Jehu Hernandez

I've been jogging for many years, now. I do most of my jogging in the summer and into the fall. Since I don't jog year round, I have to start from scratch every summer in terms of getting into shape. These past couple of years, it's taken longer than usual to get in shape. This summer, especially, it's been slow going. So I decided to change my routine. I"ve started using a training schedule that is very different from the one I've used in the past. Boy, it's really made a difference as far as infusing new energy and accelerating my conditioning. Sometimes, you just have to change the routine. I've had this happen before in the area of spiritual disciplines. There have been times that I've gotten into a rut with my quiet time. I've learned to change my routine every once in a while. Maybe it means having my quiet time at night instead of the morning. It could be that I change the room where I have my quiet time. Other times, I've changed to ...

I recently loaded the NIV audio Bible onto my ipod, so I've been listening to the Bible as I drive to work. It's interesting how listening to the Bible being read gives me a different perspective than reading it. I've noticed some things in Paul's epistles that I haven't pick up on when I've read them. That doesn't mean I'll stop reading the Bible and only listen to it. Bible-reading is still the primary way that God speaks to me, but listening to the Bible instead of listening to the radio has been a much better way for me to start my day.

I am currently reading a book by Charles Crabtree titled Transformational Discipleship . I'm only two chapters into the book, but it has already given me plenty to think about. Here are a some quotes: The church can be deceived into thinking that because they have converted someone to their fundamental truths, that person is born again. In the same way that Nicodemus was considered a fine, moral man, many in the churches of America who believe they are Christian because of their bloodline or their works or their intellectual indoctrination would be shocked to hear Jesus say to them, "I tell you the truth [no question about it, no deception, no exceptions], no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (pp. 22-23) It seems incongruous to have to emphasize the need for and the process of being born of the Spirit, but observations and experience compel me not to take the issue of basic soteriology (the theology of salvation) for granted. The facts are glarin...

It's the weekend! I love weekends! I know--most of you are thinking, "So does everyone else in this world". True. I love weekends for the same reason everyone else does. It's a chance to recover from the work week and spend time resting and catching up on other projects. But the main reason I love weekends is because I love to go to church on Sundays. I look forward to worshiping with my church family at Solid Rock Church and to having the opportunity to preach God's Word. Sundays are physically hard on me. I'm always completely exhausted after our evening service. But there is nothing I'd rather do on Sundays than to worship God and minister his Word to others.