tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36019466533288825282012-01-27T20:56:21.261-05:00Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.comBlogger2771100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-41174355698615820262012-01-24T20:18:00.000-05:002012-01-24T20:18:12.908-05:00

I have started to tackle the book of Revelation again, in preparation for a Revelation seminar I will be presenting in the fall. This is a book that I have not spent a great deal of time grappling with. I have made attempts in the past but have not gotten very far. In looking through previous notes on my studies in Revelation, I came across these notes that I was keeping almost two years ago. I

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-13667507985589929502012-01-06T13:45:00.003-05:002012-01-06T14:24:25.987-05:00

It’s hard to quantify just how much of an impact a book has had on one’s life—especially when that book is judged against other books. But I got to thinking today about the books that have had the greatest impact on my life—outside the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy—and these ones came to my mind the quickest. It is these ones that I find myself going back to time and time again. They are the

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-47970625833002915722011-12-07T11:26:00.001-05:002011-12-07T11:27:26.679-05:00

(Note 1: I originally posted this about 11 months ago but I thought it fitting to repost it as GYC approaches again. This is an appeal to all those who are preparing to present at this year's GYC in Houston, Texas. Note 2: I started preparing this blog before David Asscherick gave his closing talk at GYC this past Sunday, January 2. I was thrilled to hear him say some of the same things that I

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-22583591124184927592011-11-30T12:26:00.001-05:002011-11-30T13:00:06.639-05:00

People who have read my blog for a while or know me personally have a good idea of my continuous struggle with professional sports. My challenges are fairly well-documented - and confessed! Over the last year or so, however, the Lord has been putting in my path other people who have seemed to recognize the downfalls of investing too much time (or any time) in this form of entertainment. And

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-17521228667352992302011-11-29T11:56:00.001-05:002011-11-29T12:06:06.236-05:00

Hopefully it won't be the case, but you may be hearing from me less on this blog for a little while. That is because I have been blessed with the opportunity to share my thoughts via a new blog on the Bangor Daily News website. I have called it "Convergence," and it is geared more toward a general audience. This current blog, "New England Pastor," is more of an "in-house," Adventist-focused blog.

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-11679292109988289562011-11-11T09:11:00.000-05:002011-11-11T09:39:50.385-05:00

I have this problem. It's a terrible problem and I am approaching it with all seriousness. For some reason, for much of my life I have possessed a picture of Jesus that I am not quite sure is completely accurate. I don't know where I got this picture. Maybe it is the visual representations I have seen. Maybe it is the attitude with which people have shared the gospel story. Maybe it is the

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-13546721417504068672011-11-08T20:40:00.002-05:002011-11-08T20:57:54.718-05:00

(Every once in a while I still read Don Banks's "Snap Judgments" about the National Football League where he shares his "Musings, observations and the occasional insight" about the week of NFL games. I don't admit this proudly - only to indicate where I got the title for this particular post.) I want to share a few random and often unrelated thoughts that are rolling around in my mind about life

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-49879544962438637002011-11-02T11:25:00.005-04:002011-11-02T11:34:21.432-04:00

(Note: this is the unedited version of my upcoming editorial for New England Pastor magazine.)I am always intrigued by how much I learn about God from my kids. I know that I am no exception. These discoveries are often the result of the little headaches, heartaches, and challenges that come along when one is a parent. Sometimes they are from a Bible story I might be explaining or reading to my

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-91050510827731312962011-10-28T08:37:00.005-04:002011-10-28T13:07:48.774-04:00

The last two nights I have been a part of two unrelated - yet related - conversations. Neither of them were earth-shattering, but they gave me occasion to do a little reflecting. Last night, my wife and I were treated to a much-needed night out. Camille's brother and his wife now live three houses down from us in Maine, which has been such a huge blessing on many levels, and they were gracious

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-77621245314517995012011-10-06T11:11:00.004-04:002011-10-06T12:16:44.423-04:00

It seems to me that if there was one idea that I wish everyone could be impressed with, it would be this: the only thing - and I mean the only thing - anyone in this world deserves is non-existence.That's it.I, myself, have been impressed with this idea more and more recently. It is an idea that I have been familiar with for a long time, but for some reason, it seems to be hitting home a lot more

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-25922281097646136662011-10-05T10:15:00.004-04:002011-10-05T10:25:51.418-04:00

My new book, Pursued, is now available and in stock from amazon.com.You can purchase it by clicking here.

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-88280287359056728912011-09-06T20:42:00.006-04:002011-09-07T07:42:58.675-04:00

(From top left to right: Texas wildfires, Alabama tornado destruction, Washington DC's National Cathedral earthquake aftermath, Vermont flooding)People who read my blog or hear me preach or read other stuff I've written know that I do not dwell very much on the "signs of the times." In fact, I cannot remember ever taking a full sermon, article, blog or anything to focus on the idea that we are

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-55395308281437435992011-09-06T20:26:00.002-04:002011-09-06T20:32:21.863-04:00

If you are interested in reading the first chapter of my new book, Pursued by a Relentless God, you can find that by clicking here.Similarly, you can order the book by going here.It should also be available from Amazon.com soon from here - including the kindle version.And, if you're interested in reading the book I published three years ago, Waiting at the Altar, you can find that here at

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-68183256171351594642011-08-31T12:25:00.005-04:002011-08-31T12:45:24.396-04:00

Note: This is a "sneak peak" of my rather lengthy editorial in the September-October 2011 issue of New England Pastor magazine.A lot has been made recently about the topic of “Spiritual Formation.” Books have been written, blogs have been posted, sermons have been preached, pastors and teachers have been accused. It has become one of the hottest issues within Adventism. At the center of the

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-77301460738967455342011-08-24T09:04:00.003-04:002011-08-24T09:13:27.581-04:00

Oh, how I wish I could write in the prophetic perfect and say that this mountain has been conquered. But three amigos and I will be attempting to climb Mt. Katahdin - Maine's highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail - on Thursday and Friday. It stands at 5,268 feet and we are planning to hike Knife Edge - one of the most thrilling and daunting trails in the northeastern

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-9811889847164034772011-07-26T13:27:00.001-04:002011-07-26T13:28:23.696-04:00

This is probably Elder Robert Wieland's most well-known sermon. It is a powerful, powerful one that I would encourage you to watch.

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-38604982941340092252011-07-18T12:00:00.013-04:002011-07-18T16:16:13.912-04:00

You probably won't read the news of his passing in the Adventist Review, or on the Adventist News Network website. You probably won't read it in Spectrum or see it announced on 3ABN. And that's fine. But the Adventist Church just lost one of its biggest - yet maligned - giants last week. Elder Robert J. Wieland - missionary to Africa, author of over 25 books, and herald of our history - passed

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-75076956677403636342011-07-14T14:44:00.000-04:002011-07-14T14:45:02.438-04:00

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-34191130825846184742011-07-13T16:21:00.009-04:002011-07-14T13:39:15.674-04:00

Not to belabor the topic of corporate justification, but I would just like to, very briefly, add one more thought to this important topic (please read three of my recent posts on this important topic: "The Sticking Point," "My Personal Journey With Corporate Justification," and "Investigating the Biblical Basis for Corporate Justification") .That is, I have heard people object that God could not

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-32972425687616607722011-07-12T14:13:00.013-04:002011-07-13T15:42:08.713-04:00

Over the course of my journey as it relates to the idea of corporate justification, there was one verse that I kept coming back to. No matter how close I came to throwing out the whole idea, I couldn't get this one verse out of my head. In many ways, it has been - and continues to be - my favorite passage in all of scripture, even setting aside its implications for corporate justification.The

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-52754437318488068862011-07-12T11:47:00.007-04:002011-07-12T14:05:39.547-04:00

So what is "corporate justification"? Is it biblical? Can it be supported by Ellen White? Was it a key element of Jones and Waggoner's "1888 message"? Is it "cheap grace," "anti-nomian," "anti-investigative judgment"? Does it discourage people from repenting or confessing their sins?First, a personal testimony. I grew up in a family that placed strong emphasis, not only on the message that Jones

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-59286038984273098802011-07-12T10:12:00.003-04:002011-07-12T11:46:22.864-04:00

I have been overjoyed recently with the groundswell of interest across the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the "most precious message" that was presented by A.T. Jones and E.J. Waggoner over a century ago. Over the course of my short life - and even shorter experience with this message - never before have I seen such a growing burden to embrace and share this message. Individuals and groups from

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-85953860137761282682011-06-17T15:26:00.001-04:002011-06-17T15:27:05.494-04:00

Faith that Works (Part 6): Out With the Old, In With the NewJune 4, 2011Bangor Seventh-day Adventist Church - Hermon, MaineMP3

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-23284427393455993792011-06-07T08:41:00.002-04:002011-06-07T08:43:54.144-04:00

This video has gone viral by my standards so I thought I would pass it along to others. Hope you enjoy a little serenading from the Brace family. Camden just turned two and Acadia Belle will be four-months-old in two days.

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-69785694481707762612011-05-28T19:22:00.005-04:002011-05-28T21:04:38.140-04:00

I have been overwhelmed since I woke up this morning and checked my e-mail to discover that my recent post on the Sabbath has all of a sudden garnered quite a response. I was shocked to see that, overnight, I had received scores of comments.This is surprising because, although I have posted some items that have received quite a bit of feedback, it was nothing of this magnitude. After doing a

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-69454483595452484342011-05-18T13:10:00.001-04:002011-05-18T13:12:17.960-04:00

This is for any Romanian friends who might read my blog:Solia 1888 from gsm1888.ro on Vimeo.

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-71996258920924212592011-05-16T09:29:00.001-04:002011-05-16T10:01:12.830-04:00

I have been accused by more than one person in the past of possessing a healthy dose of self-righteousness. And, truthfully, as I reflect on my zealous nature, I can't help but think that far too often the shoe fits. I am truly saddened to recognize that many times I have hurt people with my judgmental attitude, though I am glad the Lord has been working on my heart in this area.I write this

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-1921902817819954682011-05-09T11:44:00.006-04:002011-05-09T18:49:19.328-04:00

There are many Christians, and especially Seventh-day Adventist Christians, who talk about the importance of followers of Christ being "different" than the world. "We are to be in the world," the popular sentiment goes, "but not of the world."I have no problem with this concept, in theory. I think it is a very biblical idea. It seems clear from the Bible that we are not to "love the world or the

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-17002820269496421302011-05-09T11:29:00.000-04:002011-05-09T11:30:24.136-04:00

NNEC Righteousness by Faith Rally Promo Video from Shawn Brace on Vimeo.2011 Dates and LocationsJune 26 & 29 - NNEC Camp Meeting (Freeport, ME)September 23-24 - Concord SDA Church (Concord, NH)October 13-16 - Camp Lawroweld (Weld, ME)December 2-3 - Bangor SDA Church (Bangor, ME)For more information, visit nnecprayerministries.com

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-56866930962367624422011-04-05T11:10:00.004-04:002011-04-05T12:22:48.929-04:00

Over the weekend, some family members and I found ourselves talking about the Free Masons. This mysterious fraternity has captured the imagination of many - be they Seventh-day Adventists who like a good conspiracy or Hollywood producers who like money. For the former group, the Free Masons are behind the scenes when it comes to everything going on in the world. Be it 9/11 or the impending "

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-62188626910420852532011-03-29T18:32:00.009-04:002011-03-30T16:59:07.888-04:00

(Before proceeding, you must read Part 1.)So how is a person "saved"? What does it mean to be "saved" to begin with? And what is the goal of "salvation"?These are questions that many of us often give casual and hasty thought to. This is because we either assume we know the answers already, or we believe the questions are not all that important to begin with. We know the string of texts that we

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-67340039434678230372011-03-29T13:11:00.003-04:002011-03-29T18:06:53.297-04:00

I know that I am not the first to arrive on this scene, but I have come to some interesting realizations recently about the topic of salvation. With the help of some good theological partners and a personal study of Scripture, I have started to see that salvation is a "process."At first appearance you may be thinking to yourself, "Duh . . . of course it is," but what I mean by "process" may not

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-18842384114324953902011-03-14T17:20:00.011-04:002011-03-23T13:16:56.989-04:00

In my last post, I introduced the idea of God's sovereignty and reflected upon the witness of Isaiah in relation to this sovereignty. My conclusion, of course, is that, even though God is sovereign, in an objective sense, He chooses to interact with His creatures in a humble and non-controlling way.Next, I want to look at a favorite passage of "sovereignty advocates" in the NT and discuss the

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-57052205633029495772011-03-12T20:26:00.027-05:002011-03-14T16:22:51.371-04:00

For many Christians, the most vital aspect of God's character is His sovereignty. They cling to this attribute without reservation. Everything in scripture is interpreted through this lens. Ideas such as unconditional election, predestination, and irresistible grace flow from this foundational hermeneutic.This topic is especially relevant in light of the earth's latest disaster, an 8.9 magnitude

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-59474772230457834802011-03-10T13:31:00.010-05:002011-03-10T13:55:32.991-05:00

(Note: this post is a message I shared with a friend of mine who asked me about the Sabbath. He/she has been a lifelong Seventh-day Adventist and sees the importance of the Sabbath, but wonders about its endtime significance and whether those living in the last days must be Sabbath-keepers in order to be "saved." This is a question that often arises and so I thought it would be helpful to share

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-51873310477164470752011-02-03T11:01:00.008-05:002011-02-03T13:11:37.649-05:00

The Greek word agape has long been considered the pinnacle of all ideas in Christian theology. This word, which Carsten Johnsen calls the "term par excellence" of the Christian faith, has ruled the roost for decades, if not millenia. Now . . . not so much. Scholars and exegetes have begun to call into question the traditional understanding of this word. They have further called into question

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-5022922873179075872011-01-06T12:21:00.001-05:002011-01-06T12:21:36.120-05:00

I don't want to belabor the point, but I just wanted to follow up on my previous post about GYC. I want to share an addendum to what I wrote.But before I do that, I want to once again make it clear that I do not write these things with malice, envy, self-righteousness, or anything of the sort (at least that is my hope). I write as a friend and supporter of GYC. I write as someone who shares all

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-9822425114307494572011-01-01T18:57:00.018-05:002011-01-04T13:06:26.517-05:00

(Note: I started preparing this blog before David Asscherick gave his closing talk at GYC this past Sunday, January 2. I was thrilled to hear him say some of the same things that I had already been thinking about. His "cautionary" words were very appropriate and, in this post, I simply want to piggy-back on what he said in that talk. I am also glad that he said it because there are a lot more

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-76410712112675838922010-12-13T09:52:00.001-05:002010-12-13T09:53:20.214-05:00

A very appropriate thought for me this morning. From Dial Daily Bread:Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"Is it possible that our Enemy, Satan, could be pulling a fast one on us while we are asleep as Christians?Just as Jeremiah's detractors begged him with the request, "Is there any word from the Lord?" so we would love to get some direct e-mail message from Christ, some fresh, up-to-the-minute "

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-54607110209997993802010-12-03T10:37:00.000-05:002010-12-03T10:38:23.468-05:00

Great stuff from Robert Wieland:Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"Dear Mrs. ______________ :You write that you got up early yesterday morning to spend some "quality time" with the Lord--prayer and Bible study so as to maintain your "relationship" with Him. But then you couldn't help noticing how disheveled the house was and how messy the kitchen, so you felt you had to straighten things up, and

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-87876090398126390372010-11-17T10:23:00.004-05:002010-11-17T12:21:05.940-05:00

Human beings are, for the most part, pretty well aware of how we're supposed to live and the way were are supposed to act. This is especially true of Christians, and maybe even especially, especially true of Seventh-day Adventist Christians. We all essentially know that we are supposed to treat one another with respect, that we are not supposed to take someone else's toy, or hit back when we have

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-84521930642230157862010-11-04T07:59:00.001-04:002010-11-04T08:00:29.768-04:00

From Dial Daily Bread:Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"It's the question many ask, and yes, angels too, as do the entire universe: how does the "objective gospel" ("righteousness by faith") get translated into the "subjective gospel" of righteousness in the life?Until the answer is demonstrated, "the bride, the Lamb's wife" won't "make herself ready," and the great controversy between Christ

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-55188501351212863082010-10-19T10:58:00.015-04:002010-10-19T21:03:18.226-04:00

Left to right: Ron Nickerson, Jason Disch, Frank Donald, Brenda Johnson, Phil Johnson, Rick Kuntz, Arnet Mathers, Greg Carter, Cornell Preda, Frankie Brownell, Steve Brownell, Shawn BraceAt the risk of overstating things, I just spent the last two days experiencing what I believe is the beginning of something that will change the world. I believe it will have eternal consequences. Along with 11

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-59917504742084898172010-10-05T11:02:00.001-04:002010-10-05T11:03:57.975-04:00

This, from Robert Wieland:Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"What motivates good, sincere people to persecute others who differ from them in religious conviction? The opposition can take cruel forms. Wars have been fought over religion. The United States was "conceived" by a desire to escape religious persecution (said Lincoln).Thank God we don't now throw theological opponents into prison or

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-8911022032623911922010-10-01T10:17:00.001-04:002010-10-01T10:18:29.433-04:00

Very timely and relevant thought (though originally written three years ago), from Robert Wieland:Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"Devout Jews are monotheists; they believe in one true God, the Creator of heaven and earth. They believe their Bible, which is the Old Testament.They still gather together at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and pray for the coming of their Messiah, believing that He

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-29324950085301647512010-09-30T16:15:00.005-04:002010-09-30T16:22:17.559-04:00

Hello. I'm Shawn. This is my blog.Sorry, just thought I would re-introduce myself.At any rate, I am not really going to be blogging much of anything right now. I am, instead, simply sharing a little bit about an exciting event coming up in another two weeks. We, in the Northern New England Conference, are going to be doing something that has, perhaps, not been done in any other conference for a

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-13991820086220322832010-08-25T11:10:00.001-04:002010-08-25T11:13:22.182-04:00

This, from Robert Wieland again:Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"A group of teenage students in a Christian school nearby were having a Week of Prayer. Their hearts moved, they lit a bonfire for their rock music CDs. They realized that some if not many of the popular rock lyrics are frankly the worship and glorification of Satan. The "great controversy between Christ and Satan" is raging right

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-24474067773072538852010-08-24T09:35:00.001-04:002010-08-24T09:35:32.192-04:00

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-74218595997206564432010-07-29T09:01:00.004-04:002010-07-29T09:07:19.975-04:00

This was today's devotional thought from "Dial Daily Bread" by my good friend, Robert Wieland. I thought it was relevant to my recent posts on baptism, indoctrination, and church membership. Please take a few seconds to read these few paragraphs and share your thoughts.Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"Someone asks: Are we sure that the Bible teaches that God's "church" is a visible organization

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-28403924125804421532010-07-26T16:24:00.003-04:002010-07-26T16:29:46.529-04:00

As many - if not all - of you know, I am a big fan of photography. It is a passionate hobby of mine. But that's all it is: a hobby. Yet my dear wife asked me if she could utilize my hobby for her gain. She has started a business venture, utilizing my free time to turn her a profit. Enter Brace Photography and www.bracephotography.com.If you are looking for someone to shoot your wedding

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-14977843796389546062010-07-20T15:32:00.002-04:002010-07-20T16:15:16.951-04:00

Somewhere along the line, Christians the world over have been led to believe that the Sabbath commandment is the only one of the Ten Commandments not repeated in the New Testament. I am not sure where this idea originated, but I am very intrigued by it. One need only do a quick Google search to realize this widespread concept being promulgated. See here and here as examples. (This is not to

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-29409559376809534862010-07-14T16:03:00.003-04:002010-07-14T21:43:52.207-04:00

I have shared this “Covenant Health Assessment” the last month or so with various audiences: two Camp Meetings and two of my churches. Please take a few minutes to go over it, keeping in mind that this is a “work in progress” and not scientific. If you have any disagreements over the answers, or on how I can word some of the questions more clearly, please let me know. Also, if you’d like to know

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-84463482029220369362010-07-08T12:15:00.021-04:002010-07-08T15:54:34.671-04:00

To read Part 1 click here.When one reads the book of Acts, it is alarming to discover how community-oriented the early church was. Coming from a Western perspective, where we are very individualistic, we have a hard time appreciating just how "corporate" the thinking of the New Testament church was. This, of course, was very much rooted in the Hebrew mindset - as ordained by God, I do believe -

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-69301843864033393432010-07-08T10:48:00.015-04:002010-07-08T15:55:09.293-04:00

There seems to be a growing sentiment, even among clergy, that the act of baptism is separate from either indoctrination or church membership. All that is "required" for baptism, it is proposed, is that a person accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Such an individual then learns the more finer points of doctrine and - at some point in the future - joins the body of Christ through

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-85340671208180447522010-05-05T06:49:00.000-04:002010-05-05T06:50:01.871-04:00

There are three ladies mentioned in Luke 8 that have piqued my curiosity. One of them—Mary Magdalene—I am quite familiar with, but the other two are ones that we don’t know a lot about. In fact, one of them is mentioned twice in the whole Bible, and the other is mentioned just this once. The first one is “Joanna the wife of Chura” (Luke 8:3). She is mentioned again in Luke 24 as one of the

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-2281958490674902352010-04-28T06:45:00.001-04:002010-04-28T06:45:35.299-04:00

Are there degrees in which we can love Jesus? Do some people love Him more than others? In our politically correct culture—even within the Church—we shy away from making such distinctions. We don’t want to step on anyone’s toes and imply that there are some people who just seem to have a much deeper love for God than others. Yet it is a distinction that Christ made. When visiting with

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-29247975327015884992010-04-27T06:55:00.001-04:002010-04-27T07:01:05.669-04:00

Dr. Luke shares one of the most sobering statements I have come across in a while. Tucked away in the seventh chapter of his Gospel account, he writes this about a group of people who thought they were the great repositories of God’s favor. Notice what he says: “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves” (Luke 7:30). Yikes! You talk about cutting to the heart

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-17583282406330793382010-04-15T09:11:00.006-04:002010-04-26T11:17:11.255-04:00

One of my favorite disciplines within biblical study is the exercise of intertextuality. In fact, this is my favorite way to study the Bible. For those who are unfamiliar with this discipline, I like how Wikipedia defines the practice: Intertextuality "is the shaping of texts' meanings by other texts. It can refer to an author’s borrowing and transformation of a prior text or to a reader’s

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-62286016928088846512010-04-15T06:59:00.000-04:002010-04-15T07:00:06.858-04:00

Discouraged? Need a jolt of energy or assurance that God is with you and will provide for you? How about this: “I have been young, and now am old,” David writes, “yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendents begging bread” (Psalm 37:25). Of course, David was a King. He had it all. He did not have to worry about where his next meal was coming from, or whether he would have a

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-34654786386603056302010-04-09T06:57:00.001-04:002010-04-09T06:57:36.820-04:00

I have been thinking a bit lately about what Jesus’ living situation would be were He alive today. Would He be driving a Lexus? Would He have a nice house with a three-car garage, replete with a big plasma TV so He could watch 3ABN? What about His clothing? Would He wear the top-of-the-line name brands all the time? We could never know for sure, I don’t think, but I believe the Gospels give

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-2550118798813591422010-04-07T06:46:00.003-04:002010-04-07T06:47:19.032-04:00

For some reason, I have never gotten all that excited in the past about Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness and the subsequent temptations from Satan. I am not sure why. I guess I always felt like it was the story of a Man who almost had superhuman strength and He did something that the rest of us could never do. I mean, 40 days without food? But just recently I have realized the incredible

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-27964834780991279432010-04-06T06:57:00.001-04:002010-04-06T06:57:53.014-04:00

The greatest evangelists have always been those who have had a life-altering experience with Jesus. Such is the case of a man with leprosy that Luke tells us about in Luke 5. The physician-author Luke relates that Jesus was in a “certain city” when a men with leprosy approaches Him. Having heard about Jesus’ ministry, the man is hopeful that Christ will be able to heal him of his infirmity.

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-18439350426373197592010-04-05T07:30:00.001-04:002010-04-05T07:30:57.505-04:00

Camden is in a place now where he is learning the hard way how to walk. Perhaps it is harder for his parents! (If you’re a parent, I’m sure you know what I mean.) He is finding his way around our house by holding on to various pieces of furniture or walls or whatever. Occasionally he takes steps on his own without the assistance of anything else. But, though it is getting less frequent, there

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-68674033991467400762010-04-01T06:59:00.001-04:002010-04-01T06:59:57.333-04:00

Have you ever thought about Jesus having a personal “mission statement”? Companies, churches, and institutions often have mission statements. It is a brief explanation of why they exist. And all actions, decisions, or events are planned within the framework of that mission or purpose—at least ideally. I have heard of individual people who have their own personal mission statement. There is

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-61329387821171408302010-03-27T07:40:00.001-04:002010-03-27T07:40:36.526-04:00

Having neighbors can be an interesting affair. Sometimes they can be great, other times—not so much. Fortunately, Camille and I have never had bad neighbors since we have been married (living in our respective dorms before that is another story, of course!). But no one wants to live next to a person who has an obnoxious dog that is always yapping or a loud stereo that always seems to be blaring.

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-79376386169151396602010-03-25T07:17:00.001-04:002010-03-25T07:17:22.403-04:00

Here’s an interesting thought: when Christ was baptized by John the Baptist, was He merely setting an example for us to do the same, or was He actually entering into a baptism of repentance? Perhaps you have never thought about it before. Or perhaps you don’t really care to think about it because you don’t see the relevance to the question. Either way, let’s be clear: both Luke and Mark tell

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-70525511977504357602010-03-24T07:37:00.001-04:002010-03-24T07:37:18.906-04:00

There seems to be a few interesting tensions in the Bible between God’s perspective of us and our own perspective about us. And, in some senses, we are both right—if our attitude is couched within the framework of God’s attitude. Let me explain! One example of this is the concept of servanthood. On the one hand, Jesus is clear that He does not view us as His servants. “No longer do I call you

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-48681445761785843762010-03-23T06:34:00.000-04:002010-03-23T06:35:03.841-04:00

If you could be “great” in one area of your life, what area would that be? Would you like to be a great spouse? A great parent? Cook? Artist? Student of the Bible? You get the idea . . . . God is, of course, great in everything He does, but there is one thing that, perhaps, stands above the rest. And Psalm 145—which is a wonderful treasure trove of truth from beginning to end—tells us what that

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-37547106620917699422010-03-22T11:37:00.003-04:002010-03-22T11:42:45.117-04:00

I try not to dabble in politics very much, but when it comes to matters of life and death, I feel a little more impetus to offer my thoughts and, where possible, support. So it is with great conviction that I took the opportunity to sign a letter to the "New Hampshire Death Penalty Study Commission" today as a religious leader in New Hampshire.I am not claiming to know everything about this issue

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-67793658585855978322010-03-22T07:57:00.001-04:002010-03-22T07:57:42.472-04:00

It must have been a lonely existence to be a prophet. It wasn’t necessarily a job that people applied for or coveted. Often times, in fact, they would run the other way and try to resist the call of the Lord (it’s a wonder why there seems to be people today who appear to be all-too-eager to proclaim prophetic utterances against others). Jonah comes to mind, of course, as does Isaiah, who said to

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-42697448447832203082010-03-10T07:07:00.002-05:002010-03-10T07:10:26.216-05:00

It’s funny how you can read something a thousand times and never pause beside its beauty. Such is the case in the Gospel of John, where there is a three-word phrase that I had never noticed before. What is that phrase? “Grace for grace.” This phrase has, no doubt, been overshadowed by a more well-known thought in the passage that comes two verses before it: “And the Word became flesh and

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-26432745001301492962010-03-01T17:02:00.005-05:002010-03-01T17:59:53.084-05:00

As some people may be aware, one of my personal "hobby horses" is to speak out against the "salvation by personal devotions" paradigm that seems to be prevalent within Christianity. This mentality may also be expressed as being "saved" by a "personal relationship" with Jesus.Now, there are a number of reasons why I am troubled by this type of paradigm, but in talking with someone recently, he

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-49143062904111151072010-02-24T07:19:00.000-05:002010-02-24T07:20:08.697-05:00

It is completely delightful to observe Camden’s exploratory mind these days. He is extremely inquisitive and he just wants to touch and feel everything, look in all the cupboards, explore any and everything. He is also at the stage where he is beginning to “walk” (with the help of my two hands, of course), and so this is all he wants to do. He will go from one room to the other, stopping to grab

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-38150863317815357262010-02-22T07:17:00.001-05:002010-02-22T07:17:44.376-05:00

One of the most beautiful words in the English language that shows up in our versions of the Bible is the word, “Let.” And yet, it’s a little bit of an elusive word because it is not really a translation of any particular Greek or Hebrew word. It is a translation of an idea, however. We see it pop up in some key verses that I have always appreciated. Paul, writing to the Philippian believers,

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-11352529173179225142010-02-20T07:51:00.002-05:002010-02-20T07:52:08.144-05:00

Is it possible that there could actually come a time when you and I shout along with David, “I delight to do your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8)? Could it happen? Soon? And we’re not just talking about the Ten Commandments here—at least not in their basic sense. Not murdering, not stealing, not committing adultery—all of these things we are pretty good at, if,

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-63224906384379412092010-02-18T06:57:00.002-05:002010-02-18T06:58:37.724-05:00

Have you ever had someone say just the right thing to you at just the right time? Maybe you were discouraged or sad. Maybe a little frustrated or down on your luck. I had such an experience recently where I was a little discouraged and I happened to be talking to someone on the phone about something else, but he ended up giving me great hope and encouragement. Such an experience is a breath of

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-11203672577880619172010-02-17T07:08:00.002-05:002010-02-18T12:08:26.050-05:00

What may seem like a dry and lifeless biblical prophecy actually thrills the soul. In the heart of the apocalyptic book of Daniel, we read one of the most beautiful predictions and assurances of the Gospel anywhere. “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city,” the angel Gabriel declares to Daniel (9:24), “To finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-83175075060817739212010-02-16T07:08:00.001-05:002010-02-16T07:08:25.911-05:00

One of the most beautiful passages in scripture has to be John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” This text is pregnant with meaning. To begin with, John tells us that that “Word,” which existed from the very beginning, “became flesh and dwelt among us.” The word that is used

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-30423636944213301402010-02-03T07:10:00.000-05:002010-02-03T07:11:08.756-05:00

If we were to be honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that far too often in our lives we are unsatisfied and unfulfilled. We try to fill our lives with things that we think will give us fulfillment and joy—plasma TVs, clothes, more money, relationships. On and on the list goes. And yet, no matter how much we acquire, attain, or pursue, there is still an emptiness that exists.

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-21388244781111656702010-02-01T07:59:00.002-05:002010-02-01T16:29:04.294-05:00

When I was at my parents’ house yesterday, I decided it was time for me to gather some of my belongings from their attic that had been sitting there for many years. I have a bunch of boxes up there from my college and high school days. Unfortunately, I was only able to bring one shoebox home this time because of limited time and space. But as I rummaged through that box last night after I got

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-76955986453119853402010-01-29T07:20:00.001-05:002010-01-29T07:20:19.725-05:00

I was looking at a world map the other day and suddenly something swept through my brain that I had never really thought of before. Do you know what I’m talking about when something suddenly hits you? It almost seems like your brain hurts for a second. It is a weird sensation. But as I looked at that map, I suddenly thought to myself, “Why in the world, of all the places in the world, was I born

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-13450621607804615642010-01-28T07:50:00.000-05:002010-01-28T07:51:09.392-05:00

Are you safe to save? It may sound like a funny question, but it is one that has incredible import. We know, of course, that it is God’s highest desire that “all men” and women might “be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4). But there is also another important objective in Christ’s grand plan of salvation: He wants to restore the universe to complete harmony, security, and safety. Think about it for a

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-77752986892866251382010-01-27T07:18:00.001-05:002010-01-27T07:18:57.166-05:00

One brand of Christian theology proposes that God has elected only a few people to be saved and that it is them for whom He died. Another brand of Christian theology proposes that God wishes that all would be saved but that only those who will ultimately repent are the ones for whom He died. But there is a third way. The third way is that Christ tasted death “for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9) and

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-53094940243719770302010-01-26T09:48:00.015-05:002010-01-26T11:23:36.125-05:00

“With savages, the weak in body or mind are soon eliminated; and those that survive commonly exhibit a vigorous state of health. We civilised men, on the other hand, do our utmost to check the process of elimination; we build asylums for the imbecile, the maimed, and the sick; we institute poor-laws; and our medical men exert their utmost skill to save the life of every one to the last moment. .

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-71457090980136839232010-01-21T06:44:00.002-05:002010-01-21T06:45:11.880-05:00

So here’s a question: is it easier to be saved or to be lost? Well, what doth inspiration say? “Come unto Me,” Christ invites, “all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Or what about this one

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-44350921152449191282010-01-19T07:08:00.001-05:002010-01-19T07:08:54.240-05:00

I came across a quotation this morning from the pen of inspiration that is sobering: “Half-hearted converts abound,” she writes. Whoa! That, in itself, is a mouthful—an idea that cuts to the heart. Perhaps it does not speak to you because you know there is no way that you are a “half-hearted convert.” But I know that it gives me great pause. She then goes on to say in the very next sentence,

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-56137047818609315172010-01-18T07:23:00.000-05:002010-01-18T07:24:04.000-05:00

Sometimes we come across passages in Scripture that are not so pleasant at first glance. They make us feel a little uncomfortable. One such place is in Jeremiah 25 where God instructs the prophet to “take this wine cup of fury from My hand, and cause all the nations to whom I send you to drink it” (Jeremiah 25:15). God then lists off a whole host of nations—Egypt, Edom, Moab, all the nations of

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-88912188763253243202010-01-16T07:02:00.002-05:002010-01-16T07:05:04.020-05:00

Do you need a heart that longs for God—one that knows Him intimately and desires fellowship with Him all the time? Truth be told, most of us do! Unfortunately, in our human nature, we often let things distract us from that goal and we find ourselves, over and over again, beating ourselves up because we didn’t spend our time doing morning devotions or studying our Bibles. But there’s good news

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-35638578049540325822010-01-14T07:14:00.001-05:002010-01-14T07:14:51.244-05:00

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always kind of had the impression that Noah’s motivation and message was that of fear. He lived by fear. He preached a message of fear. He was a “fire and brimstone” kind of guy. After all, the world needed to be warned about the impending doom and destruction that was coming in the flood. There was no time for “warm fuzzies.” There was no “Gospel” mixed in with

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-33145544343166366872010-01-13T07:02:00.002-05:002010-01-13T07:03:07.577-05:00

We could all probably learn a lesson from Jesus as He slept soundly in that boat. It had been a long day and He and the disciples were now crossing the Sea of Galilee, accompanied by a few other boats (see Mark 4:35-41). And, all of a sudden, a great windstorm arose, and waves came beating down upon their boat. It was taking on water. The disciples, frantic, no doubt tried to remedy the

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-8569539503060907002010-01-12T06:52:00.001-05:002010-01-12T06:52:17.408-05:00

Sometimes, the Lord, in His mercy, helps us understand what is truly in our hearts. In fact, He is always trying to make this evident. One such place that this idea comes out is in that classic book, Steps to Christ. I often go back to this quote when I want the Lord to show me where my affections lie. “Who has the heart?” Ellen White wonders, “With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-60358466010911555822009-12-22T07:48:00.000-05:002009-12-22T07:49:02.884-05:00

One of these days I am going to preach a sermon on the subject, but I was alerted to an awesome idea yesterday while listening to a podcast. It was something I kind of already knew, but never before had I actually thought about the implications. And what was the idea? Paul tells us how faith works. Have you ever wondered? Or have you ever struggled to have enough faith? Well, Paul writes,

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-84451986847488112902009-12-18T08:29:00.001-05:002009-12-18T08:29:27.850-05:00

Have you ever made a promise to God that you did not keep? Perhaps you wake up one day and feel overwhelmed with a desire to serve God with your whole heart. So you tell God, “I am going to follow You every moment of my life from here on out.” And then what happens? A few hours later you lose your temper and you find yourself doing the very opposite of what you had promised. Or perhaps you

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-58507252508277141202009-12-16T06:59:00.000-05:002009-12-16T07:00:10.090-05:00

Here’s a question: is Christ the Savior of only those who believe in Him and accept Him as their Savior, or is He everyone’s Savior—regardless of what they believe? I’m sure many of you see this question as a “no brainer,” while others do not see the relevance for it at all. But let’s get it straight, first. According to Paul, Jesus is the “Savior of all men” and women (1 Timothy 4:10). As we

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-63818553812055549602009-12-14T07:56:00.003-05:002009-12-14T07:57:52.191-05:00

Sanctification. Now there’s a word that doesn’t come up in normal-non-religious-conversation every day! And yet, somehow, we have welcomed it into our religious dictionary and we throw it around like everyone should know what it means.But what does it mean—and why should we be so concerned with it? The word “sanctification” or “sanctify” simply means to set apart for holy use. It means that that

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-66546426971052343982009-12-11T06:28:00.002-05:002009-12-11T06:29:21.944-05:00

So whose “job” is it to make sure that you have morning devotions and spend time with the Lord? Yours? Surprisingly, the Bible gives us a different answer.All throughout scripture we find that Christ takes in the initiative in our relationship. This is the very essence of the Gospel. It’s why we celebrate Christmas. Man sinned and Christ, without us even asking Him, came down to earth to pay the

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-16215964158391236162009-12-10T06:38:00.000-05:002009-12-10T06:39:23.144-05:00

If God were in competition with the world’s richest people—Bill Gates, Warren Buffet—it would be no competition at all. That is not a surprise to us. What would come as a surprise to us, however, is how God measures wealth. While the likes of Gates and Buffet (who are, together, worth almost $80 billion—yes, that’s an eight with ten zeros behind it) would, no doubt, measure their wealth in money,

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-84324823687025699232009-12-09T06:21:00.000-05:002009-12-09T06:22:22.415-05:00

Zealousness has gotten a bad “wrap” throughout the ages, it seems to me. We get very uncomfortable when we are around people who are zealous. We think they’re crazy, insane, unreasonable, absentminded, annoying—or whatever other superlative we can come up with that we think somehow justifies our lukewarmness. But the apostle Paul has something interesting thoughts on zeal—and one of those

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-68707020933154249012009-12-08T06:49:00.002-05:002009-12-08T06:49:40.058-05:00

Since this last Sabbath, I have been pondering—off and on—what Jesus really meant when He said, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). What are the exact implications of this idea? The first part of the phrase seems fairly straightforward. The Greek word for “meek” means just that: meek, humble, gentle. But what, exactly, does Jesus mean when He says that he is “lowly in heart”? Nowhere

Shawn Bracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603380405719498288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601946653328882528.post-25166520953176085452009-12-04T06:16:00.002-05:002009-12-04T06:17:52.318-05:00

Yesterday morning, while doing my morning devotions, I set the six-inch ruler that I was using down on the couch. Not a good idea. For some reason, that ruler likes to attract ink from the pen that I use to underline stuff in my Bible, and that fresh ink was then transported to the cushion. This has happened to me before in the past, but nothing to this magnitude. You can imagine my frustration!

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