So, this past Sunday we had a “My Dad is Stronger than Your Dad” discussion of sorts where we compared God’s Power to our own power. There wasn’t much time to really cover the vastness of God’s power, but there’s one area I REALLY wanted to mention but we didn’t have time. So, I’d like to take a moment here to cover it. I want to explain the extreme Mental Power that God has. We may at times get to thinking that we are very intelligent because we have discovered and explained so much through science and philosophy. But God has us immensely beat when it comes to Mental Power.
Job 37:16 says that God is the one “who is perfect in knowledge” and I John 3:20 goes so far to say that God “knows everything”. To fully see the Seriously Ridiculousness of this lets unpack this statement that “God Knows Everything”. A good definition to describe God’s mental power is: God fully knows himself and all things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act. So what does that fully entail?
To say that God knows all things actual means that He knows all things that exist and all things that happen. He knows the past, He knows the future, and He knows every single detail of all our lives and all the lives of those dead and not yet born.
He also knows all things possible. If God fully knows Himself, he knows everything he is able to do, which includes all things that are possible. God has made an incredibly complex and varied universe. But there are thousands upon thousands of other variations or kinds of things that God could have created but did not. God’s infinite knowledge includes detailed knowledge of what each of those possible creations would have been like and what would have happened in each of them!
Our definition of God’s metal power also speaks of God knowing everything in one “simple act”. This means that God is always fully aware of everything. If He should wish to tell us the number of grains of sand on the seashore, he would have to count them all quickly like some kind of giant computer, nor would he have to call the number to mind because it was something He had not thought about for a long time. Rather, he knows all things at once. All of these facts and possibilities and details and other things He knows are always fully present in His consciousness. He does not have to reason or ponder carefully before He answers, because He knows all from beginning to end, and he never learns and never forgets anything.
I could go on, but I think you’re probably beginning to get the picture. God’s Mental Power is Seriously Ridiculous.
In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Ridiculous - Amazing Feats of Power
Here's some Seriously Ridiculous feats of power caught on video for your amusement and amazement.
Ridiculous Power of Water:
Ridiculous Power of Bombs:
Ridiculous Power of Wind:
Ridiculous Power of Water:
Ridiculous Power of Bombs:
Ridiculous Power of Wind:
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Serious - Scriptures on the Wisdom of God
This Sunday I made the statement that the best way to begin to express the wisdom of God is to first get acquainted with God, then begin to study the wisdom found in His Word. Here's a few scriptures to get you started.
Romans 16:27 "To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."
Job 12:13 "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his."
Psalm 104:24 "How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures."
Romans 11:33 "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!"
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."
James 3:17 "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
Psalm 111:10 " The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise."
Proverbs 2:6 " For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
Proverbs 4:6 " Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you."
Provers 16:16 " How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!"
Ecclesiastes 7:11 "Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun."
James 3:13 "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."
More Later,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO
Romans 16:27 "To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."
Job 12:13 "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his."
Psalm 104:24 "How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures."
Romans 11:33 "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!"
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."
James 3:17 "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
Psalm 111:10 " The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise."
Proverbs 2:6 " For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
Proverbs 4:6 " Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you."
Provers 16:16 " How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!"
Ecclesiastes 7:11 "Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun."
James 3:13 "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."
More Later,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO
Ridiculous/Serious - Words of Wisdom
Sometimes little kids just get it. Here's some words of wisdom from a 3 year old named Dylan.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Serious - Book Recommendations
Here's a list of a few really good books for further study. I read each of these and they are all quite excellent.
Crazy Love by Francis Chan - This book is a great book about the crazy love of God and how we can be changed by it and begin to emulate it in our own lives. It's a great short read. Currently our whole staff team is about to read this one together. I'm looking forward to reading it again!
Knowing God by J.I. Packer - Packer is really great theologian that has a way of explaining the characteristics of God in such a way that it inspires you to fall on your knees and worship God.
The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer - This a must read! Tozer can take take an attribute of God and explain it concisely and understandably in just 3 or 4 pages. It's a short book with short chapters, but it is packed full of wisdom and awe-inspiring thoughts on the nature of God. Read this book!!!
Because We Love Him by Clyde Cranford - This book is written by a man in Arkansas who devoted himself to discipling young men one on one for years. The wise words in this book are amazing. When I first read this book, I remember it being a time of great spiritual growth for me. Check it out.
Desiring God by John Piper - This book helped me form a lot of my theology and spark a passion in me for missions. I was actually reading this book when God called to come plant Fusion Church. It's really good (however long) read!
In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO
Crazy Love by Francis Chan - This book is a great book about the crazy love of God and how we can be changed by it and begin to emulate it in our own lives. It's a great short read. Currently our whole staff team is about to read this one together. I'm looking forward to reading it again!
Knowing God by J.I. Packer - Packer is really great theologian that has a way of explaining the characteristics of God in such a way that it inspires you to fall on your knees and worship God.
The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer - This a must read! Tozer can take take an attribute of God and explain it concisely and understandably in just 3 or 4 pages. It's a short book with short chapters, but it is packed full of wisdom and awe-inspiring thoughts on the nature of God. Read this book!!!
Because We Love Him by Clyde Cranford - This book is written by a man in Arkansas who devoted himself to discipling young men one on one for years. The wise words in this book are amazing. When I first read this book, I remember it being a time of great spiritual growth for me. Check it out.
Desiring God by John Piper - This book helped me form a lot of my theology and spark a passion in me for missions. I was actually reading this book when God called to come plant Fusion Church. It's really good (however long) read!
In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO
Ridiculous - Some of the "Wisest" Things Ever Said
Maybe we're not as smart as we think.
"Things are more like they are now than they ever have been before." President Gerald Ford.
"If English was good enough for Jesus Christ, it's good enough for me." a congressman to Dr. Davis Edwards, head of the Joint National Committee on Language, about the necessity for a commercial nation to be multi-lingual.
"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." - Dan Quayle, former U.S. Vice President
"The internet is a great way to get on the net." - Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate
"Predictions are difficult. Especially about the future." - Yogi Berra, Baseball player
"They misunderestimated me. - George W Bush
"Food is an important part of a balanced diet." - Fran Lebowitz, US writer
"A word to the wise ain't necessary, its the stupid ones who need all the advice." - Bill Cosby
In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO
"Things are more like they are now than they ever have been before." President Gerald Ford.
"If English was good enough for Jesus Christ, it's good enough for me." a congressman to Dr. Davis Edwards, head of the Joint National Committee on Language, about the necessity for a commercial nation to be multi-lingual.
"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." - Dan Quayle, former U.S. Vice President
"The internet is a great way to get on the net." - Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate
"Predictions are difficult. Especially about the future." - Yogi Berra, Baseball player
"They misunderestimated me. - George W Bush
"Food is an important part of a balanced diet." - Fran Lebowitz, US writer
"A word to the wise ain't necessary, its the stupid ones who need all the advice." - Bill Cosby
In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Serious - The Goal of God's Love May Not Be What You Think!
This article on God's love by John Piper says a lot of some of things I want to touch on last week but didn't have the time to cover. Enjoy!
Do people go to the Grand Canyon to increase their self-esteem? Probably not. This is, at least, a hint that the deepest joys in life come not from savoring the self, but from seeing splendor. And in the end even the Grand Canyon will not do. We were made to enjoy God.
We are all bent to believe that we are central in the universe. How shall we be cured of this joy-destroying disease? Perhaps by hearing afresh how radically God-centered reality is according to the Bible.
Both the Old and New Testament tell us that God's loving us is a means to our glorifying him. "Christ became a servant ... in order that the nations might glorify God for his mercy" (Romans 15:8-9). God has been merciful to us so that we would magnify him. We see it again in the words, "In love [God] destined us to adoption ... to the praise of the glory of His grace" (Ephesians 1:4-6). In other words, the goal of God's loving us is that we might praise him. One more illustration from Psalm 86:12-13: "I will glorify your name forever. For your lovingkindness toward me is great." God's love is the ground. His glory is the goal.
This is shocking. The love of God is not God's making much of us, but God's saving us from self-centeredness so that we can enjoy making much of him forever. And our love to others is not our making much of them, but helping them to find satisfaction in making much of God.True love aims at satisfying people in the glory of God. Any love that terminates on man is eventually destructive. It does not lead people to the only lasting joy, namely, God. Love must be God-centered, or it is not true love; it leaves people without their final hope of joy.
Take the cross of Christ, for example. The death of Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of divine love: "God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Yet the Bible also says that the aim of the death of Christ was "to demonstrate [God's] righteousness, because in the forbearance of God he passed over the sins previously committed" (Romans 3:25). Passing over sins creates a huge problem for the righteousness of God. It makes him look like a judge who lets criminals go free without punishment. In other words, the mercy of God puts the justice of God in jeopardy.
So to vindicate his justice he does the unthinkable – he puts his Son to death as the substitute penalty for our sins. The cross makes it plain to everyone that God does not sweep evil under the rug of the universe. He punishes it in Jesus for those who believe.
But notice that this ultimately loving act has at the center of it the vindication of the righteousness of God. Good Friday love is God-glorifying love. God exalts God at the cross. If he didn't, he could not be just and rescue us from sin. But it is a mistake to say, "Well, if the aim was to rescue us, then we were the ultimate goal of the cross." No, we were rescued from sin in order that we might see and savor the glory of God. This is the ultimately loving aim of Christ's death. He did not die to make much of us, but to free us to enjoy making much of God forever.
It is profoundly wrong to turn the cross into a proof that self-esteem is the root of mental health. If I stand before the love of God and do not feel a healthy, satisfying, freeing joy unless I turn that love into an echo of my self-esteem, then I am like a man who stands before the Grand Canyon and feels no satisfying wonder until he translates the canyon into a case for his own significance. That is not the presence of mental health, but bondage to self.
The cure for this bondage is to see that God is the one being in the universe for whom self-exaltation is the most loving act. In exalting himself – Grand Canyon-like – he gets the glory and we get the joy. The greatest news in all the world is that there is no final conflict between my passion for joy and God's passion for his glory. The knot that ties these together is the truth that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Jesus Christ died and rose again to forgive the treason of our souls, which have turned from savoring God to savoring self. In the cross of Christ, God rescues us from the house of mirrors and leads us out to the mountains and canyons of his majesty. Nothing satisfies us – or magnifies him – more.
Marinate on that.
In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO
Do people go to the Grand Canyon to increase their self-esteem? Probably not. This is, at least, a hint that the deepest joys in life come not from savoring the self, but from seeing splendor. And in the end even the Grand Canyon will not do. We were made to enjoy God.
We are all bent to believe that we are central in the universe. How shall we be cured of this joy-destroying disease? Perhaps by hearing afresh how radically God-centered reality is according to the Bible.
Both the Old and New Testament tell us that God's loving us is a means to our glorifying him. "Christ became a servant ... in order that the nations might glorify God for his mercy" (Romans 15:8-9). God has been merciful to us so that we would magnify him. We see it again in the words, "In love [God] destined us to adoption ... to the praise of the glory of His grace" (Ephesians 1:4-6). In other words, the goal of God's loving us is that we might praise him. One more illustration from Psalm 86:12-13: "I will glorify your name forever. For your lovingkindness toward me is great." God's love is the ground. His glory is the goal.
This is shocking. The love of God is not God's making much of us, but God's saving us from self-centeredness so that we can enjoy making much of him forever. And our love to others is not our making much of them, but helping them to find satisfaction in making much of God.True love aims at satisfying people in the glory of God. Any love that terminates on man is eventually destructive. It does not lead people to the only lasting joy, namely, God. Love must be God-centered, or it is not true love; it leaves people without their final hope of joy.
Take the cross of Christ, for example. The death of Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of divine love: "God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Yet the Bible also says that the aim of the death of Christ was "to demonstrate [God's] righteousness, because in the forbearance of God he passed over the sins previously committed" (Romans 3:25). Passing over sins creates a huge problem for the righteousness of God. It makes him look like a judge who lets criminals go free without punishment. In other words, the mercy of God puts the justice of God in jeopardy.
So to vindicate his justice he does the unthinkable – he puts his Son to death as the substitute penalty for our sins. The cross makes it plain to everyone that God does not sweep evil under the rug of the universe. He punishes it in Jesus for those who believe.
But notice that this ultimately loving act has at the center of it the vindication of the righteousness of God. Good Friday love is God-glorifying love. God exalts God at the cross. If he didn't, he could not be just and rescue us from sin. But it is a mistake to say, "Well, if the aim was to rescue us, then we were the ultimate goal of the cross." No, we were rescued from sin in order that we might see and savor the glory of God. This is the ultimately loving aim of Christ's death. He did not die to make much of us, but to free us to enjoy making much of God forever.
It is profoundly wrong to turn the cross into a proof that self-esteem is the root of mental health. If I stand before the love of God and do not feel a healthy, satisfying, freeing joy unless I turn that love into an echo of my self-esteem, then I am like a man who stands before the Grand Canyon and feels no satisfying wonder until he translates the canyon into a case for his own significance. That is not the presence of mental health, but bondage to self.
The cure for this bondage is to see that God is the one being in the universe for whom self-exaltation is the most loving act. In exalting himself – Grand Canyon-like – he gets the glory and we get the joy. The greatest news in all the world is that there is no final conflict between my passion for joy and God's passion for his glory. The knot that ties these together is the truth that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Jesus Christ died and rose again to forgive the treason of our souls, which have turned from savoring God to savoring self. In the cross of Christ, God rescues us from the house of mirrors and leads us out to the mountains and canyons of his majesty. Nothing satisfies us – or magnifies him – more.
Marinate on that.
In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Ridiculous Videos about Love
This is the band Switchfoot covering Beyonce's song "Crazy in Love". I thought it was somewhat fitting. And it makes me giggle.
Here's a good video about a Seriously Ridiculous way one little girl tried to show her love for her sister through song. Although the song went off without a hitch, I have a feeling that her sister didn't feel the love.
Here's a good video about a Seriously Ridiculous way one little girl tried to show her love for her sister through song. Although the song went off without a hitch, I have a feeling that her sister didn't feel the love.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Serious - Ways to Show Love to Your Community
Here's a few random ideas of seriously ridiculous ways to show God's love to others. Remember that the point of these actions is to share the Gospel! When you perform one of these seriously ridiculous actions follow it up with "This is just my way of showing God's love for you" or something of the like. And always keep a watchful eye out for moments when you can share the gospel with them! So, here's some ideas:
*Buy Someone's Groceries - Save up some money and randomly pay for someone's groceries when your at Wal-Mart.
*Service Someone's Car - Find an excuse to borrow a single mom's car and take it to get the oil changed, the tires replaced, a tune-up, a good wash and detail and then return without saying a word about it.
*Mow Your Neighbor's Lawn
*Buy Your Co-workers Lunch
*Help a Friend Move
*Grill A LOT of Hot Dogs at a Local Park and Give Them Away
*Give Away Some Pizza to the Skateboards @ Metcalfe Park
*Shovel the Snow For All Your Neighbors
*Give Away Water to People in a Long Line For a Local Concert
*Give Umbrella Escorts to and from SafeWay on a Rainy Day (or better yet) Give away Umbrellas at SafeWay on a Rainy Day.
For a more ridiculous list visit: http://www.servantevangelism.com/matrix/matrix.htm and http://servolution.org/ideas/
In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Founatin, CO
For a more ridiculous list visit: http://www.servantevangelism.com/matrix/matrix.htm and http://servolution.org/ideas/
In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Founatin, CO
Welcome to the Seriouly Ridiculous Blog!
Hey Everybody! Thanks for checking out the Seriously Ridiculous blog. All through the Seriously Ridiculous series this June, this blog will be updated daily with various Ridiculous and/or Serious posts. Although every post will in some way tie into Sunday's message, some may be Ridiculous tidbits just to put a smile on your face, while others will be more Serious thoughts such as devotional thoughts and extra passages of scripture that I was just unable to fit in on Sunday morning. Be sure to check back everyday for a new Serious or Ridiculous thought to marinate on as you go through your day! More Later! - Ryan
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