Friday Fragments

I don't have a coherent theme to write about; just a few miscellaneous thoughts rolling around. Not sure if this will become a regular blog feature, though I kinda like "Friday Fragments" as a title. I've never blogged consistently enough to think that I'll manage to pull something together every Friday, but you never know.  Here goes...

• Orthodoxy, orthopraxy, doxology. Orthodoxy = right doctrine; orthopraxy = right practice; doxology = word of glory, praise. Right doctrine should never stop with a correct formulation of truth. It should lead to right practice and to praise. 2 Corinthians 7:1 "Since we have these promises [orthodoxy], beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from very defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God [orthopraxy]." 1 Timothy 1:15-17 "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.  But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. [orthodoxy] To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever [doxology]. Amen." Trouble worshiping? Remember God's truth! And let's not be so foolish as to think that doctrine doesn't matter - trying to do the right thing and warm, fuzzy singing won't cut it. If we don't get our doctrine right, we won't get our practice or worship right.
• Bibles - Is choosing a Bible as traumatic for you as it is for me? I may be slightly exaggerating, but the breathtaking array of layouts, covers, materials, colors, translations, features, etc. is a bit much. (This is to say nothing of the various themed Bibles: student Bible, Bible for moms, teen Bible, children's Bible, singles' Bible, Bible for 2nd shift factory workers, etc...as though the Bible wasn't already relevant to all of those people. Argh! But I digress...) Of course picky consumers like myself likely have driven the multiplication of such features. But when it comes down to the exact combination that I want, do you think it's available? Sigh. (Actually it is, but I don't want to pay that much, especially when I could get a replacement for mine that fell apart for free.)  Want to know exactly what I wanted? ESV, black, genuine leather, cross references, black letter edition, sewn binding. Five out of six isn't too bad. What features do you want in your copy of the Bible?
• Preaching decisions - If a sermon series has already been interrupted one week and will be interrupted again next week, should I return to the series in the intervening week or preach a stand alone sermon and come back to the series after a 3 week break. Hmm. Come Sunday and find out!
• Warmth - It is a glorious day outside after a long, very cold winter.  Sunny and in the 60s.  Which means for the rest of the evening you can expect to find me outside grilling supper, taking a stroll, and roasting marshmallows. If you swing by and see smoke rising from the backyard, come on back, have a burger, hotdog, or s'more, and delight in the beautiful world God has given us to enjoy and glorify him in doing so. (See how doctrine, practice, and praise all hang together there?) Have a great weekend!