirstchurch.com/doing-a-little-weedingThe Glory Debate!http://www.myfirstchurch.com/the-glory-debateTue, 26 May 2009 15:25:32 GMTCrystal ColpI entitle this "The Glory Debate" because I found myself not quite sure of where our author was heading while reading this chapter.  After finishing the chapter, I really wasn't sure that he completed his thought.  Or, at least not enough for me.  Now, don't get me wrong...I still like this book, but just because you read something and like it, that does not mean you should disengage your own brain.  You should always be willing to check things out for yourself.  It is important to "own" your beliefs. In saying all of this, I feel it is important to tell you as a disclaimer that our author comes from a different denomination than Church of God, Anderson, Indiana.  I tell you this not to cast a shadow on the book at all, but just to give you some insight on the perspective of our author.  This does not invalidate his point of view, it may just be a little different than what we are used to.  Different is not a bad thing.  As a matter of fact, different, adds color to our lives.  We should always be willing to challenge ourselves intellectually and open ourselves up to new ideas or ways of looking at things, if it is supported by the word of God. 

This chapter in particular took a bit of a "legalistic" view of the glory of God for me.  I found it a little hard to swallow that we cannot experience the glory of God while here on earth.  I do agree that we will not see the FULL glory of God until we meet Him face to face in eternity.  But, while agreeing with this, I disagree that we cannot, at moments, sense His glory and be aware of it.  If you read John 1:14 it says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  The apostles got a glimpse of the glory of God through Jesus.  And, my argument would be found within the passage in Galatians 4:4-7, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.  Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."  So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."  My thought process is this...while we may not see the FULL glory of God while here on earth, I do think it is enitirely possible, as Moses did in the OT, to get a glimpse of the glory.  I think it is made possible through the dwelling of the Spirit within the lives of other believers.  I think it is possible when looking into the faces of missionaries, pastors, teachers, lay people, who are totally committed and sold out for Jesus.  I also think it is possible to catch a glimpse of His glory by reading the word of God and allowing the words within the pages to transform us into a "likeness" of Christ for this lost and dying world.  I think it is possible to see a picture of His glory by reading through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, looking at the life of the Son of God, Jesus! 

So, while the author and I do not totally agree, I am appreciative for the thought provoking words he provides while challenging me to take a look at this subject in depth for myself.  What do you think?   

]]>http://www.myfirstchurch.com/the-glory-debateMy Big God!http://www.myfirstchurch.com/my-big-godTue, 19 May 2009 15:25:06 GMTCrystal ColpI am more of a creative/artsy sort of person, and science was never really my "cup of tea".  I made good grades, but I didn't really have a passion for it.  So, understanding the facts or "science" of our God is not something I have ever spent a great deal of time studying.  I will say that God tends to speak to me the most through His creation, so understanding His greatness and the "science" behind it should bring an excitement to my walk.  As I read this chapter I found myself rereading sentences several times just to try to wrap by brain around some of the numbers and utter vastness of the universe in which I live.  Then to put it into such a perspective as to talk about God measuring it all with the span of His hand was amazing. 

I have heard this topic discussed many times, and even read other books that have expounded on the subject of the greatness of God, but never in relation to the fear of the Lord.  I really thought that the illustration at the beginning of the chapter, about the NBA player really puts it into perspective for us.  We tend to hold up people that we can see, hear, and touch to a superstar status, and then speak of God in a very flippant manner as if it makes Him somehow more approachable. 

Now, our God IS approachable.  He does want us to approach His throne in prayer.  However, I would rather have the belief that my God can measure the heavens in the span of His hand than the belief that He is the "Big Gift-Giver In The Sky" that is at my beckon call.  And, I call only when I need Him as if He is MY servant instead of the other way around.  I do not want to have a picture of a weak, small, God.  I want to know and rest in the fact that THE ALMIGHTY GOD is in charge, and on the throne every single day!  That is where my trust must lie, and when I trust in this picture of my God THEN I can know what it is to fear Him. 

I will look at the night sky much differently now.  Sometimes we feel as if we cannot find God...that we are all alone. But, one time I read a quote that reminded me where to look for Him..."God reveals Himself before a watching world."  And, how does He do that?  Just look up, look out your window, look in your child's face, take time to watch a sunset and see if you don't see God somewhere along the way! 

What did you think of the chapter?  Please feel free to comment...I would love to have some group discussion going on while we are reading this book together.    

]]>http://www.myfirstchurch.com/my-big-godIrreverence?http://www.myfirstchurch.com/the-viewTue, 19 May 2009 03:07:25 GMTCrystal ColpHopefully you have all had the chance to get a copy of the book.  Now, that we have waited a couple weeks to allow for books to be purchased we are ready to get started.  From this point on we will be moving pretty fast through the book.  I will be blogging as often as my schedule will allow!  Are you ready? 

Lets start with the subject of irreverence.  Do you think that this is a problem in this generation?  What can be done about it?  Or, do you disagree in general with the author's line of thinking?  Our view of God, and the respect or lack there of, that it raises in our Spirits is what determines how we react to every situation in our lives...good or bad.  So, this is where our journey begins...with our view of the greatness of God!  Spend some time evaluating how you view your heavenly father.  And, let me know what you think. 

This book brings up so many good questions that it begs for discussion.  Even if you do not have the book, feel free to comment on these questions!  Chapter 3 speaks directly to the greatness of God.  If you have the book, go somewhere that gives you a visual reminder of the greatness of God and read this Chapter there.  I think it will bring to life for you what the author describes in the next chapter!   

]]>http://www.myfirstchurch.com/the-viewIs That The Wind or Is That The Presence of God?http://www.myfirstchurch.com/is-that-the-wind-or-is-that-the-presence-of-godMon, 04 May 2009 15:37:24 GMTCrystal ColpThis first Chapter is about an experience the author has at a speaking engagement, where the presence of the Lord shows up in a very tangible way!  Regardless of how you may view these type of experiences, the presence of God is real.  I think in general we fail miserably at sensing when He is present, therefore missing out on a blessing.  As I read this account I found myself desiring to have a heart that is so open that His presence is never missed.  What was your response to this Chapter?  Be honest, and as you think about your answer take a minute and read Psalm 139.

On the page right before this Chapter he asks us the question:  "Do you think the King of kings and Lord of lords is going to come into a place where He is not given due honor and reverence?"  So, what is your answer to this question?  What do you think "due honor and reverence" looks like? 

I am looking forward to our journey through this book together.  As you comment I will try my best to keep up and comment along with you.  Use this book study as a place to discuss with me the thoughts of this author and the subject of  "the fear of the Lord"!   

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