The theme of this developing sermon in my head seems to be “Loving The Trinity”.  Not loving the doctrine of the trinity—but loving our triune God.

The Church of Jesus Christ has loved the trinity for 2000 years.
The same Trinitarian doctrine is clearly confessed in the ancient creeds of the Christian church. In the Apostles’ Creed, for example, believers confess their faith in “God, the Father Almighty,” in “Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,” and in “the Holy Ghost.” Similarly, the Nicene Creed states, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth . . . and in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God . . . and in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified.”

–Michael LeFebvre & Phil Ryken, “Our Triune God”

You know I love all things British (cf Harry Potter, the word FORTNIGHT, Et al) and should not be surprised to learn that a Brit has (quietly) had a tremendous influence on me and on Christ Community. John Stott was a wonderful person and Christian who went to be with Christ last summer.

This Sunday we will look together into the Scripture’s teaching on “Our Triune God”. Consider praying Stott’s morning prayer in preparation for Sunday.

Good morning heavenly Father,
good morning Lord Jesus,
good morning Holy Spirit.

Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God,
have mercy upon me. Amen.

– John Stott, quoted in Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott

Every time (everytime?)

Whenever I go to an event like the one were having Saturday at Payne’s Prairie–2 things happen.

One, I get to have a conversation with a church friend that lasts more than the 3 minutes that Sunday morning usually allows.  Great memories of chatting with S. Addcox at Egg Hunt last year.

Two, I meet someone that I didn’t already know.  I met Ben & Elisabeth Griffin at a Saturday event.  Then I enjoyed several years of watching them grow in Christ before they moved to NM last year.

So, come on out! 11-2, Saturday.  Details are here.

Several people have asked for the text of the reflection I read yesterday from Phil Ryken. Phil Ryken is the former senior pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia and is currently the president of Wheaton College. Interestingly enough, he was a classmate and friend of Gainesville’s own Ron Kuykendall of St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

Enjoy at this link

Our eternal God.  From everlasting to everlasting—and often overlooked.  And not just by the masses, but by me.  This story reminded me that we’re called to live beyond the business.  To sit, to dwell, to ponder.  Enjoy, I think.

In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.

About 4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At 6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At 10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent – without exception – forced their children to move on quickly.

At 45 minutes:

The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After 1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

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