December 22, 2008
Assignment for our last session
The assignment for our last session on Dec. 28 is finish the book. In other words, read through chapter 10 and finish lesson 10.
December 8, 2008
December 1, 2008
Assignment for Dec. 7
The assignment for our next class on Dec. 7 is to read pages 155 to 171 in Chapter 9 and finish through day three of Lesson 9.
November 18, 2008
Assignment for Nov. 23
This week's assignment is read as much of Chapter 8 as you can, and finish Day 1 through 3 of Lesson 8.
November 3, 2008
October 29, 2008
Assignment for Nov. 2
Sorry for the delay in this folks! During your review of chapters 4 thru 6, please take some time to ponder the questions below, and bring your answers to class with you on Sunday.
Assignment for Nov. 2
Chapter 4 - Magnifying Christ Through Pain and Death
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 4, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Chapter 4 talks about paradoxes. On page 63 Piper writes that making much of Christ is both a consequence and a means of making much of him. On page 64 he says that if we know how to die well, we will know how to live well, and on page 65 he says being shamed for Christ brings honor to Christ. How can being shamed bring honor to Christ?
Question 3. In the light of this, do you agree that being shamed brings honor to Christ? Are you willing to be shamed for Christ, or have you been shamed for Christ?
Chapter 5 - Risk is Right
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 5, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Please look up and read Isaiah 41:23, 42:8-9, 44:6-8, 45:21, 46:8-11, 48:3 (we read these one day in class, but ran out of time to discuss them). My study Bible notes call these chapters, "the book of comfort," where God is describing the restoration of Israel after Babylonian rule. Piper mentions these passages on page 80, where he says there would be no risk without ignorance. In light of these verses, if God knows the outcome of our risky lives, does this change or influence your thoughts about risk? Can God take a risk? Write down some of your thoughts about this.
Question 3. On page 89 of the book, Piper writes: "Risk is right. And the reason is not because God promises success to all our ventures in his cause. There is no promise that every effort for the cause of God will succeed, at least not in the short run." Does this mean that God asks us to serve causes and missions that might end in failure?
Question 4. Write down an example of a person from the Bible who risked something for God and experienced failure.
Question 5. Is it possible to be "more than a conqueror" over failure?
Chapter 6 - The Goal of Life
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 6, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Piper writes on page 101 that the goal of forgiveness is "infinite joy in his fellowship." When you forgive others, or ask for forgiveness yourself, what are you hoping for as a result of forgiveness?
Question 3. Read "Making Others Glad In God is a Massive Thing" on page 104-105. What are the six components to gladness in God? Do you see yourself striving for gladness in God? Are (or were) these six components present in your life?
Assignment for Nov. 2
Chapter 4 - Magnifying Christ Through Pain and Death
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 4, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Chapter 4 talks about paradoxes. On page 63 Piper writes that making much of Christ is both a consequence and a means of making much of him. On page 64 he says that if we know how to die well, we will know how to live well, and on page 65 he says being shamed for Christ brings honor to Christ. How can being shamed bring honor to Christ?
Question 3. In the light of this, do you agree that being shamed brings honor to Christ? Are you willing to be shamed for Christ, or have you been shamed for Christ?
Chapter 5 - Risk is Right
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 5, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Please look up and read Isaiah 41:23, 42:8-9, 44:6-8, 45:21, 46:8-11, 48:3 (we read these one day in class, but ran out of time to discuss them). My study Bible notes call these chapters, "the book of comfort," where God is describing the restoration of Israel after Babylonian rule. Piper mentions these passages on page 80, where he says there would be no risk without ignorance. In light of these verses, if God knows the outcome of our risky lives, does this change or influence your thoughts about risk? Can God take a risk? Write down some of your thoughts about this.
Question 3. On page 89 of the book, Piper writes: "Risk is right. And the reason is not because God promises success to all our ventures in his cause. There is no promise that every effort for the cause of God will succeed, at least not in the short run." Does this mean that God asks us to serve causes and missions that might end in failure?
Question 4. Write down an example of a person from the Bible who risked something for God and experienced failure.
Question 5. Is it possible to be "more than a conqueror" over failure?
Chapter 6 - The Goal of Life
Question 1. In your own words, describe what the main point is of Chapter 6, and cite two examples in the text that provide support for your description.
Question 2. Piper writes on page 101 that the goal of forgiveness is "infinite joy in his fellowship." When you forgive others, or ask for forgiveness yourself, what are you hoping for as a result of forgiveness?
Question 3. Read "Making Others Glad In God is a Massive Thing" on page 104-105. What are the six components to gladness in God? Do you see yourself striving for gladness in God? Are (or were) these six components present in your life?
October 27, 2008
Assignment for this week.
Another recap week is upon us, so take time this week to review Chapters 4-6, read the parts you might have missed or skimmed. I will post some questions tomorrow. Thanks for your patience!
October 23, 2008
DWYL Blog: Virtue Requires Courage and Risk
One of the staff members at Desiring God Ministries has written a blog post regarding some of the things we've been reading and talking about lately.
Click here to read the blog post.
Click here to read the blog post.
Scripture in Chapter 6
Scripture links from Chapter 6 are below. www.BibleGateway.com is our source.
Page 100 - Ephesians 4
Page 101 - Micah 6
Page 102 - Ephesians 2
Page 103 - Galatians 5, 1 Thess. 1, Romans 15, 2 Corinthians 1, 2, 4, 8; Philippians 1, John 15, 16
Page 104 - 2 Tim. 1, Romans 3, John 3, 1 Peter 1, 2 Tim. 2, Acts 3, Philippians 3, Romans 6, 8; Acts 20, Acts 3 again, Romans 8 again
Page 100 - Ephesians 4
Page 101 - Micah 6
Page 102 - Ephesians 2
Page 103 - Galatians 5, 1 Thess. 1, Romans 15, 2 Corinthians 1, 2, 4, 8; Philippians 1, John 15, 16
Page 104 - 2 Tim. 1, Romans 3, John 3, 1 Peter 1, 2 Tim. 2, Acts 3, Philippians 3, Romans 6, 8; Acts 20, Acts 3 again, Romans 8 again
October 19, 2008
October 17, 2008
To live is Christ...even during risk and loss?
This week's chapter and last week's chapter really go hand-in-hand. Suffering (Chapter 4) and risk (Chapter 5) are universal experiences for human beings.
You might be familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, a psychological theory that attempts to describe human motivation and is often visually depicted as the pyramid below:
The basic premise (in my amateur understanding of it) is that for us to be at peak psychological health and reach our full potential our needs must be met on each level of the pyramid. Basic needs (the bottom level of the pyramid) must be met first before the more complex ("higher") needs can be met. When we have all our needs met we are at the top functional level. When our needs aren't met, the theory suggests that we will be incomplete.
I decided to put Christ in this pyramid. Where does he come in in regard to human needs?
Suffering assumes that a need in our lives isn't being met, and we experience physical and psychological consequences as a result.
Acknowledging that this is true, "To live is Christ" means Christ must exist as a need at every level of the pyramid. For our basic needs, Christ is there. For issues of safety and security, we depend on Christ. In regard to love, we consider Christ the source of love and tenderness. In terms of respect and self-esteem, our knowledge that we are heirs to God's kingdom should give us great purpose in life. In regard to morality, creativity, wisdom and intellect, we look to Christ and the Bible to supply those needs, and to be our ultimate authority in issues of wisdom and morality.
You might be familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, a psychological theory that attempts to describe human motivation and is often visually depicted as the pyramid below:
The basic premise (in my amateur understanding of it) is that for us to be at peak psychological health and reach our full potential our needs must be met on each level of the pyramid. Basic needs (the bottom level of the pyramid) must be met first before the more complex ("higher") needs can be met. When we have all our needs met we are at the top functional level. When our needs aren't met, the theory suggests that we will be incomplete.
I decided to put Christ in this pyramid. Where does he come in in regard to human needs?
Suffering assumes that a need in our lives isn't being met, and we experience physical and psychological consequences as a result.
Acknowledging that this is true, "To live is Christ" means Christ must exist as a need at every level of the pyramid. For our basic needs, Christ is there. For issues of safety and security, we depend on Christ. In regard to love, we consider Christ the source of love and tenderness. In terms of respect and self-esteem, our knowledge that we are heirs to God's kingdom should give us great purpose in life. In regard to morality, creativity, wisdom and intellect, we look to Christ and the Bible to supply those needs, and to be our ultimate authority in issues of wisdom and morality.
October 15, 2008
Scripture in Chapter 5
Lots of scripture referenced in Chapter 5. They are below so you can read passages in context, thanks to www.Biblegateway.com.
Page 80 - Isaiah 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 48, James 4
Page 81 - 2 Samuel 10
Page 83 - Esther 4, Daniel 3
Page 84 - Acts 21
Page 85 - 2 Corinthians 11, Acts 20
Page 86 - Acts 14, 1 Thessalonians 3, John 15
Page 87 - 1 Peter 4
Page 88 - Numbers 13, 14
Page 89 - Matthew 11
Page 91 - 1 Peter 4 (again), Romans 8
Page 92 - Psalm 44, Acts 14 (again)
Page 93 - 2 Corinthians 6, Matthew 5, 2 Corinthians 11, Acts 12, Matthew 6, Hebrews 11
Page 94 - Luke 21, Romans 8 (again), 1 Corinthians 10
Page 95 - Philippians 4, Hebrews 13, Romans 8 (again)
Page 96 - Romans 8 (again)
Page 97 - 2 Corinthians 4
Page 80 - Isaiah 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 48, James 4
Page 81 - 2 Samuel 10
Page 83 - Esther 4, Daniel 3
Page 84 - Acts 21
Page 85 - 2 Corinthians 11, Acts 20
Page 86 - Acts 14, 1 Thessalonians 3, John 15
Page 87 - 1 Peter 4
Page 88 - Numbers 13, 14
Page 89 - Matthew 11
Page 91 - 1 Peter 4 (again), Romans 8
Page 92 - Psalm 44, Acts 14 (again)
Page 93 - 2 Corinthians 6, Matthew 5, 2 Corinthians 11, Acts 12, Matthew 6, Hebrews 11
Page 94 - Luke 21, Romans 8 (again), 1 Corinthians 10
Page 95 - Philippians 4, Hebrews 13, Romans 8 (again)
Page 96 - Romans 8 (again)
Page 97 - 2 Corinthians 4
October 14, 2008
What can I expect from Chapter 5?
Chapter 5's title is "Risk is right--better to lose your life than to waste it"
In this chapter Piper asks us some challenging questions:
- Will a wise and loving person ever take a risk?
- Is it wise to expose yourself to loss?
- Is it loving to endanger others?
Is risk right? Come to class on Sunday armed with support for your answer.
Assignment for Oct. 12-18
The assignment for this week is Chapter 5 in the book and Lesson 6 in the study guide.
October 8, 2008
Scripture in Chapter 4
Scripture (NIV) links in Chapter 4 and Lesson 5 are below, from www.Biblegateway.com.
Page 61 - Mark 8, Matthew 10
Page 62 - Luke 14
Page 63 - 2 Corinthians 6, 1 Corinthians 2, Galatians 6
Page 64 - Philippians 1
Page 65 - Philippians 3
Page 66 - Philippians 1 (again)
Page 67 - John 21, Philippians 1 (again)
Page 68 - Philippians 1 (again)
Page 69 - Matthew 10, Philippians 1 (again)
Page 71 - 1 Corinthians 15, Luke 9, Philippians 3
Page 72 - 1 Timothy 4, Psalm 50, 1 Timothy 6
Page 73 - 2 Corinthians 1, 2 Corinthians 4
Page 61 - Mark 8, Matthew 10
Page 62 - Luke 14
Page 63 - 2 Corinthians 6, 1 Corinthians 2, Galatians 6
Page 64 - Philippians 1
Page 65 - Philippians 3
Page 66 - Philippians 1 (again)
Page 67 - John 21, Philippians 1 (again)
Page 68 - Philippians 1 (again)
Page 69 - Matthew 10, Philippians 1 (again)
Page 71 - 1 Corinthians 15, Luke 9, Philippians 3
Page 72 - 1 Timothy 4, Psalm 50, 1 Timothy 6
Page 73 - 2 Corinthians 1, 2 Corinthians 4
September 29, 2008
Assignment due on Oct. 5
This is recap week. Please go through the first three chapters of the book and catch up on any sections you may have missed or just skimmed, or review the parts that meant something meaningful to you.
Please answer the following questions before the next class on Oct. 5.
Assignment for Oct. 5
How does Piper say to avoid a wasted life in Chapter 1? (Cite the page where you find your answer.)
Pick one of the scripture passages cited in Chapter 1. What do you learn about God’s glory from this passage? What do you learn about magnifying God from this passage?
From Chapter 1 and from Scripture, did this material open anything new to you, a new concept or insight you haven’t thought of before?
Without focusing on the “doing” (I can serve more hours in the nursery, I can witness more to my co-workers, etc.), what principle from Chapter 1 could you apply to your life immediately?
Chapter 2
How does Piper say to avoid a wasted life in Chapter 2? (Cite the page where you find your answer.)
Pick one of the scripture passages cited in Chapter 2. What do you learn about God’s glory from this passage? What do you learn about magnifying God from this passage?
From Chapter 2 and from Scripture, did this material open anything new to you, a new concept or insight you haven’t thought of before?
Without focusing on the “doing” (I can serve more hours in the nursery, I can witness more to my co-workers, etc.), what principle from Chapter 2 could you apply to your life immediately?
Chapter 3
How does Piper say to avoid a wasted life in Chapter 3? (Cite the page where you find your answer.)
Pick one of the scripture passages cited in Chapter 3. What do you learn about God’s glory from this passage? What do you learn about magnifying God from this passage?
From Chapter 3 and from Scripture, did this material open anything new to you, a new concept or insight you haven’t thought of before?
Without focusing on the “doing” (I can serve more hours in the nursery, I can witness more to my co-workers, etc.), what principle from Chapter 3 could you apply to your life immediately?
September 26, 2008
Video - It's What You Love That Matters
Here's another video message from John Piper that sheds some light on our reading for the week.
September 24, 2008
What can I expect from Chapter 3?
Here's some tidbits from chapter three to encourage you to read up.
1) "Can sex and cars and work and war and changing diapers and doing taxes really have a God-exalting, soul-satisfying unity?" (Page 43)
2) "Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: 'Look, Lord. See my shells.' That is a tragedy." (Page 46)
3) "Boast only in the electric chair. Only exult in the gas chamber." (Page 50)
4) "When our hearts run back up along the beam of blessing to the source in the blazing glory of the cross, then the worldliness of the blessing is dead, and Christ crucified is everything." (Page 59)
1) "Can sex and cars and work and war and changing diapers and doing taxes really have a God-exalting, soul-satisfying unity?" (Page 43)
2) "Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: 'Look, Lord. See my shells.' That is a tragedy." (Page 46)
3) "Boast only in the electric chair. Only exult in the gas chamber." (Page 50)4) "When our hearts run back up along the beam of blessing to the source in the blazing glory of the cross, then the worldliness of the blessing is dead, and Christ crucified is everything." (Page 59)
September 23, 2008
Prayer Request
Tomorrow is national See You At the Pole Day. Young people across the nation gathering at the flagpoles of their schools to pray and to make a public witness for their faith.
As part of magnifying God this week, please pray for these young people as do this courageous act in front of their peers and school administrators tomorrow morning.
September 22, 2008
Scripture in Chapter 3
Scripture (NIV) links in Chapter 3 and Lesson 4 are below, thanks to www.Biblegateway.com again.
Chapter 3
Page 43 - Isaiah 43, Psalm 90, Matthew 22, Revelation 3,
Page 44 - 1 Corinthians 2
Page 45 - Mark 8
Page 47 - Isaiah 26
Page 48 - Acts 20, Philippians 3
Page 49 - Galatians 6
Page 50 - Romans 5, 2 Corinthians 12, 1 Thessalonians 2
Page 52 - Job 1, Romans 2, Romans 3
Page 54 - Galatians 6 (again)
Page 55 - Galatians 6, Galatians 2, Romans 6
Page 56 - Galatians 2 (again), Galatians 6 (again)
Page 57 - 1 John 2, 1 Timothy 4
Lesson 4
Page 38 - 1 Corinthians 2
Page 40 - Philippians 3, Galatians 6
Page 41 - Romans 5, 2 Corinthians 12, 1 Thessalonians 2, Galatians 6 (again)
Page 42 - Galatians 6 (again)
Page 43 - Galatians 2
Page 44 - Philippians 3, Romans 3
Page 45 - 1 Corinthians 1
Page 46 - Luke 14, Mark 8, John 12
Page 47 - Galatians 3, 1 Peter 3, Colossians 2, 2 Corinthians 5, Galatians 1, Revelation 5
Page 48 - Romans 5 (again)
Chapter 3
Page 43 - Isaiah 43, Psalm 90, Matthew 22, Revelation 3,
Page 44 - 1 Corinthians 2
Page 45 - Mark 8
Page 47 - Isaiah 26
Page 48 - Acts 20, Philippians 3
Page 49 - Galatians 6
Page 50 - Romans 5, 2 Corinthians 12, 1 Thessalonians 2
Page 52 - Job 1, Romans 2, Romans 3
Page 54 - Galatians 6 (again)
Page 55 - Galatians 6, Galatians 2, Romans 6
Page 56 - Galatians 2 (again), Galatians 6 (again)
Page 57 - 1 John 2, 1 Timothy 4
Lesson 4
Page 38 - 1 Corinthians 2
Page 40 - Philippians 3, Galatians 6
Page 41 - Romans 5, 2 Corinthians 12, 1 Thessalonians 2, Galatians 6 (again)
Page 42 - Galatians 6 (again)
Page 43 - Galatians 2
Page 44 - Philippians 3, Romans 3
Page 45 - 1 Corinthians 1
Page 46 - Luke 14, Mark 8, John 12
Page 47 - Galatians 3, 1 Peter 3, Colossians 2, 2 Corinthians 5, Galatians 1, Revelation 5
Page 48 - Romans 5 (again)
Extra Assignment this week
In the spirit of chapter 2 and Jonathan Edward's resolutions, we've all been assigned to magnify God every day this week in the way that Piper describes, the "Telescope" way. What does that mean?
I'm starting off the week with a prayer asking God to give me a mindset that will glorify him in even the mundane things that I have to do at work and at home, because Mondays seem to be the most mundane days of the week.
Please come with your personal examples next Sunday!
I'm starting off the week with a prayer asking God to give me a mindset that will glorify him in even the mundane things that I have to do at work and at home, because Mondays seem to be the most mundane days of the week.
Please come with your personal examples next Sunday!
Assignment for Sept. 21-27
The assignment for the week of Sept. 21 is to read chapter 3 in Don't Waste Your life and complete lesson 4 in the study guide.
Recap of September 21 Class
Chapter Two/Lesson Three encouraged some lively discussion yesterday in class and I thought a recap of what we talked about would be useful to everyone (with a couple of extra thoughts from me). We all agreed that this was a challenging chapter.
The Pursuit of Happiness
This chapter specifically focused on the concept of happiness and the glory of God. What is happiness? All men and women seek after it. As Christians, we sometimes think that searching after personal happiness is selfish, or self-centered. Piper gives us the example of Jonathan Edwards, the 18th century American preacher who in his twenties wrote down some resolutions for his life, one of those being "to obtain for myself as much happiness...as I possibly can." (Page 29) Edwards was a committed man of God, and yet he saw the pursuit of happiness as a main focus of his life. Are those contradictory? What does this mean to us?
What does Scripture say?
Piper directs us to Scripture to find the answer about the pursuit of happiness. Again he reiterates that reading of scripture requires an objective perspective. We need to study scripture to determine what the Bible author was trying to tell the people he was writing to (scholars call this exegesis) and then find the meaning for us today (what scholars call hermeneutics). (Study guide: Question 13) If we turn to scripture we find that God is knowable through the life, ministry and death of Jesus Christ, and how important it is to use Christ's name when we speak of God.
Both Edwards and Piper come to the conclusion from scripture that God made the universe and all of its beauty for his own glory. Men and women find and enjoy amazing beauty in creation, such as the massive size of the Grand Canyon or the majesty of a mountain range like the Alps. No one visits these natural wonders and spends the entire time looking in a mirror. They spend the time marveling at the natural beauty and finding pleasure in it. God has created the beauty of the natural world for his glory. We find happiness in that natural beauty. You can almost write it out as a mathematical equation:
God + his creation = His Glory
God + his creation = Our happiness
God's Glory = Our happiness
We also discussed the painting gallery example on page 37 as describing this concept very well.
How do we define love?
The final element in this chapter is an explanation of God's love. How does the world define love? How does the Bible define love? The Bible defines it this way: love is doing what is best for someone. All the parents in the room knew this definition of love very well. To love God is to magnify him. But why does an all-powerful God need to be glorified? Isn't that egocentric? (Study guide: Question 7)
It would be egocentric for anyone but God to be loved in this way, especially considering the Biblical definition of love. Loving God and glorifying him is doing what is best for us. For many of us agreed with Piper's example on page 37: "No child complains 'I am being used' when his father delights to make the child happy with his own presence."
Whew! Thanks for reading and see you next Sunday, or sooner!
Susan
The Pursuit of Happiness
This chapter specifically focused on the concept of happiness and the glory of God. What is happiness? All men and women seek after it. As Christians, we sometimes think that searching after personal happiness is selfish, or self-centered. Piper gives us the example of Jonathan Edwards, the 18th century American preacher who in his twenties wrote down some resolutions for his life, one of those being "to obtain for myself as much happiness...as I possibly can." (Page 29) Edwards was a committed man of God, and yet he saw the pursuit of happiness as a main focus of his life. Are those contradictory? What does this mean to us?
What does Scripture say?
Piper directs us to Scripture to find the answer about the pursuit of happiness. Again he reiterates that reading of scripture requires an objective perspective. We need to study scripture to determine what the Bible author was trying to tell the people he was writing to (scholars call this exegesis) and then find the meaning for us today (what scholars call hermeneutics). (Study guide: Question 13) If we turn to scripture we find that God is knowable through the life, ministry and death of Jesus Christ, and how important it is to use Christ's name when we speak of God.
Both Edwards and Piper come to the conclusion from scripture that God made the universe and all of its beauty for his own glory. Men and women find and enjoy amazing beauty in creation, such as the massive size of the Grand Canyon or the majesty of a mountain range like the Alps. No one visits these natural wonders and spends the entire time looking in a mirror. They spend the time marveling at the natural beauty and finding pleasure in it. God has created the beauty of the natural world for his glory. We find happiness in that natural beauty. You can almost write it out as a mathematical equation:
God + his creation = His Glory
God + his creation = Our happiness
God's Glory = Our happiness
We also discussed the painting gallery example on page 37 as describing this concept very well.
How do we define love?
The final element in this chapter is an explanation of God's love. How does the world define love? How does the Bible define love? The Bible defines it this way: love is doing what is best for someone. All the parents in the room knew this definition of love very well. To love God is to magnify him. But why does an all-powerful God need to be glorified? Isn't that egocentric? (Study guide: Question 7)
It would be egocentric for anyone but God to be loved in this way, especially considering the Biblical definition of love. Loving God and glorifying him is doing what is best for us. For many of us agreed with Piper's example on page 37: "No child complains 'I am being used' when his father delights to make the child happy with his own presence."
Whew! Thanks for reading and see you next Sunday, or sooner!
Susan
September 17, 2008
Scripture in Chapter 2
There's a lot of scripture referenced in Chapter 2. I like to go back and read in context the verses Piper cites. If you do as well, the links below will help. They link to each bible chapter (NIV) thanks to www.Biblegateway.com.
(P.S. I'm not sure if these links will appear in the email version. You might have to visit the blog for them to work.)
Page 23 - 2 Timothy 2
Page 27 - Isaiah 1
Page 30 - Matthew 5,1 John 3
Page 32 - Isaiah 43, 1 Corinthians 10, Acts 17
Page 34 - Psalm 19
Page 35 - Matthew 5 (again), 1 Corinthians 13, John 3, John 17
Page 36 - 1 Peter 3, Psalm 16
Page 38 - Philippians 2, Colossians 2, Colossians 1
Page 39 - John 17 (again), Luke 10, John 5, John 8, John 14, 1 John 2, 2 John 9
Page 40 - Colossians 1 (again), 2 Corinthians 4, 1 Corinthians 1
(P.S. I'm not sure if these links will appear in the email version. You might have to visit the blog for them to work.)
Page 23 - 2 Timothy 2
Page 27 - Isaiah 1
Page 30 - Matthew 5,1 John 3
Page 32 - Isaiah 43, 1 Corinthians 10, Acts 17
Page 34 - Psalm 19
Page 35 - Matthew 5 (again), 1 Corinthians 13, John 3, John 17
Page 36 - 1 Peter 3, Psalm 16
Page 38 - Philippians 2, Colossians 2, Colossians 1
Page 39 - John 17 (again), Luke 10, John 5, John 8, John 14, 1 John 2, 2 John 9
Page 40 - Colossians 1 (again), 2 Corinthians 4, 1 Corinthians 1
Some Main Points in Chapter Two
If you haven't enjoyed reading all of Chapter Two yet, here are some ideas to get you reading and pondering:
-- I discover meaning, I don't create it.
-- The two distinct meanings of "magnify": microscope vs. telescope
-- No one goes to the Grand Canyon to admire how great they are
-- I discover meaning, I don't create it.
-- The two distinct meanings of "magnify": microscope vs. telescope
-- No one goes to the Grand Canyon to admire how great they are
Reminder: This Week's Assignment
Just a reminder of your assignment this week.
Read Chapter Two of the book, and finish Lesson Three in the study guide.
Read Chapter Two of the book, and finish Lesson Three in the study guide.
September 13, 2008
September 10, 2008
Optional Info: DWYL blog on Worthiness
Seth Godin isn't a name you might be familiar with, but he's popular in marketing circles. He wrote a book called "Purple Cow" a couple of years ago that marketing people are gaga over. I read his blog on a regular basis.
DWYL staff member Lukas Naugle wrote a DWYL blog post based on some thoughts written by Godin.Click here to read Godin's original article.
Godin says, "I take so much for granted. Perhaps you do as well. To be here, in this moment, with these resources. To have not just our health but the knowledge and the tools and the infrastructure. What a waste."
Godin sounds a bit like King Solomon here. "I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 1:13-15
Next, click here to read Naugle's post based on Godin's thoughts.
Consider Naugle's questions in this post and how they fit into the search for a life that isn't wasted.
DWYL staff member Lukas Naugle wrote a DWYL blog post based on some thoughts written by Godin.Click here to read Godin's original article.
Godin says, "I take so much for granted. Perhaps you do as well. To be here, in this moment, with these resources. To have not just our health but the knowledge and the tools and the infrastructure. What a waste."
Godin sounds a bit like King Solomon here. "I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 1:13-15
Next, click here to read Naugle's post based on Godin's thoughts.
Consider Naugle's questions in this post and how they fit into the search for a life that isn't wasted.
September 9, 2008
Changes
A visit to the blog site might be worth your while, just to explore.
I've changed the design to be a bit more user friendly, and I've added some links to online resources you might be interested in.
God bless your day.
I've changed the design to be a bit more user friendly, and I've added some links to online resources you might be interested in.
God bless your day.
The Beatles vs. Bob Dylan
In Chapter 1, Piper talks about the competing messages between two songs popular in the 1960s.
Here are the complete lyrics to the songs Piper mentioned in Chapter 1, if you are interested. In these two protest songs, Piper sees two competing worldviews, one touting subjectivity (truth is fluid and open to interpretation) and the other objectivity (truth is set, it exists independent of the individual).
What do you think of Piper's view on the messages behind these songs?
"Nowhere Man"
He's a real nowhere Man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.
Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere Man, please listen,
You don't know what you're missing,
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command.
He's as blind as he can be,
Just sees what he wants to see,
Nowhere Man can you see me at all?
Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere Man, don't worry,
Take your time, don't hurry,
Leave it all till somebody else
lend you a hand.
He's a real Nowhere Man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.
"Blowin' in the Wind"
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
Here are the complete lyrics to the songs Piper mentioned in Chapter 1, if you are interested. In these two protest songs, Piper sees two competing worldviews, one touting subjectivity (truth is fluid and open to interpretation) and the other objectivity (truth is set, it exists independent of the individual).
What do you think of Piper's view on the messages behind these songs?
"Nowhere Man"
He's a real nowhere Man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.
Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere Man, please listen,
You don't know what you're missing,
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command.
He's as blind as he can be,
Just sees what he wants to see,
Nowhere Man can you see me at all?
Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere Man, don't worry,
Take your time, don't hurry,
Leave it all till somebody else
lend you a hand.
He's a real Nowhere Man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.
"Blowin' in the Wind"
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
September 7, 2008
What can I expect from Chapter 1?
Some things you can expect from Chapter 1 in Don't Waste Your Life:
• The Great Fallacy of Postmodern Thought stems from this one phrase: "But what does it mean for me?"
• The Beatles vs. Bob Dylan
• What in the world is "quiddity"?
• The Great Fallacy of Postmodern Thought stems from this one phrase: "But what does it mean for me?"
• The Beatles vs. Bob Dylan
• What in the world is "quiddity"?
September 6, 2008
Class starts on Sept. 7
The Don't Waste Your Life Class at Riverview starts on Sept. 7. Looking forward to seeing you there!
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