Personal; Theology Archives

Personal; Theology

Talbot Davis February 29, 2012 at 6:00 am 1

. . . you let people know about it.

James-Michael Smith, who served as our Discipleship Pastor from 2004-2009 and remains a vital part of the church, has just published a monograph called Cleansed And Abiding.

It's a fresh look at an old subject by a young theologian.

You see, James-Michael writes about holiness., that long-forgotten yet most urgent cornerstone of Methodist thinking and living.

His take on holiness is neither legalistic nor libertine; instead, James-Michael makes holy living both accessible and spirit-breathed.

Sort of like a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

Cleansed And Abiding is available in that new-fangled e-book format, and you can order it here:

http://www.amazon.com/Cleansed-Abiding-Christian-Perfection-ebook/dp/B007CC2UKM/ref=zg_bsnr_12449_65

Personal; Theology

A Hard One

Talbot Davis July 9, 2009 at 6:00 am 2

There's one more verse on my list.

One I don't live out very well.

Jesus says this in Mark 10:43: For the greatest among you is servant of all.

Wow.

I think of greatness in terms of tennis victories, church accomplishments, professional accolades, and kids who make me proud.

Jesus thinks of it in terms of washing feet, serving dinner, and hauling garbage.

For those times and ways I fall short, I sure am glad we have a lot of "great" people at Good Shepherd.

What verse do you love . . . but have a hard time following?

Personal; Theology

And Another One

Talbot Davis July 8, 2009 at 6:00 am 3

Another favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart &

lean not on your own understanding.

Think of him in all your ways,

and he will make your paths straight.

These are the first verses of Scripture that I ever memorized. I did so at the recommendation of my sister.

And they stuck.

I don't always live them out, I often trust myself and my wits more than the living God, but the fact remains that I can't escape the impact of these sacred words.

I remember heading up the Union County March For Jesus in 1995. The event was my idea, I had pulled together pastors and volunteers and trucks and sound systems and marchers . . . and on the day of the march I was beyond nervous.

But Proverbs 3:5-6 saved me. It was my mantra that day.

And the march was a great success. With no hitches and no preacher fights!

So these days, when the problems seem impossible to solve and the future appears hopeless to navigate, I return to those words that remind who is in charge and who is worth of my thoughts.

What verses help you in times of uncertainty?

Personal; Theology

Favorite Verse

Talbot Davis July 7, 2009 at 6:00 am 5

I already know what verse will be on my gravemarker. Or urn, depending on how all that goes.

It's Philippians 1:21: Christ in me is to live, to die is to gain.

I first heard it in a song, as a relatively new Christian attending a campus fellowship group at my college. This was the early 80s and by modern standards the song might be a bit wimpy, but back then it was "contemporary."

But the words were, and are, timeless.

One verses summarizes the entirety of the Christian experience: life, genuine & adventuresome life, is found through relationship with Christ.

And then dying is even better than that. It's life after life in Christ's presence.

So that's my favorite verse of them all. It's how I want to be remembered.

What's your favorite verse and what does it say about your legacy?

Personal; Theology

Questions That Shake Your Faith

Talbot Davis April 21, 2009 at 10:15 am 2

I have to admit that there are some days when I find my faith shaken to the core.

Questions keep building and building. Questions without any easy answers.

Questions like:

Why does God allow mental illness?
What redemptive purpose can you ever find in a suicide?
Why is there so much jealousy among pastors?
Why is there so much sexual dysfunction among church people and church leaders?
Why are the deepest hurts that Christians experience . . . at the hands of other Christians? (Knowing full well I've been on both sides of that one.)
Why are there birth defects?

The list could go on. I suppose I'm asking them because later this week I'll lead a memorial service for twin boys who were born 17 weeks premature and did not make it.

I've been in a season of spiritual and professional blessing. Great excitement and appreciate for what God is doing in me and in this church.

Yet the questions remain.

You probably have some as well. So keep asking. It's a lot better than pretending they don't exist.

Personal; Theology

Talbot Davis

The Heart of the Matter

Subscribe

Latest Posts

Past Posts