http://www.dts.edu/podcasts/ en-ushttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssThis work is copyright 2004 by Dallas Theological Seminary and the individual speakers.Tue, 2 Dec 2008 12:00:00 CSTwebmaster@dts.edu (Dallas Theological Seminary)Religionhttp://www.dts.eduhttp://www.dts.edu Dallas Theological Seminary noDallas Theological Seminarywebmaster@dts.edu (Dallas Theological Seminary)This work is copyright 2004 by Dallas Theological Seminary and the individual speakers.Religion & Spirituality/Christianityhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137886/Every Christmas when I was a kid, my little sister Debbie and I would sleep for the last few hours of our 400 mile trip to Grandma’s house. Then, with only a few miles to go, Dad would wake us up and we started scanning the horizon for the lights of Saint Jo, Texas. Because when we saw those lights, it meant Christmas morning was just around the corner. “Then Jesus spoke out again, ‘I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12) This year, may your Christmas sparkle with the true light of life in Jesus Christ.Reg GrantTue, 2 Dec 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligion8ee4ed99-46ce-4136-8bd9-b8e4164e4f5fReg GrantEvery Christmas when I was a kid, my little sister Debbie and I would sleep for the last few hours of our 400 mile trip to Grandma’s house. Then, with only a few miles to go, Dad would wake us up and we started scanning the horizon for the lights of Saint Jo, Texas. Because when we saw those lights, it meant Christmas morning was just around the corner. “Then Jesus spoke out again, ‘I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12) This year, may your Christmas sparkle with the true light of life in Jesus Christ.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=8ee4ed99-46ce-4136-8bd9-b8e4164e4f5f&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/12-02_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137887/Peter Pan grew up to become a corporate shark – at least in the movie. Wendy, noting his changed character, remarks sardonically, “Why Peter, you’ve become a pirate!” It’s Christmas, when we should be the most childlike and full of wonder, and yet we find ourselves rushing about, consumed with consuming, with digging up the hidden gold. “But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been raised! He is not here. Look, there is the place where they laid him.’” (Mark 16:6) The real Christmas treasure didn’t stay buried. Reg GrantMon, 1 Dec 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligionfe03365b-ca4f-4a00-bc36-449f41507abcReg GrantPeter Pan grew up to become a corporate shark – at least in the movie. Wendy, noting his changed character, remarks sardonically, “Why Peter, you’ve become a pirate!” It’s Christmas, when we should be the most childlike and full of wonder, and yet we find ourselves rushing about, consumed with consuming, with digging up the hidden gold. “But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been raised! He is not here. Look, there is the place where they laid him.’” (Mark 16:6) The real Christmas treasure didn’t stay buried.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=fe03365b-ca4f-4a00-bc36-449f41507abc&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/12-01_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137888/In the song “Slip Sliding Away” Paul Simon tells about a divorced dad who has finally worked up the courage to try to explain things to his young son. “I knew a father who had a son. He longed to tell him all the reasons for the things he’d done. He came a long way just to explain. He kissed his boy as he lay sleeping then he turned around and headed home again. He’s slip sliding away.” Luke 1:17a – “And [John] will go as forerunner before the Lord …, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children ….” Ask the Lord to help you start building that bridge back to your kids today. Reg GrantSun, 30 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligionb9b8f4fe-8103-4387-81ef-2cdf508b9502Reg GrantIn the song “Slip Sliding Away” Paul Simon tells about a divorced dad who has finally worked up the courage to try to explain things to his young son. “I knew a father who had a son. He longed to tell him all the reasons for the things he’d done. He came a long way just to explain. He kissed his boy as he lay sleeping then he turned around and headed home again. He’s slip sliding away.” Luke 1:17a – “And [John] will go as forerunner before the Lord …, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children ….” Ask the Lord to help you start building that bridge back to your kids today.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=b9b8f4fe-8103-4387-81ef-2cdf508b9502&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-30_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137889/When Mom was just a few days old, Grandpa nicknamed her “Happy” because she was already laughing. I visited her grave the other day and noted that “Happy” was inscribed after her given name. The Lord’s going to give us all a new name someday, a nickname I think, just between him and us. I like to imagine that Mom just got hers a little early. “To the one who conquers, I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it.” (Rev. 2:17 b, c) Pray that the Lord will help you live up to your new name here and now.Reg GrantSat, 29 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligion7a3ff8e8-0be9-4767-a07f-f00aae5814ecReg GrantWhen Mom was just a few days old, Grandpa nicknamed her “Happy” because she was already laughing. I visited her grave the other day and noted that “Happy” was inscribed after her given name. The Lord’s going to give us all a new name someday, a nickname I think, just between him and us. I like to imagine that Mom just got hers a little early. “To the one who conquers, I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it.” (Rev. 2:17 b, c) Pray that the Lord will help you live up to your new name here and now.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=7a3ff8e8-0be9-4767-a07f-f00aae5814ec&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-29_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137890/Christopher Reeve played Superman in the movies. Sad to say, he passed away not long ago, following a 1994 spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. How ironic that the man of steel, the one who could leap tall buildings at a single bound on screen would die from a fall of fewer than eight feet. We are all so fragile. And like a good friend of mine says, “We’re all terminal. It’s just a matter of how long we’ve got.” Ps. 144:4: “People are like a vapor, their days like a shadow that disappears.” Thank the Lord for today. It’s a gift. Make it count for the Him.Reg GrantFri, 28 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligionf356c7c8-6a7b-4df3-8edf-c48f21668baaReg GrantChristopher Reeve played Superman in the movies. Sad to say, he passed away not long ago, following a 1994 spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. How ironic that the man of steel, the one who could leap tall buildings at a single bound on screen would die from a fall of fewer than eight feet. We are all so fragile. And like a good friend of mine says, “We’re all terminal. It’s just a matter of how long we’ve got.” Ps. 144:4: “People are like a vapor, their days like a shadow that disappears.” Thank the Lord for today. It’s a gift. Make it count for the Him.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=f356c7c8-6a7b-4df3-8edf-c48f21668baa&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-28_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137891/A friend in seminary told me once that he could never cheat on his wife, ever. Guess what? He hasn’t. Still, it scares me to say “I could never,” because we have no idea what we are capable of apart from God’s protecting influence. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.’ You ought to say instead, ‘If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.’ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13-16) Pray for strength to resist evil. Never assume it.Reg GrantThu, 27 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligion0882c853-790f-47ab-998a-cf6e3d17983aReg GrantA friend in seminary told me once that he could never cheat on his wife, ever. Guess what? He hasn’t. Still, it scares me to say “I could never,” because we have no idea what we are capable of apart from God’s protecting influence. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.’ You ought to say instead, ‘If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.’ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13-16) Pray for strength to resist evil. Never assume it.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=0882c853-790f-47ab-998a-cf6e3d17983a&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-27_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137893/I used to have bad dreams about losing my kids. We would be at a soccer game, and I would see some man walking away holding my little girl’s hand. And there was nothing I could do. My wife suggested I finish the dream differently while awake, and ask the Lord to give me peace. I did, and never had that nightmare again. “When you lie down you will not be filled with fear, and when you lie down your sleep will be pleasant. For the LORD will be the source of your confidence, and he will guard your foot from being ensnared.” (Prov. 3:24, 26) Commit your dreams to the Lord, and sleep in peace.Reg GrantWed, 26 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligion67222b2b-29e3-4979-845c-6265c97e6eadReg GrantI used to have bad dreams about losing my kids. We would be at a soccer game, and I would see some man walking away holding my little girl’s hand. And there was nothing I could do. My wife suggested I finish the dream differently while awake, and ask the Lord to give me peace. I did, and never had that nightmare again. “When you lie down you will not be filled with fear, and when you lie down your sleep will be pleasant. For the LORD will be the source of your confidence, and he will guard your foot from being ensnared.” (Prov. 3:24, 26) Commit your dreams to the Lord, and sleep in peace.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=67222b2b-29e3-4979-845c-6265c97e6ead&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-26_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137894/I hope by the time you hear this that I can give thanks that my oldest son is walking in fellowship with the Lord. That isn’t the case right now. I know many of you have kids that are wandering spiritually, for as many reasons as there are kids. But God loves them even more than we do. Our hope, our confidence is that He will bring them home – home to him, and home to us - soon. And what a Thanksgiving day that will be. “The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly; whoever fathers a wise child will have joy in him.” (Prov. 23:24) Let’s pray for each others’ kids today. Pray hard. Reg GrantTue, 25 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligionb2e30511-4671-4b8f-a895-1e98f21b3be1Reg GrantI hope by the time you hear this that I can give thanks that my oldest son is walking in fellowship with the Lord. That isn’t the case right now. I know many of you have kids that are wandering spiritually, for as many reasons as there are kids. But God loves them even more than we do. Our hope, our confidence is that He will bring them home – home to him, and home to us - soon. And what a Thanksgiving day that will be. “The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly; whoever fathers a wise child will have joy in him.” (Prov. 23:24) Let’s pray for each others’ kids today. Pray hard.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=b2e30511-4671-4b8f-a895-1e98f21b3be1&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-25_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137895/I’m writing this a little over a week before the presidential election, so I don’t know who won. But whoever won needs our prayers, and the Lord has given us our marching orders regarding our attitude toward those in authority over us. “For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves. Honor all people, love your brothers and sisters, fear God, honor the king.” (1Pet. 2:15-17) It’s easier to honor someone if you are praying for him. Pray for our president today. Reg GrantMon, 24 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligionf4d8c1ed-c342-42b0-b075-a70aed2ca0f5Reg GrantI’m writing this a little over a week before the presidential election, so I don’t know who won. But whoever won needs our prayers, and the Lord has given us our marching orders regarding our attitude toward those in authority over us. “For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves. Honor all people, love your brothers and sisters, fear God, honor the king.” (1Pet. 2:15-17) It’s easier to honor someone if you are praying for him. Pray for our president today.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=f4d8c1ed-c342-42b0-b075-a70aed2ca0f5&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-24_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137896/True character comes out in crisis, when all you can do is respond. The Lord Jesus was so thoroughly immersed in the character of God the Father that he stood fast in the greatest crisis of his life just before His death. He was given a chance to cut and run, to avoid the cross, but Jesus stood firm, his divine character immovable. “Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” (Matt. 26:39) Want to be ready when hard times hit? Obey Christ today. Reg GrantSun, 23 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligion49d5d866-db32-49de-abe2-3a73b99050ceReg GrantTrue character comes out in crisis, when all you can do is respond. The Lord Jesus was so thoroughly immersed in the character of God the Father that he stood fast in the greatest crisis of his life just before His death. He was given a chance to cut and run, to avoid the cross, but Jesus stood firm, his divine character immovable. “Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” (Matt. 26:39) Want to be ready when hard times hit? Obey Christ today.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=49d5d866-db32-49de-abe2-3a73b99050ce&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-23_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137897/Most artists value originality. But C. S. Lewis, certainly one of the most creative minds of the 20th century said, “No man who values originality will ever be original.” I think he meant that we humans, while creative, are incapable of originating anything apart from the Lord. The Lord Jesus himself depended on God the Father for even the most ordinary activities – like speaking. “For I have not spoken from my own authority, but the Father himself who sent me has commanded me what I should say and what I should speak.” (John 12:49) Ask the Lord to guide you in your speech today.Reg GrantSat, 22 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligion02edf01a-133b-4dee-8aaa-d9647b1259cfReg GrantMost artists value originality. But C. S. Lewis, certainly one of the most creative minds of the 20th century said, “No man who values originality will ever be original.” I think he meant that we humans, while creative, are incapable of originating anything apart from the Lord. The Lord Jesus himself depended on God the Father for even the most ordinary activities – like speaking. “For I have not spoken from my own authority, but the Father himself who sent me has commanded me what I should say and what I should speak.” (John 12:49) Ask the Lord to guide you in your speech today.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=02edf01a-133b-4dee-8aaa-d9647b1259cf&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-22_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137898/One of my early goals as an actor was to be original in my characterizations. But I was wrong to want something that only belongs to God. The Lord Jesus provides the example for us. In John 5:19, Jesus answered the Jewish authorities who were charging Him with blasphemy, challenging his claim to equality with God. He said, “I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.” Even Jesus could do nothing apart from the Father. Ask Him today to help you follow his example.Reg GrantFri, 21 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligion497d903b-6e2f-4eba-ad8a-4bb2e1d18f27Reg GrantOne of my early goals as an actor was to be original in my characterizations. But I was wrong to want something that only belongs to God. The Lord Jesus provides the example for us. In John 5:19, Jesus answered the Jewish authorities who were charging Him with blasphemy, challenging his claim to equality with God. He said, “I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.” Even Jesus could do nothing apart from the Father. Ask Him today to help you follow his example.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=497d903b-6e2f-4eba-ad8a-4bb2e1d18f27&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-21_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/195137899/The great Russian director, Stanislavski, insisted that his acting students immerse themselves in their characters so that, when presented to the public, their performance would be true to the character in every respect. The Lord Jesus was so perfectly immersed in the character of God the Father that, when Philip asked Jesus to reveal the father to them in John 14:9, Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father!” If you want to show Jesus to the world, immerse yourself in his character.Reg GrantThu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligionfd28ca43-b469-49a7-ae0a-d93ccc58fb57Reg GrantThe great Russian director, Stanislavski, insisted that his acting students immerse themselves in their characters so that, when presented to the public, their performance would be true to the character in every respect. The Lord Jesus was so perfectly immersed in the character of God the Father that, when Philip asked Jesus to reveal the father to them in John 14:9, Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father!” If you want to show Jesus to the world, immerse yourself in his character.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=fd28ca43-b469-49a7-ae0a-d93ccc58fb57&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-20_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/458040531/I had been going the posted thirty when I saw the fifty-five speed limit sign only fifty yards ahead. I sped up and immediately saw flashing red lights in my mirror. My conscience crucified me. H. L. Menken, the great writer, said, “Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking.” Rom. 13:4 – “for [the governing authority] is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. I t is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.” Listen to your conscience. It’s better than any fuzz buster out there. Reg GrantWed, 19 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligion388c2f82-c02f-4b6e-8146-b0a33b0513f1Reg GrantI had been going the posted thirty when I saw the fifty-five speed limit sign only fifty yards ahead. I sped up and immediately saw flashing red lights in my mirror. My conscience crucified me. H. L. Menken, the great writer, said, “Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking.” Rom. 13:4 – “for [the governing authority] is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. I t is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.” Listen to your conscience. It’s better than any fuzz buster out there.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=388c2f82-c02f-4b6e-8146-b0a33b0513f1&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-19_rss.mp3http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DtsDevotional/~3/456823836/In 1569, Anabaptist Dirck Willems was running for his life across a frozen lake. When his pursuer broke through the ice, Willems went back to save him. He was captured, and burned at the stake. “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:6-8). The hand you extend to help an enemy may get bitten. But that’s the cost of love.Reg GrantTue, 18 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CSTReligion9b7fd4e4-b207-4eee-8dc3-322d2a307a90Reg GrantIn 1569, Anabaptist Dirck Willems was running for his life across a frozen lake. When his pursuer broke through the ice, Willems went back to save him. He was captured, and burned at the stake. “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:6-8). The hand you extend to help an enemy may get bitten. But that’s the cost of love.00:01:00noReligionhttp://www.dts.edu/media/play/?MediaItemID=9b7fd4e4-b207-4eee-8dc3-322d2a307a90&audio=truehttp://www.dts.edu/download/media/11-18_rss.mp3Dallas Theological Seminarynonadult