We are bombarded. If, like me, you have embraced facebook and forums, can’t turn off your mobile, and check your emails constantly then you are bombarded too.
I think the greatest invention of my lifetime is the Walkman. This is because it ultimately gave birth to the iPod, which in turn led to an explosion of wonderful, wonderful podcasts. There is a fantastic banquet of epic proportions laid out for internet savvy Christian who has access to iTunes (other podcast systems are available…).
And I can’t get enough! Thank you Father for your provision!
Not an Original Idea in Sight
When I teach I often joke, saying that I have yet to have an original thought. I find that when I teach, its usually a smorgasbord of all the other teaching that I have been bombarded with other the last months. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing! However, wouldn’t it be great to have something really original to say? To be frank, I have had some original ideas,but just to give credit where its due here’s my list of sources – well, some of them – you’ll find their influences through out my teaching!
- Derek Prince
- Creflo Dollar
- Chris Vallouton
- Dallas Willard
- Leslsy Malpas
- CS Lewis
- Crispin Fletcher-Louis
- Helen Eldon
- NT Wright
- Bob Craine
- lots more..
All that’s good of course – you listen, you filter, you assimilate you pray over. But I crave the original.
The original in your hands…
I am convinced that God has much to say. There is an inexhaustible supply of fresh insight for us, waiting. Derek Prince said something along the lines, respectfully, that the bible is “Nothing more than black marks on white paper” if the Holy Spirit doesn’t make it alive. You can read it, and its interesting, maybe even beneficial, but you need the Holy Spirit to bring the words to life.
The words in the bible have to be applied to our situations. If they aren’t, it can do your head in. When the Holy Spirit of God breathes on a passage, often just a line or two, and applies them directly into our lives it is life and health and food and drink. Now there’s my original thought.
To my experience the original most often comes when I draw away. Get quite. Just me, and my bible (and sometimes coffee…).
Maybe, its easier to download a new Chris Voluton, read a theological tome, ask the wife, than it is to draw away, still your mind, and listen to God. He’ll bless in what you listen too, if you apply it (remember that Wise man building his house upon the rock). But when you get away on your own, turn off the teachers, and focus on loving logo – the unobtainable original becomes possible!
Well, there’s my original thought.,