warren mortomore

Husband of Judith, father to Joel & Anne, Brittany & Jiarn, Ethan & Steph. Grandpa to Jack, Jed, Eli & Mia. Making a difference for Jesus Christ

[Lindsey Goetz @lins_goetz]

A few weeks ago, I asked the kids at my church, "how does God speak to us?"
I was meaning what are some of the ways he speaks to us, but a dear five year old raised her hand and said, "always kindly."
Completely caught me off guard. Tears. Immediately.

[Newtown Jets @newtownrlfc]

Who would want to play in Vegas when you could play at sunny Henson Park instead?!

Viva Las Marrickville! #WeAre8972

[Chad Bird @birdchadlouis]

Rooftops, Sex, and Political Power Plays

Flat-roofed homes were the norm in ancient Israel, which made them multipurpose spaces. Rahab hid spies under stalks of flax on the roof (Josh. 2:6). People slept on roofs and idolatrous worship sometimes took place there (1 Sam. 9:25; Zeph. 1:5).

David ogled Bathsheba from his roof (2 Sam. 11:2), which led to the ensuing string of infamous, horrific events. Later, Nathan told David that one from his own household would lie with his wives "in the sight of the sun," so what David did secretly, this one would do "before all Israel and before the sun" (12:11f).

Absalom, David's renegade son, did just that when he launched a coup against his father years later. Under a tent pitched on the roof, Absalom "went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel" (16:22).

Why would he do this? It was the fulfillment of divine justice, of course, but that's not why Absalom did it. Nor was it mad lust. I don't care what kind of sexual athlete Absalom might be, there are ten concubines, he's one man, and you can do the coital math.

No, this was an ancient, calculated, political power play.

It wasn't the first and it wouldn't be the last. Reuben (Jacob's firstborn) slept with his father's concubine Bilhah (Gen. 35:22), likely as a kind of family coup, to seize the right to be clan head. Absalom is publicly saying, "I am king now. Get used to it." And later, David's other son, Adonijah, tries to marry his father's erstwhile bed-warmer, Abishag, to show that he is the true heir to the throne, not Solomon (1 Kings 2:17).

And who counseled Absalom to do this? Ahithophel, who was, in all likelihood, Bathsheba's grandfather! 1 Chronicles 3:5 says Bathshua (=Bathsheba) was the daughter of Ammiel. This Ammiel may be the same person called Eliam in 2 Sam. 23:34, who is said to be the son of Ahithophel. If so, then Ahithophel was the father of Ammiel/Eliam, who in turn was the father of Bathsheba.

This would therefore mean that the man whose granddaughter was ogled by David from his rooftop, now counsels David's son to transform that rooftop into the scene of grandfatherly revenge.

If you're a listener to "40 Minutes in the Old Testament," you know that we covered this whole sad, messy story in the podcast a couple of years ago. What I keep coming back to is this: here is a dysfunctional family, with all manner of meanness and idiocy and lies and sexual immorality taking place, YET behind the scenes is the God who makes gold out of grunge, salvation out of sordidness.

It's no surprise, therefore, when God takes all the horror and betrayal and bloodshed that happened in Jerusalem, during Passover week, 2000 years ago, and makes of it salvation and forgiveness for the world.

He's precisely the kind of God who does that.

[warren mortomore @warrenmortomore]

@birdchadlouis Thank you

[Chad Bird @birdchadlouis]

In choosing Jacob, Christ wanted to make it patently clear that being his follower is not about climbing a ladder of spiritual success but being greeted by mercy at the bottom of the ladder by the Lord who climbs down to us.

-Limping with God: Jacob and the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship

[Chad Bird @birdchadlouis]

Let us thank God for all the ordinary Christians who daily love their neighbors and live by faith in the resurrected Christ.

They are the secret and sacred agents in the kingdom of God. The world will never know them, and it’s much better that way.

They work openly, yet in secret, in small acts of self-sacrifice that subvert the reigning egocentric ethos of a world saturated with emotion and dry of truth.

They consider others more important than themselves. They make it their ambition to lead quiet lives. And they raise their children to believe a life well lived is in the pursuit of serving others.

They daily pray, confess their sins, and cast themselves upon the mercy of Christ. He forgives and raises them up to forgive others, to show mercy, to speak the truth in love.

No one will reward them or applaud them. Nor do they seek such recognition. They are simply living as a children of God, content with his approval in Christ.

Their lives are an ongoing doxology whispered in holy anonymity while passing through this dying world on the way to resurrection.

[Susie Larson @SusieLarson]

Declare: I am deeply loved, divinely appointed, abundantly equipped, and profoundly cherished by God. No enemy plan, scheme, or obstacle can keep me from God's highest and best will for me. I am a living-breathing miracle because Jesus Christ lives in me! Amen.

[Andrew Kubala @andrewkubala]

Thankful for those who fought and for those who continue to fight for our freedom! May we never forget the price for freedom!

[T.D. Jakes @BishopJakes]

Dr. Charles Stanley, an avid teacher of the faith who served at @FirstBaptistATL for 51 years, died today. He was 90 years old. Without question, there are people waiting for him in heaven who are there because of his ministry! Join me in condolences to all those who mourn.

[Glenn Burris @glennburrisjr]

Sad to hear of the passing of Dr. Charles Stanley today, former pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, age 90. Dr. Stanley is the father of Pastor Andy Stanley, of Northpoint Church. A strong Bible teacher, he had an influential ministry in Atlanta and beyond.

[Rich Villodas @richvillodas]

When I became a follower of Jesus in 1999, I recorded Dr. Stanley’s sermon EVERY morning on cassette and listened a second time at my job. I regarded him as one of my early pastors.

🙏🏽

[In Touch Ministries @InTouchMin]

In Touch Family, this morning, God called our beloved pastor, Dr. Charles Stanley, home to heaven. Dr. Stanley lived a life of obedience and is now receiving the joy of his soul—seeing his Savior face-to-face. Please join us in praying for the Stanley family.

[warren mortomore @warrenmortomore]

@malachiobrien Thank you been through it all

[Eric Hoke @erichoke]

Celebrity pastors are cool but have you ever met a small town preacher who has faithfully served their not so glamorous community for 40 years and no one ever heard of them? Those people are the real heroes.

[DallasAWillard @DallasAWillard]

Humility is always in order. #DallasWillard #HearingGod #pray #listen #humble #God #Bible #spiritual #truth #formation #discipleship #christianquotes

[warren mortomore @warrenmortomore]

Just posted a photo @ HopePoint Church https://t.co/1VFCFB16kv

[warren mortomore @warrenmortomore]

Thankful for the nation we call home. #australiaday2023 @ Coolum Beach, Queensland https://t.co/CU7waNfH7Y

[Scott Sauls @scottsauls]

A prayer for leaders heading into a new year:
.
Heavenly Father,
Please give me character
that exceeds my gifts,
and humility that exceeds my influence.

[Glenn Mitchell @MitchellGlenn]

Eight years ago today we lost Phillip Hughes. I was very privileged to witness him become the youngest batter to score twin tons in a Test at Durban in 2009. A universally loved man taken way too soon 🏏😢

[warren mortomore @warrenmortomore]

Just posted a photo @ Toronto, New South Wales, Australia https://t.co/OYNewq7PZE