http://www.worldmag.com/2015/10/building_church_community_the_right_way/page1

Food for thought concerning the typical local church and how community is founded and fostered. I am interested enough to read the book. One thing is certain, true gospel community can only and will only be built on the gospel which will be diverse ethnicities, societies, etc. May God grow His church, His way, for His Glory!

I am encouraged & exhorted by the Psalmists confidence in the Lord our God. In Psalm 2 the nations seek to rise up and overcome Him, to which the Psalmist states, "He who sits in the heavens laughs.." The Lord scoffs at His enemies attempts to overtake Him and thwart His plans. The best option of the wicked kings lies in their submitting to the sovereign rule of Lord. If they would be wise, serve the Lord with fear and rejoice in Him, then they would be blessed. Those who take refuge in the Lord will be blessed (made whole). We can have the same confidence as we meditate upon the Word and rest in His sovereign rule over every and all circumstances, if we chose to take refuge in Him we will enjoy the blessedness of His presence. How I need to be reminded in this day and hour our family is facing that He, our conqueror, laughs at the pseudo-strength of the enemy. Our God is Mighty indeed. 

"Blessed is the man......[whose] delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His law He meditates day and night." Psalm1:1

A simple truth that daily evades my thinking. I am appalled by my own mindset, though often unrecognized and unstated, that blessedness comes from mere hard work and being "a good guy." Ruminating upon the Word, not mere religious activity or hard work, brings blessedness to the believer, the worshipper of Yahweh. I have much to learn from the cows who ruminate or chew the cud. They chew, swallow, partially digest, regurgitate and being all over until all the goodness is consumed from the food. Blessedness, happiness, wholeness of life will come when I ruminate/meditate on the Word daily with the distinct purpose of knowing Him. Such involves more than merely reading the Word, I must chew on the Word which involves thinking then returning later to think deeply upon the text. The Psalmist says, "he [the one meditating upon the Word] is like a tree planted by the rivers of water [flourishing in life] that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither." I am thankful that the Father so desires me/us to flourish that He has given us His written Word. Now, I must go to ruminate and meditate. Have a splendid day of worshipping the King!

"Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding." Job 28:28
Reverence and awe of the Lord is/brings wisdom which is not a mere "decision" but rather a way of thinking about matters. Walking in wisdom should be, must be the desire and passion of the follower of Jesus. I wish no longer to be a mere "church goer" who does some "Christian work," but rather one who lives with wisdom drawn from the Word cultivated in my heart and saturating my mind. May God grant me the grace to turn from evil today as temptations, and sometimes fierce temptations, arise.