tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816Sat, 04 Sep 2010 07:54:06 +0000Growing Through Obedience to God's Wordhttp://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/noreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)Blogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-8138843575875130790Sat, 04 Sep 2010 07:48:00 +00002010-09-04T00:54:06.363-07:00Bible VerseFrustrationThankfulnessEncouragement For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  - Matthew 7:14I know the gate is narrow, and way is hard, and that few will actually travel down the righteous path, but sometimes it sure feels like we’re alone in our walk.  The harder we strive toward living obedient lives, the more it seems we’ve become outcasts looked at with judgment and disdain http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/09/alone-with-god.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-4583760639268661388Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:23:00 +00002010-08-28T01:23:56.980-07:00Bible StudyVideo's I've heard the audio series, but the DVD series looks powerful too!  I think I may need to add it to my collection... http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/08/tale-of-two-sons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-8516991775690685085Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:33:00 +00002010-08-21T12:39:46.755-07:00Bible The meaning of Scripture is the Scripture. Too many people try to make the Bible say what they want it to say and pick and choose verses in order to try and build a case to support their agenda.  The problem is that if you don't have the meaning correct you aren't using God's Word. http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/08/scripture.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-7344414842837593913Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:51:00 +00002010-08-18T23:51:53.835-07:00LifeSelf EvaluationExtras This one isn't really a Discipline of Faith, but it does relate to discipline and I thought it would be a good one to add to the site.   I watched this video about a month ago and was pretty convicted.  It is a decent reality check.  I often pride myself on not falling for marketing schemes and strategies, but I’m as guilty of this as the next person.  Our kids are enticed by all the http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/08/consuming-kids.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-7764469623940924749Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:58:00 +00002010-07-31T23:53:30.974-07:00InspirationinterestingChurch Sometimes I'm almost convinced that God likes to mess with me.  Almost 2 weeks ago I got a new pair of dress shoes.  My wife had to convince me to get a pair while they were on sale so I just got a new pair of the same old worn down cracked ones I'd been wearing.  The next day I was excited to wear my nice new shoes to church.  That excitement faded when by the end of first service the shoes http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/07/new-shoes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-267078866024030728Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:49:00 +00002010-07-28T22:49:31.313-07:00Random When I first started working for the bank (back in my branch days) we had an old lady named Dixie who would come in EVERYDAY needing help balancing her checkbook.  She was the sweetest thing, but between her strong perfume and lack of checkbook understanding I found myself sometimes wishing for a way of escape when I'd see her coming. One day I got stuck helping Dixie and as I once again http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/07/dixies-lines.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-2214979336074343192Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:45:00 +00002010-07-31T16:08:56.632-07:00Songs   One of my favorite, if not my favorite all time Christian bands is Far From Home (FFH).  I enjoy much of their music, but it’s their lyrics that truly get me.  For some reason I just connect with some of their songs on another level.  They’re probably the only band that has ever brought me to tears on multiple occasions.  We even used one of their songs in our wedding ceremony.  I have a http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/07/far-from-home-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-3730165056685133357Mon, 26 Jul 2010 06:49:00 +00002010-07-31T16:13:08.320-07:00LifeReflection I missed church today.  Our little daughter has been running a fever the last couple of days and we didn't want to expose the other kids to her.   My wife teaches the 2 year old's during the second service and I wasn't running the media today so by default I was the one to stay home.  It was really weird missing church while being at home.  We do miss church from time to time, but usually when http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/07/missed-church.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-7343052133510118939Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:30:00 +00002010-06-04T05:30:03.404-07:00Hymns A church I once worked at had a little hanging board with a single hymnal page for A Mighty fortress lacquered to the board. The board was made to look rustic and the edges of the page were even burned to look old and valuable.  Since no one really claimed the little plaque I put it on the wall in my office.  When the time came to leave the church, the plaque came with me.  It still hangs on thehttp://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/06/1-mighty-fortress.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-5865076017312533071Thu, 03 Jun 2010 04:22:00 +00002010-06-02T21:24:22.228-07:00Hymns I have to give credit to my buddy Walter for introducing me to this one long before it became so popular.  Stuart Townend is a great modern Hymn writer and with In Christ Alone, I think he really nailed it.  It is such a beautiful hymn even in its musical simplicity, but it is the lyrics that really drive the song.  The hymn tells the Christian story so well.  Progressing from life’s first http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/06/2-in-christ-alone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-687666253568674204Mon, 24 May 2010 08:05:00 +00002010-06-02T21:24:45.497-07:00Hymns One of my favorite church memories involves this song.  I was worship leader at a previous church and early one Sunday morning while the worship team and I were practicing for the service, we began to plan I’ll Fly Away.  I should add that I do this song fast and very joyfully and upbeat.  Anyway, we started the song and in the back of the still mostly empty sanctuary was Bob.  Bob was one of http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/3-ill-fly-away.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-4509011468931530763Mon, 24 May 2010 08:04:00 +00002010-06-02T21:25:36.190-07:00Hymns I already warned you of my love for Easter songs, you had to know I would have more than one on the list.  So much wonderful celebration in one song…  What more can I say?  I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today;I know that He is living, Whatever men may say;I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,And just the time I need Him, He's always near.Chorus:He lives, He lives, http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/4-he-lives.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-769829607150766616Wed, 19 May 2010 12:32:00 +00002010-06-02T21:25:55.769-07:00Hymns I already posted on this song on DoF so I won’t add much, but I can’t not say at least something. This hymn is such a great example for me. I can only hope that (with the Holy Spirit’s help) I could keep my focus and faith on God during life's trials even half as well as Horatio.   When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/5-it-is-well-with-my-soul.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-1170748862844512383Tue, 18 May 2010 13:40:00 +00002010-06-02T21:27:11.452-07:00Hymns This one has only recently climbed into my top ten. The song is simple and even brief by hymn standards, but the picture of God seeking me out and rescuing me from despair touches me in a way that only my fellow redeemed can ever hope to understand.  Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,Tune my heart to sing Thy graceStreams of mercy, never ceasing,Call for songs of loudest praiseTeach me somehttp://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/6-come-thou-fount.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-6037812183862732618Tue, 11 May 2010 21:47:00 +00002010-05-11T14:47:00.383-07:00Hymns If you don’t already know I love the Easter season. In the past when I’ve lead worship at previous churches the congregation knew they’d be singing Easter songs year round. I’m eternally grateful for the work Christ did on the cross and I actually feel kind of bad that my beloved Old Rugged Cross only ended up as #7. 1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/7-old-rugged-cross.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-2500514439121690961Tue, 11 May 2010 07:37:00 +00002010-06-02T21:27:31.666-07:00Hymns I remember singing this song as a child in church and I always found the melody catchy and uplifting. I’m pretty sure my mom even had the lyrics posted on the front of the fridge for a long time, but I think it was after I moved out. Either way I would have still spent a fair amount of time at my parents fridge so maybe that has something to do with why I like the song so much. I heard an http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/8-victory-in-jesus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-5545510864909011953Mon, 10 May 2010 22:00:00 +00002010-06-02T21:27:55.679-07:00Hymns This Hymn has been one of my favorites for a long time, but it has become more treasured as of late. My young son learned the song in his Sunday school class a few months ago and he still sings it all the time. He sings it so often that his little sister now even sings it all the time, well, as best she can at least. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!  Early in the morning our song http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/9-holy-holy-holy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-8795061476347287025Mon, 10 May 2010 12:00:00 +00002010-06-02T21:28:31.885-07:00Hymns I tried to force a Christmas hymn into the top 10 but since I can’t justify calling Carol of the Bells a hymn, I regret to share that no Christmas hymns made the list, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear was there briefly, but when I remembered Blessed Assurance It dropped to #11. The church I went to as a boy had/has a big beautiful black grand piano. I can still hear Cindy, the pianist, banging http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/10-blessed-assurance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-8408350608985180709Fri, 07 May 2010 12:00:00 +00002010-05-07T05:00:03.927-07:00SongsInspiration I typically favor black letter edition Bibles, but I've always loved this song.  I still find the lyrics powerful and inspirational.   There is life in the red letters.  There is life in Jesus Christ!http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/red-letters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-8107564813536732831Wed, 05 May 2010 07:12:00 +00002010-05-05T00:22:17.669-07:00LifeSelf EvaluationChallenge Pastor John MacArthur is often criticized about being too theologically focused and not practical enough. One of my favorite sermons is from a series he taught called The Art of Self Discipline. In part one, he gives a great list of practical things that we can all do to help us become more disciplined in our lives. Below are my notes from his list. 1. Begin with Small things- Learn to http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/art-of-self-discipline.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-7420829633388324821Tue, 04 May 2010 12:00:00 +00002010-05-04T05:00:08.494-07:00Self Evaluation Often times I’m a list maker. I make lists for things I need to get done. Sadly I tend to feel like my lists tend to grow faster than I’m able to cross things off. Recently I was making myself a new list when I realized it was different than my usual “to do” lists. This time I found myself making a list of self disciplines. I won’t bore you with the mundane details of my shortcomings, but http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/disciplines-of-self.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-8712257043442200945Mon, 03 May 2010 08:02:00 +00002010-05-03T01:02:56.439-07:00SermonsJudging by the absence of comments on part 1, I'm assuming nobody has had time to listen yet.  I've been anxiously waiting for part 2 all week.  I still think I liked part 1 a little more, but we get a little more context and more complete picture of Hosea this week. In case anyone ends up interested, here is the conclusion of The Prophet Marries a Prostitute.  Part 2     http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/05/hosea-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-6363413834988564512Fri, 30 Apr 2010 07:59:00 +00002010-04-30T01:01:58.295-07:00Question ResponsesChurch In our Sunday school class last week we were asked the question,“Why do you go to church?” Before I share my top 5 answers (they may surprise you), I want to hear reasons from some of you. Tell me your top 3 reasons and then ask 3 people for 3 reasons they go to church. Oh, for extra credit ask 2 people who don’t attend church why they think people go to church. Recap - Please tell me:http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/04/why-do-you-go-to-church.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-5743068483633523723Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:01:00 +00002010-04-28T01:25:17.631-07:00ReflectionUpdates I heard this morning that there is now a fishing ban in place on Lake Kinneret. Before you think I’ve posted this article on the wrong blog, let me add that Lake Kinneret is better known to us as The Sea of Galilee. Earlier this year I was teaching out of the book of Mark. As I was studying Jesus’ Galilean ministry for the class, my geography curiosity got the best of me. I spent http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/04/lake-kinneret-fishing-ban.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2414534625109343816.post-4065864870435815268Wed, 28 Apr 2010 02:16:00 +00002010-04-28T01:22:36.509-07:00Extras As you can imagine, I'm fascinated by things like the prospect of finding Noah's ark. I remember seeing some sort of a (T.V.) special when I was young claiming the Ark had been found, but access was restricted behind locked borders. I've been hooked on the conspiracy theories ever since.  I've heard stories about the October 2008 visit (referenced in middle of the attached article), but I http://www.disciplinesoffaith.com/2010/04/is-it-really-ark-this-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tyler W)0