Category Archives: Passages of the Bible

Passages of the Bible

“Watch Me”

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ImagesI read this testimony on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer today, and I thought I would post it as a challenge to us all.

In 1943 SS officers broke into the church where Dietrich Bonhoeffer was preaching and hauled him off to a concentration camp.  Upon his arrival, the commandment said, "Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the famous preacher and writer, come up here and address the assembly.  I will give you two minutes."

"I don't need two minutes," Bonhoeffer said, "just two words: 'Watch me.'"  

Although the Nazis beat him mercilessly, every time they lifted a hand or used a club, Bonhoeffer would smile, lift his eyes toward heaven, and say, "Father, forgive them.  They know not what they do."  He shared a portion of every meal with either a fellow prisoner or one of the Nazi guards.  He was constantly smiling, constantly praying, constantly loving – to the point that revival began to break out in the concentration camp.  It wasn't because of a word he said, but because of what he did.

May the Lord our God empower us to love not in word only, but also (and more importantly) in deed.  If people watched my life…I wonder, would they come to Christ? (1 John 3:18).  Words are necessary, but I remember hearing it said, "They won't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."

God bless and keep you!

p.s. – If you want to read on the life of Bonhoeffer – a recommended book is The Cost of Discipleship

Movies, Passages of the Bible

Taught by an Ant?

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This morning I was reading the book of Proverbs when I came across the section of the hard-working exemplary ant. I was reminded of this video I took when we were in South America (El Secreto, Chile). Proverbs 6:6-8 says, "Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest."  Man, how we need that reminder to work hard, and to fight that temptation to "chilax" too frequently. Another Proverb puts it this way, "The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich." (13:4) (And for further study/conviction: see Proverbs 10:26; 12:24, 27; 15:19; 19:24; 20:4; 21:25; 24:30; 26:14-16; Matthew 25:26; Titus 1:12-13). I know, I know, that's a lot of verses, but I need a grip of reminders 🙂

Coronilla Clan, Movies, Passages of the Bible

Our Wedding Vows

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It was May 9, 1992 when Shelly and I made these vows to the Lord, before family and friends. May we never forget the vows we made to God. Ecclesiastes 5:5 says, "It is better not to vow than to vow and not to pay." 

I must say that I have had an absolutely wonderful and fulfilling life, because I've spent it with the one God made for me. He has His ways of reminding me of that, everyday. Shelly completes me – in Christ – we're truly husband and wife, ish and isha (she's actually my better half).  We've had some rough times, but the Lord and His amazing grace have always kept us…may God be glorified, and may He strengthen our marriage even more.


Passages of the Bible

Romans 12:3-8

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In today’s study Paul the apostle encourages us to have a sober view of ourselves. Not to think too highly, but at the same time, not to think too “low”. Whatever gifts we have, as Christians, should be exercised for God’s glory and the good of the rest of the body. I always tell people to discover their gifts, to develop those gifts and to deploy those gifts. If you want to check out the study notes, click here.

Coronilla Clan, Passages of the Bible, Prayer Requests, Travel

A Day in the Snow

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DSC03945

I was super blessed this last Tuesday to be able to go skiing with my son Aaron.  It was his first time skiing; and for me, it was the first time in about 20 years.  We decided to take a lesson and then venture out in faith.  

As you might expect, there was a lot of falling going on, (I can't tell you how many times I picked Aaron up) as a matter of fact, Aaron took a terrible spill that left him with a bloody abrasion on the right side of his face.  But, in spite of all the painful spills, when all was said and done, we both had had an awesome time, enjoying each other and the beauty of God's creation.   

I am so grateful to God for giving me this time with my son…and I just hope and pray that Aaron knows, he has a heavenly Father who will always be there to lift him up whenever he experiences the "falls" in life.  It's sometimes hard to comprehend, but his heavenly Father loves him with a love, infinitely more than I do (and I love him soooo much).  

Lord, thank You so much for being our Father, for loving us the way that You do, and for Your gracious willingness to lift us up when we experience the setbacks in life.  

"You pushed me violently, that I might fall, but the Lord helped me.  The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation."  - Psalm 118:13-14  

"He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap." – Psalm 113:7
 
Current Affairs, Leadership, Passages of the Bible

The Responsibility of Leaders

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Bible

This evening I continue the study of the book of Leviticus.  One of the truths that really hits home is the 4th chapter…the sin offering, and especially the fact that when those in "prominent positions" (High Priest, Leader) sinned, God saw it differently then He did the rest of the congregation.  As a matter of fact, when the High Priest sinned, there was a different offering (a young bull), and the blood was taken to a different place, into the Holy Place, sprinkled 7 times before the veil, and placed on the horns of the altar of incense (symbolic of restored prayer).  


I think we all as "leaders" need to take heed…to see how God sees sin, especially from those to whom He has given so much!  We have the honor and privilege of serving God.  We are leading His people…where are we leading them?  Billy Sunday said, "One reason sin flourishes is that it is treated like a cream puff instead of a rattlesnake."  I'm afraid we far too frequently see sin as trivial, rather than deadly.  Don't get me wrong…I am sooo grateful for the Lord Jesus who was my sin offering, but God help us to have a heart to hate sin, and to love our Savior!



Passages of the Bible

Boldness

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I saw this big rig on the road the other day and I was so blessed, I took a picture while I was driving! “Jesus Christ is Lord – not a swear word.” God help us to be bold with the Name above all names, the only Name that brings salvation, the Name to speak, to wear, to emulate, to obey…the Lord Jesus Christ. “That I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.” (Ephesians 6:19)

Days to be Bold

Marriage, News, Passages of the Bible

Marriage and Family – What a Visual!

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Hurricanehome
 

When I saw this photo and read this article I immediately thought of Jesus words in Matthew 7:24-27.  Jesus essentially said that unless we build-to-last, by obeying His Word…than one day that Hurricane will hit…and our home (family) will fall.  Here’s the modern day illustration as written in an AOL news story. 

How Did Lone Home Survive Ike? (September 18, 2008)   When Hurricane Ike crashed ashore in Texas with 110 mph winds, it left almost nothing behind in the small, coastal town of Gilchrist.  Aerial photographs taken after the storm revealed that the neighborhood that stretched for miles along the narrow peninsula had been swept away with just one exception: a single home left standing, seemingly untouched.  Some viewers of surreal photographs showing the yellow house that remained amid the wasteland argued that it may be fake. In a debate on iReport.com, a woman named Judy Hudspeth jumped in with a stunning statement: “This is my sister’s house. It is real,” she wrote. Hudspeth uploaded a photo of the home taken in May that silenced the skeptics. She explained that her sister and her sister’s husband, Pam and Warren Adams, rebuilt the home in 2006 after it had been destroyed by Hurricane Rita in 2005. Hudspeth said they hired a contractor to build a structure that could withstand a Category 5 hurricane and watched over the process to assure it was done right.

Hats off to a wise family who took the time, invested wisely and ensured that their home was built to survive a Hurricane.  God help us to do the same Spiritually.  Jesus put it this way, “Whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and winds blew and beat on that house; and it did-not-fall, for it was founded on the rock.”  – Matthew 7:24-25

It’s too bad that such “homes” are rare.

“Lord, I pray for my own home, for Shelly, Ariel, Aaron and Me.  Lord, help us to be doers of Your Word and not hearers only.  Lord, I pray especially for me…the responsible leader in this home.  Please grant me grace, fear and wisdom to invest the time, to pay the price, to do everything I can, to ensure that all that takes place in this home honors You.  Lord Jesus, I pray that when the hurricane hits (and I know this is inevitable), that our home, Your home, would stand…I ask this in Your name.  Amen.”