CatHouse Chat

For your Fourth of July meditaion, the National Hymn "God of Our Fathers"

"God of Our Fathers" was written by Daniel C. Roberts in 1876 (one would assume for our Centennial) and set to music already composed by George William Warren. The CompleteLee Blog has a little Bible study, and goes a little deeper into the history of the song. More information can be found here, here and here.

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand,
Lead forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor thro' the skies,
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

And how ungrateful we have become, to turn away from the One True God who brought this country into being. How sad that the songs lifted up in faith and praise to Divine Providence have faded into a background murmur! How foolish we have become, to deny His presence and power, which are proclaimed throughout Creation!

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast;
Be thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay,
Thy word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

Father, we have turned astray from the faith and love that built this nation under Your guidance. We reject Your good law and immerse ourselves in sin and unrighteousness, we kill our own children for convenience's sake and praise vain and selfish people rather than simple, honest and good citizens. Father, lay Your hand upon this nation once again to turn us back to You in faith, trust and obedience!

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever strong defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Only God can bring peace, and where the Spirit of God is, there is true liberty. It is the freedom to act with dignity and self-control, simply and humbly living for others according to God's will. It is the peace which passes all understanding, with which we can face the greatest bounty and the sorrows of war with hope and confidence, keeping our eye on the God who holds all history in His hand.

Refresh thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

Return, O Lord! Return to us and turn our hearts to You! Renew within us a right spirit, renew our minds with the washing of Your grace and Your word! Take away our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh that love Your commands and long to obey them! Make us into a people of praise, living Your precepts, worshiping You in spirit and in truth. Let Your work in this nation and in our hearts and lives be proclaimed to the glory of Your name throughout the world!

And though I despise the heresy of their church, you can't deny the beauty of the voices of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir:

Morning thoughts from Calvin's Institutes

I've just started reading Institutes of the Christian Religion, and it is slow going. It takes a lot of thought because I really want to understand it as well as remember it.

This is the passage which really came to my attention this morning; it's from Book One, chapter 2 "What it is to know God - tendency of this knowledge" (I've made some small changes in the text to make things a wee bit more clear) -

For, first of all, the pious mind does not devise for itself any kind of god, but looks alone to the one true God; nor does it feign for Him any character it pleases, but is contented to have Him in the character in which He manifests Himself, always guarding, with the utmost diligence, against transgressing His will, and wandering, with daring presumption, from the right path.

He by whom God is thus known, perceiving how He governs all things, confided in Him as his guardian and protector, and casts himself entirely upon [God's] faithfulness - perceiving Him to be the source of every blessing, if he is in any strait or feels any want, he instantly recurs to His protection and trusts to His aid - persuaded that [God] is good and merciful, he reclines upon Him with sure confidence, and doubts not that, in the divine clemency, a remedy will be provided for his every time of need - acknowledging Him as his Father and his Lord, he considers himself bound to have respect to His authority in all things, to reverence His majesty, aim at the advancement of His glory, and obey His commands - regarding [God] as a just judge, armed with severity to punish crimes, he keeps the judgment seat always in his view. Standing in awe of it, he curbs himself, and fears to provoke [God's] anger.

The whole point of this section seems to me to be that, the better one knows God - the real and only God - as He has revealed Himself to us in Scripture and the created world, the more one desires to be more like Him. The better I know God, the more I understand His will for me to be holy and righteous like Him. The better I know my Bible, the better I know God, and the better I know HOW God wants me to act, think and worship.

I think a selection from Psalm 25 would be suitable to wrap this up:

Good and upright is the LORD;
   therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
   and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
   for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

For your name’s sake, O LORD,
   pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Who is the man who fears the LORD?
   Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
His soul shall abide in well-being,
   and his offspring shall inherit the land.
The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
   and he makes known to them his covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
   for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

The Sunday Gospel

I've gotta get this out... This is a "reprint," so to speak, of my response to a discussion I've been having with friends. We started with the topic of church discipline, and I had to say some very... hard things. So, below the fold is my response to these dear friends:

Conviction - it ain't fun, but it is proof of the love of God

I just don't know why these verses have just kept coming up, over and over, in my life the past couple of weeks. (Well... Yes, I do know why they keep coming up: God is obviously trying to hammer something into my thick brain!)

But about the time I posted this, someone on my RSS feeds had a post about 2 Timothy 2:24-26, which hadn't really come to my attention before, even though I'm sure I must have read it -

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

I don't remember who it was, and I don't think I'm even going to try and track them down, but those verses really smacked me in the face. I don't generally like to get really down-and-dirty combative - but I have. I do enjoy snark a bit more than is really healthy...

And one verse which I DO know and have even pulled out recently in an argument over which words did and didn't fall under swearing, and whether Christians should use them or not:

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Not, "let only a little corrupting talk," not "let some corrupting talk," but "let NO corrupting talk" come out of our mouths. Add to this the command in 2 Tim. 2, that I musn't be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone. Not only that, but I must patiently endure evil, and I must correct my foes gently...

 Ow.

I mean, really - OW!

I believe that I've got a bit of prayerful repentance to do... AND I've got to figure out how to hold the line in critical areas without bitterness, rancor, and snark...

Never mind "a bit" of prayerful repentance... I've got a LOT of it to do...

Oh, what a beautiful morning!

Open to me the gates of righteousness,
   that I may enter through them
   and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD;
    the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
    and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
   has become the cornerstone.
This is the LORD’s doing;
   it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the LORD has made;
   let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:19-24, ESV)

Yesterday we got a lot of (much needed) rain, and this morning the air is crisp and clear like fine crystal. The rising sun coaxed mist from the damp ground and gilded the trees with a soft glory. Birds are singing, a light breeze stirs the air, and God is on His throne!

Biblical note from today's Tabletalk devotional

This year, Tabletalk's focus has been on the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul, and today we really begin to get into 1 Timothy. Paul opens with his usual style of greeting, and then immediately tells Timothy

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.

This morning's devotion ends with a striking paragraph, which bears considerable thought:

Even Christians in our day can get lost in conjectures that offer no real benefit to the church at large. Speculations about the present identity of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 39:1-6; Rev. 20:7-10), America's place in biblical prophecy, and the like, while not heretical in themselves, usually contribute little in the way of edification to the bride of Christ. Let us take care that we not get absorbed in uncertainties, let alone break fellowship over secondary issues.

Indeed, this is an admonishment that Christians truly need to take to heart! Too often I have seen rather intense and angry discussions on pre- or post-Tribulation Rapture, for instance, which do not point to the true subject: Jesus.

It's interesting that this comes up today, because on the way home from church yesterday, the Munchkin expressed a desire to study the book of Revelation. Since we (of course!) had our Bibles with us, I asked her to turn to Revelation and read the first three verses -

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

First of all, note that this book of prophecy is, first and foremost, the revelation of Jesus Christ! All prophecy points, ultimately, to Jesus. In that sense, the whole Bible is prophecy, even when the literary style is not the prophetic (as in "future-telling") genre. Therefore, the primary purpose of prophecy is NOT to satisfy our desire to know the future, but to reveal the perfection and glory of our God and Savior.

Never forget that

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

And this verse from Deuteronomy brings us to the second purpose of prophecy: our obedience. Look at the last sentence:

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. [emph. mine]

Doesn't that go right along with "... that we may do all the words of the law"?

Thus, the second purpose of prophecy is to make us consider, "If this is what is to come, how should I NOW live?"

Knowing that Christ will return to judge the world, how should His disciples live? Will Jesus return and find us living holy lives of humility and repentance? Will He find us diligent and faithful in our vocations? Will He return and find us living lives worthy of His commendation?

God's desire for His children is for us to be conformed to the image of His Son. He wants us to be sanctified and holy.

In light of these two purposes of prophecy, should we not, as Christian brothers and sisters, discuss nonessential doctrines with love and grace rather than anger? Pre- and post-Tribulation eschatology is interesting to discuss, but we shouldn't allow ourselves to disfellowship over a difference of opinion! Therefore, let us remember Christian liberty, and die only on those doctrinal hills we MUST defend at all costs.

Proper biblical exegesis is important, yes, and certainly one or both views could be wrong, yes; but the critical things to remember are: all prophecy reveals Jesus, and all prophecy should stir us to live lives of faithful and humble discipleship for the love of Christ which has been shed abroad in our hearts.

Waking up to songs from KLOVE

You paint the night
You count the stars and call them by name
The skies proclaim
God You reign
Your glory shines
You teach the sun when to bring a new day
Creation sings
God You reign

God You reign
God You reign
Forever and ever
God You reign

You part the seas
You move the mountains with the words that You say
My song remains
God You reign
You hold my life
You know my heart and You call me by name
I live to say God You reign

Hallelujah, hallelu

God You reign
God You reign
Forever and ever
God You reign!

-- Lincoln Brewster

God reigns over the nations;
   God sits on his holy throne. (Psalm 47:8)

The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!
   He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! (Psalm 99:1)

The LORD will reign forever,
   your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD! (Psalm 146:10)

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

   "Hallelujah!For the Lord our God
   the Almighty reigns. (Revelation 19:6)

Faith plus nothing - or, "Picking a fight on a Sunday"

Well, not a fight, exactly, but rather a re-visitation of ("to"?) a topic some friends and I were discussing on New Year's Day. I didn't post anything about it here - it was all on the e-mail list - but it's been bugging me for the past couple of months.

Anyway, we basically refought the Reformation, and one of my buddies pulled out a verse to use as support of "faith PLUS works." Philippians 2:12b -

...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

Thing is, my mind wasn't in the right place when we were discussing this, because I forgot about that old saw "Text, without context, is pretext." After all, Philippians 2:13 continues

...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. [emph. mine]

Certainly, I will agree that works of Christian faith are important -after all, God has prepared good works for us to do from before the foundations of the earth:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

But our works cannot save us, for they are all tainted by sin. Only the works that we do through faith in Christ, in worship of and obedience to Him who loved us and gave Himself for us, are considered worthy offerings to God. And, as I said, those works have nothing to do with gaining our salvation - they only display the proof of it to an unbelieving world.

Salvation is of God alone, through faith alone, in the finished and perfect work of Christ alone.

God has taken dead men (yeah, yeah, and women and children, too), and He has made us alive in Christ. He has taken us  out of the kingdom of sin and darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son. It is He who has predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son, and He who will complete that work.

Yes, as children of the Most High, our lives are to reflect and display the glory and perfection of our Father. We are to take up our cross and follow Him as diligent and faithful disciples. We are to be witnesses to His power and forgiveness. We are called to proclaim His grace and mercy through how we live our lives...

But that is the outworking of the salvation He has given us, and the natural consequence of His power and will working through us. It is not anything we are doing of ourselves to gain or retain the gift of lovingkindness by which He has given us life.

Therefore, because it is God who works in us and through us, and because salvation is of God alone... Therefore we can proclaim, "To God alone be the glory!"

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

So, that's my little Sunday Smackdown. Go check out the linked verses - and their context - and give praise to God Most High for His wonderful, awesome love and kindness to dead sinners!

Yes, I'm still here!

I'm down in Florida right now; Mom had her first cataract surgery tomorrow morning, and wanted me to be here to manage things while she's not up to par (boy, I've really hoodwinked her, don'tchathink? LOL).

Anyway, I've continued my reading of J.I. Packer's Knowing God, and the eighteenth chapter, "the Heart of the Gospel," is just ripping me to shreds! Wow. Wow, wow, wow, WOW!!!!

[God's Anger] is not the capricious, arbitrary, bad-tempered and conceited anger which pagans attribute to their gods. It is not the sinful, resentful, malicious, infantile anger which we find among humans. It is a function of that holiness which is expressed in the demands of God's moral law ("Be holy, because I am holy" 1 Peter 1:16), and of that righteousness which is expressed in God's acts of justice and reward. [...]

God's wrath is "the holy revulsion of God's being against that which is the contradiction of his holiness" (John Murray, Epistle to the Romans). And this is righteous anger - the right reaction of moral perfection in the Creator toward moral perversity in the creature. So far from the manifestation of God's wrath in punishing sin being morally doubtful, the thing that would be morally doubtful would be for him not to show his wrath in this way. God is not just - that is, he does not act in the way that is right, he does not do what is proper to a judge - unless he inflicts upon all sin and wrongdoing the penalty it deserves. [...]

God propitiates his wrath by his own action. He set forth Jesus Christ, says Paul, to be a propitiation; he sent his Son, says John, to be the propitiation for our sins. It was not man, to whom God was hostile, who took the initiative to make God friendly, nor was it Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son, who took the initiative to turn his Father's wrath against us into love. ... [I]t was God himself who took the initiative in quenching his own wrath against those whom, despite their ill-desert, he loved and had chosen to save. [...]

Nor was this done as God's acknowledgment of some real devotion on our part; not at all. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that" - in a situation where we did not love him, and there was nothing about us to move him to do anything other than blast and blight us for our ingrained irreligion - "he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." [...]

The basic description of the saving death of Christ in the Bible, is as a propitiation, that is, as that which quenched God's wrath against us by obliterating our sins from his sight. God's wrath is his righteousness reacting against unrighteousness; it shows itself in retributive justice. But Jesus Christ has shielded us from the nightmare prospect of retributive justice by becoming our representative substitute, in obedience to his Father's will, and receiving the wages of sin in our place.

By this means justice has been done, for the sins of all that will ever be pardoned were judged and punished in the person of God the Son, and it is on this basis that pardon is now offered to us offenders.

Wow.

I am going to have to re-read this chapter several times! It really illuminates large portions of the book of Romans to me - a book I thought I knew pretty well. But no, it looks like there are whole new oceans of meaning and richness I can look forward to!

The Triumphant Resurrection!

(You may want to play this: Charles Westley's magnificent hymn, "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today." This recording is available for download at Amazon for only 99¢! Lyrics are at the bottom of the post.)

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. (Matthew 28:1-8, ESV)

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"—and that he had said these things to her.

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:1-29, ESV)

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia! 

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection day, Alleluia!

HE IS RISEN!!!
HE IS RISEN, INDEED!

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

... by Stuart Townend, is a "modern" hymn which well deserves a place in the canon of true anthems of the Church. I label it "modern" only because Mr. Townend is alive and has penned it within the past 50 (actually, I think it's less than 5 years old...) years. It is a sad thing that the present day Church, at least in America, appears to have turned to "praise choruses," and set aside the classic hymns which are so rich in good theology and true adoration of our glorious God and Savior.

Mr. Townend tells a little bit of the story behind the hymn:

I'd been meditating on the cross, and in particular what it cost the Father to give up his beloved Son to a torturous death on a cross. And what was my part in it? Not only was it my sin that put him there, but if I'd lived at that time, it would probably have been me in that crowd, shouting with everyone else 'crucify him'. It just makes his sacrifice all the more personal, all the more amazing, and all the more humbling.

Amen!

At any rate, on Good Friday, my iPod gave me Fernando Ortega's recording of this song, and it brought me to my knees in repentance and gratitude for all that my Savior has done for me. As the quote from John Newton (who penned "Amazing Grace," one of the great anthems of Christianity) says, "... I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."

And I, too, am a great sinner. It is only by the grace of God Most High that I am able to make any small gesture of faith and love to His glory. I thank Him and praise Him for the mercy and kindness He has poured into my life, because I know I do not deserve them!

So, in hopes that the lyrics will encourage and edify you as well, here they are:

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Indeed and AMEN! Thank You, Jesus, my beloved Savior. Thank You for choosing the Cross, and thank You for claiming me!

DO YOU KNOW HIM?????

That's My King! from Albert Martin on Vimeo.

That's my King!

Praise be to God Almighty, who has blessed us beyond imagination with His love and mercy. All honor and glory and power and strength and praise be unto Him! All nations will bow before Him, and all tongues will confess the Son to the glory of the Father!

Worthy are You, O LORD, of all our awe and worship, for You have removed us from the kingdom of darkness and transfered us to the Kingdom of Your Son. You have redeemed us from our sin, and cast it as far away as the east is from the west. You have clothed us with Your perfect righteousness, and in Your mercy have covered us with Your holiness.

Blessed are You, O LORD, for You have chosen us from before the foundations of the world for Your good pleasure. All our righteousness is as filthy rags, and yet You have chosen us as a kingdom and as priest to our Almighty God!

All praise to Jesus the Christ, King of kings, and Lord of lords!

(H/T to Theologica for the video, and has the transcript, which is very worthy of reading and meditating upon!)

The Professional Guard

Image via Wikipedia

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise.' Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. (Matthew 27:62-66, ESV)

The Tender Burial

Image via Wikipedia

Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness— his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth— that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken." And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced."

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:31-42, ESV)

The Final Sacrifice

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, "This man is calling Elijah." And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.  When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!"

There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. (Matthew 27:45-56, ESV)

The Barbaric Death

So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but rather, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."

 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

    "They divided my garments among them,
   and for my clothing they cast lots."  

So the soldiers did these things,  but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:16-27, ESV)

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:32-43, ESV)

The Brutal Mockery

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!" When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God." When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin."

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar." So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. (John 19:1-16, ESV)

The Unjust Trials

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So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. [...]

The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said." When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" Jesus answered him, "If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?" Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. [...]

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.  So Pilate went outside to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" They answered him, "If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you." Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death." This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?" Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" (Luke 18: 12-14, 19-24, 28-38, ESV)

The Double Betrayal

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While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, "Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."
 
Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. e one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not." And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, "Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:47-62, ESV)

The Earnest Prayer

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Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on.  See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." (Matthew 25:36-46, ESV)

The Last Supper

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Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so." Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom."

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away." Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same. (Matthew 26:17-35, ESV)

Neither shall they learn war any more...

Trace Adkins and the West Point Glee Club: "The Last Shot Fired"

It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the LORD
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
and many peoples shall come, and say:
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths."
For out of Zion shall go the law,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.

(Isaiah 2:2-4, ESV)

Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus - come!

(h/t to Kender for the video)

Catching up on my reading: Knowing God, by J.I. Packer

I've had this book on my shelf for a couple of months, and I've been meaning to sit down and READ it for several years. I'm glad that I've finally done it! Knowing God is definitely going to be a very helpful book for me, because it's already pointing me right to my wonderful, awesome God and Savior. I'm only about 1/3 of the way through, but there have been so many wonderful, thought-provoking and practical insights from this book, that I'm not surprised that it's a modern Christian classic!

Today, I was reading in chapter 8, "The Majesty of God," and this (extensive) quote popped out and really stopped me in my tracks (oh, and it's not a copy/paste, so please forgive any typos and let me know to correct them! Unless specifically noted, all emphasis and asides are in the original):

No Limitations

How may we form a right idea of God's greatness? The Bible teaches us two steps that we must take. The first is to remove from our thoughts of God limits that would make him small. The second is to compare him with powers and forces which we regard as great.

For an example of what the first step involves, look at Psalm 139, where the psalmist meditates on the infinite and unlimited nature of God's presence, and knowledge, and power, in relation to people. We are always in God's presence, he says. You can cut yourself off from your fellow human beings, but you cannot get away from your Creator. "You hem me in - behind and before... Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens [the sky], you are there; if I make my bed in the depths the underworld], you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea," I still cannot escape from the presence of God: "even there your hand will guide me" (vv 5-10 [ed. - Packer is quoting from the NIV, FYI]). Nor can darkness, which hides me from human sight, shield me from God's gaze (vv. 11-12).

And jus as there are no bounds to his presence with me, so there are no limits to his knowledge of me. Just as I am never left alone, so I never go unnoticed. "O LORD, you have searched me and know me. You know when I sit and when I rise [all my actions and movements]; you perceive my thoughts [all that goes on in my mind] from afar... You are familiar with all my ways [all my habits, plans aims, desires, as well as all my life to date]. Before a word is on my tongue [spoken, or meditated] you know it completely, O LORD" (vv. 1-4).

I can hide my heart, and my past, and my future plans, from those around me, but I cannot hide anything from God. [emph. mine]

[...]

The Incomparable One

For an example of what the second step involves, look at Isaiah 40. Here Gd speaks to people whose mood is the mood of many Christians today = despondant people, cowed people, secretly despairing people; people against whom the tide of events has been running for a very long time; people who have ceased to believe that the cause of Christ can ever prosper again. Now see how God through his prophet resons with them.

Look at the tasks I have done, he says. Could you do them? Could any man do them? "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?" (v. 12) Are you wise enough, and mighty enough, to do things like that? But I am, or I could not have made this world at all. Behold your God!

Look now at the nations, the prophet continues: the great national powers, at whose mercy you feel yourselves to be. Assyria, Egypt, Babylon - you stand in awe of them, and feel afraid of them, so vastly do their armies and resources exceed yours. But now consider how God stands related to those mighty forces which you fear so much. "Surely the nations are like a drop in the bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; ... Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing" (Is 40: 15, 17). You tremble before the nations, because you are much weaker than they; but God is so much greater than the nations that they are as nothing to him. Behold your God!

Look next at the world. Consider the size of it, the variety and complexity of it; think of the nearly five thousand millions who populate it, and of the vast sky above it. What puny figures you and I are, by comparison with the whole planet on which we live! Yet what is the entire mighty planet by comparison with God? "He sits enthrones above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in." (Is 40:22). The world dwarfs us all, but God dwarfs the world. The world is his footstool, above which he sits secure. He is greater than the world and all that is in it, so that all the feverish activity of its bustling millions does no more to affect him than the chirping and jumping of grasshoppers in the summer does to affect us. Behold your God!

Look, fourthly, at the world's great ones - the governors whose laws and policies determine the welfare of millions; the would-be world rulers, the dictators and empire builders, who have it in their power to plunge the world into war. Think of Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar; think of Alexander, Napoleon, Hitler. Think, today, of Clinton and Saddam Hussein [or Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Amadinijad, Kim Jong Il... - ed.]. Do you suppose that it the is really these top men who determine the way the world shall go? Think again, for God is greater than the world's great men. "He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing" (Is 40:23). He is, as the prayer book says, "the only ruler of princes." Behold your God!

But we have not finished yet. Look, lastly, at the stars. The most universally awesome experience that mankind knows is to stand alone on a clear night and look at the stars. Nothing gives a greater sense of remoteness and distance; nothing makes one feel more strongly of one's own littleness and insignificance. And we who live in the space age can supplement this universal experience with our scientific knowledge of the actual factors involved - millions of stars in number, billions of light years in distance. Our minds reel; our imaginations cannot grasp it; when we try to conceive of unfathomable depths of outer space, we are left mentally numb and dizzy.

But what is this to God? "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing" (Is 40:26). It is God who brings out the stars; it was God who first set them in space; he is their Maker and Master - they are all in his hands and subject to his will. Such is his power and majesty. Behold your God!

Truly, a very inspiring statement - and it really does help put things in perspective, especially when I keep it in the forefront of my mind and meditate upon it carefully.

Actually, those last two paragraphs understate things a bit. Instead of millions of stars, Packer actually ought to have said "millions of galaxies, which each have billions of stars"! God made them all! Look back in Genesis at the creation of the heavenly lights:

And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons,  and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

"God made the sun and the moon... Oh, yeah, and the stars, too, by the way..."

Just as an afterthought, almost...

God's power is not limited. Whatever He wills to do, He will bring to pass - without effort, without tiring, and without mistakes.

Behold the God Most High, the LORD God Almighty, who loves us and gave Himself for us!

Mark Driscoll: 1 Peter 3:1-7 Marriage - NO HOLDS BARRED!

This is the reason I really love the preaching of Pastor Mark. Two Sundays ago, March 15th, he spoke on 1 Peter 3:1-6, about women and their role in marriage. It was a hard sermon; I saw a lot of things for which I need to repent and follow God, rather than my own selfish desires.

It's not at all an easy sermon, and you need to set aside about an hour and a half to watch and then pray about it, but I ask that any woman reading this post would do so. If you're a guy, feel free to do so as well - but don't think that Pastor Mark is going to ignore you...!

And, ladies? If you have the courage to see this video through, I urge you to then watch what Pastor Mark says to the men. After watching both sermons with open hearts, NO ONE could honestly whine about wives submitting to their own husbands ever again...!

Pretty convicting, don't you think? I know I like to think of myself as a pretty good Christian wife, but I see many places where I fall far short of God's plan. This is a sermon I need to listen to often so that God's Word can get inside my heart and soul, lead me to repent, and throw myself upon the mercy of Christ for His forgiveness and His strength to walk in obedience to His Spirit.

This past Sunday (March 22nd), however, Pastor Mark took on verse 1 Peter 3:7, and preached the most powerful sermon I have ever heard... to the MEN.

Guys, this is not for the faint of heart. And, frankly, I doubt that there will be more than a half handful of men who will actually watch this through. Of that small number, I bet that there might be one man who will be convicted and repent of his ways, and maybe another who honestly does his best to bear his burden and be a godly husband and father.

I wonder... Just how many "Christian" men will see this video and turn it off, dismiss it, or rage against it, because they are intent on denying the fact that the Holy Spirit is determined to search them out and bring their sin to light?

It's not for cowards or chauvinists, guys.

So. Do you dare to watch?

Father, I pray that You will use these videos to Your glory. I pray that You will reveal Yourself in them, and bring conviction, repentance, and renewed fellowship out of them. Use them to strengthen our families and our churches, Lord, so that we may proclaim You to an unbelieving world with strength and honesty. Cut us to our hearts and souls, then let us rise up from our knees to proclaim the severe goodness of Your Word! To You alone be glory, Father, forever and ever. Amen.

Sunday thoughts on 2 Peter 1:3-8

Church today was awesome, even though Pastor Hank's message was rather somber ("Master Crafted: A Sinner's Hopeless Condition" from Ephesians 2:1-3). Hopefully I'll have the video edited and published sometime this week, but I'm working with a new video editor, Kdenlive, and it's giving me a few headaches at the moment. [miffed look at kdenlive]

Anyway, one scripture Pastor Hank brought up near the end of his sermon really grabbed me, 2 Peter 1:5,6... I'll reproduce verses 3 through 8, though, to put things in context:

[God's] divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Look at that first statement: "God's power HAS GRANTED ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness..."

Christian, we have God's very own power to empower us to live lives pleasing to Him. We, unlike natural man, have the real choice as to whether we obey God! He gave us His power and His love and His guidance and His Word - ALL THINGS NEEDED - so that we may follow Him and live righteous and godly lives.

When Hank brought up these verses, he prefaced them with the remark that he often gets an unsure response when he asks if people know that they know that they know that they KNOW they are saved. That uncertainty, he said, is quite possibly because we may not be growing in our faith. And, we may not be growing because we think we are unable to do what God requires.

But God has given us ALL things so that we may use His power to accomplish what He commands! So, if I may, I'll rephrase vv. 5,6:

Because God's Holy Spirit lives within the Christian, we have His power to have faith in Him. We have His power to increase our faith with virtue, increase our virtue with knowledge, increase our knowledge with self-control, increase our self-control with steadfastness, increase our steadfastness with godliness, increase our godliness with brotherly affection, increase our brotherly affection with love... Which goes back to increasing our faith.

God has given us everything we need to grow in Him and to work out our own salvation to His glory! But too many of us - and I include myself - don't delve in to the abundant power and grace God has for us. We don't read our Bibles, we don't memorize Scripture, we don't pray, we don't earnestly and passionately take up our cross to follow Him.

We need to take up our cross DAILY and follow Him DAILY. If we do, we will abound in the fruit of the Spirit

• love
• joy
• peace
• patience
• kindness
• goodness
• faithfulness
• gentleness
• self-control

We will abound in faith, and our internal sense of salvation will grow ever stronger. More importantly, we will be effective and friutful servants of our Savior, and will bring glory to His wonderful name.

After all

Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.*

Proverbs: truisms, not necessarily precepts

A friend of mine just let me know of this news story about Bristol Palin and her now ex-fiancé:

The teenage daughter of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her fiancé have broken up just over two months after the birth of the couple's child.

People.com reported Wednesday that sources said the split between Bristol Palin, 18, and Levi Johnston, 19 occurred a few weeks ago, and Johnston confirmed to the Associated Press that he and Bristol mutually decided to end their relationship "a while ago." He did not elaborate.

It reminded me of the Proverb

Train up a child in the way he should go;
   even when he is old he will not depart from it.

... which reminded me of the introduction to Proverbs by Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. I'd highly recommend that you give it a listen:

Very often - and I've been guilty of it myself - a Christian parent will take one of the Proverbs as a promise, and that ain't necessarily so. Proverbs give you general truisms: IF you are a good parent and train your child in honesty and responsibility and good character, then most likely that child will grow up to be a good and responsible citizen. However, we are all human, and we all have a sinful nature, so a child may also decide to reject his training and go his own way.

There are very few guarantees, but there are a lot of probabilities.

Do I think the Palins did a poor job of parenting Bristol? No, not at all. I think they did the best they could as godly parents. But Bristol Palin is still her own person, and she chose to disregard her parents' and her God's commands about sexual abstinence.

Unfortunately, now Bristol and her child are going to have to bear the consequences of that choice. And Levi Johnston will have to bear the burden of his choice, as well.

I'm sad that this is how it's turned out, but perhaps there will be a few young men and women who will see this sad situation and realise that waiting for true committment and marriage to have sex isn't really such a terrible thing.

And, perhaps, God in His grace and mercy will come in and restore this young couple's relationship and bring healing and reconciliation for the praise and glory of his name.

If it be Thy will, Father, I pray You grant that plea!

And so, Lent begins...

I'm not Catholic and I don't generally observe their liturgical calendar, but Lent is somewhat different.

For those of you who might not know, Lent is the forty days prior to Easter Sunday. Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, is the day when we as Christians celebrate the physical resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, from the grave. Lent, the time leading up to Easter, has traditionally been a time of fasting and reflection, a time to meditate on all Jesus has done on our behalf because of the great love He has for His people.

Sadly, these days, many Christians reduce the pain and suffering and infinite sacrifice to a trite "Jesus died on the Cross for your sins." Very true, but simple, shallow, and without the context of Who Jesus is, what we are, and the wonder of the indescribable grace of God. We need to refresh our understanding of Jesus' sacrifice and what He went through on our behalf, so that our lives can be renewed with the awe and gratitude we owe our wonderful Savior.

If you are interested in really trying to understand the Cross and the Resurrection, if you really want to put meaning back into this season of reflection, remembrance and repentance, first I earnestly implore you to read your Bible. Go through the Gospels and read of Jesus' life here on earth, His love and tender care, His patience and kindness, His anger with hypocrisy and injustice, and His willing sacrifice. Read carefully with an open heart and a sober mind, considering all that Jesus went through for you. Prayerfully ask the Father to remove your stony heart of sin and rebellion and give you a new heart of flesh that desires to follow and glorify Him.

He will do it. That's why He came; to seek and save His lost sheep who have gone astray.

An intent and honest search of the Scriptures is really quite sufficient, but for further reflection I would also suggest

• watching the Passion of the Christ
• watching The Visual Bible: Matthew (beginning about Matthew 20, for time's sake)
• listening to Mark Driscoll's series Christ on the Cross

... or watching this video from the series Doctrine:

Jesus has done so much for us, and He has sent His Spirit into the world to convict it of sin and righteousnes and judgement... But if you hear that voice, if you see your sin and the perfect righteousness of God, do not despair! Do not despair, for He has sent that same Spirit to give you new life and rebirth into a new family. He has sent His Spirit to live within you and testify that you are His:

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:14-17, ESV)

Through the Cross, Jesus pays the debt we cannot pay so that we may escape the wrath we cannot bear and gain the peace we do not deserve.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:6-11, ESV)

Hallelujah to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world! Blessing and honor and strength and praise be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit! Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, and He has shown us His great love and mercy! All creation shall bow to Him and testify to His righteousness, and His people shall rejoice in Him forever and glorify His great and worthy name!

Amen and Amen.

"Marriage Secrets: How to Make It" - Pastor Hank, Marion Baptist Church, Chatham, Virginia

Yay! Thanks to Vimeo, I can now upload the complete files Pastor Hank's video sermons...

Marriage Secrets - How to Make It from Kat Wilton on Vimeo.

Pastor Hank preaches out of Ecclesiastes

"The fool says in his heart...

"... 'There is no god...' "

Un-huh.

ONLY God would have thought to mix these crazy clashes of color, dusted them with snow, and then served them up to delight my senses and bless my heart! This picture is a very pale shadow of the beauty God poured out before me for just five minutes this evening - just long enough for me to get to a safe place, pull over, and bounce out of the car to snap some pictures in the crisp air.

I had been listening to a sermon about humility while driving home from work and thinking about how prideful I am and how I want to learn godly humility, and God just decided to remind anyone with eyes to see that He is still very much here, and that He loves us and calls us to repentance and trust in Him.

There is NO ONE I'd rather trust than the true God who creates such beauty and showers His abundant love and blessing upon us!

The heavens declare the glory of God,
   and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
   and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
   whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
   and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
   which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
   and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
   and its circuit to the end of them,
   and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect,
   reviving the soul;
   the testimony of the LORD is sure,
   making wise the simple;
The precepts of the LORD are right,
   rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure,
   enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean,
   enduring forever;
The rules of the LORD are true,
   and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
   even much fine gold;
   sweeter also than honey
   and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
   in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
   let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
   and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
   be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19, ESV)

God is so good...

... He really is. I cannot say just how wonderful He has been to me. I cannot fully explain to any of you just how kind and loving He has been this past week. He's been holding out His hand to me for so long, pointing out sin and inviting me back to His loving arms. I've known the sin, I've known it WAS sin, and I just kept returning to it, like a dog to its own vomit.

My head knew it was sin, and my wayward heart just. kept. on. sinning!

God in His grace and mercy just keeps calling to me - my loving Father calling me to come back to safety and back to a loving, whole relationship with Him. And, so I have. I feel the pull, but I am going to rely on God's strength to say "no" and be obedient to His will rather than my sinful nature. It may be difficult to stay on God's path for my life, but I know that I can do it because it is God's power working in me, not my power. It is God who began this work in me and who will complete it. It is God's power in me that is greater than the power of my sin.

I am blessed with so many good and godly people in my life: my parents, my grandmother (who is with the Lord), several friends, and many people I've met through the internet. I am blessed with a wonderful family - a husband and daughter who I dearly love and who bring joy to my heart and a smile to my lips EVERY SINGLE DAY.

But, in particular, I want to thank my pastor and my church for being unafraid to preach the Gospel without shame:

Thanks, Hank. Thanks also to Roger, who told me of this local Church, who is also my Bible Study teacher, and who has been teaching God's word with simplicity and strength. I learn more about God, I grow closer to God, and I want to serve God more because of my church's encouragement and instructions.

Along with Pastor Hank and Roger, I also want to thank Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle for his sermon on Predestination. I just finished listening to it, and it was so humbling and yet incredibly uplifting that I need to post it as well. It is long, yes, but well worth a very careful listen. In particular, if you only have limited time, listen to the last half - and then marvel at the wondrous grace and love and mercy and kindness of the one true God:

Oh, by the way...

How is everyone doing on their daily Bible reading?

I'm not doing as well as I'd like; it seems like I'm skipping every other day. Fortunately, it's easy to catch up, but it's not helping to develop the habit of being in the Word daily. *sigh* I really need to remind myself of proper priorities and just DO IT!

Anyway, today's readings from the MacArthur Daily Bible are:

• Genesis 21 and 22
• Psalm 6:6-10
• Proverbs 3: 5-6
• Matthew 8:18-34

The incredible unbelievability of GRACE

It's funny - quite funny - that people who (to my knowledge) have only mild appreciation of Christianity want to slam a pastor like Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in the Seattle area. Hot Air has had two entries up just recently, and it makes me JOYOUS that a man of God who pulls no punches is in the forefront of right-leaning new media.

I would earnestly suggest that, to get an idea of where Mark is coming from, you might want to listen to "How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy and Cutting Words." Secondly, I earnestly recommend his Religion Saves series. This is a man who loves God, and is not afraid to preach the Word in fullness and in truth!

I confess that I am imperfect and that my walk with God is not what it ought to be... But when dogs, pigs and wolves come up against me, I will mock, rebuke and shoot them with no apologies and to the best of my knowledge and ability. Just like Mark, my Pastor, Hank, is a wonderful blessing and encouragement to me to take a stand on the Rock of God's Word.

My commitment: I refuse to be bound by the expectations and restrictions of sinful humans - God and His Word alone constrain me. If you think I'm in error, you'd better rebuke me as a fellow Christian and remember the words of Paul in Galatians 6:

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.

I know that I, and others I admire, are not always right - but I'm tired of backing down and being "diplomatic" when I contend for the faith in the true God who offers the only way to true freedom and joy and eternal peace.

If you are a Christian and disagree with my opinions and actions, PROVE to me that you are my brother or sister. Validate that relationship, and show your humility and gentleness.

Prove that you are a Christian before you rebuke me... Or be prepared to be mocked like a lying dog or shot like heretical wolf.

Hey... Dad?

One of the things I really want to commit to this year - besides reading my Bible every day, and being in church every week - is deepening my prayer life.

I do pray, and I do pray for friends - several have astonished me by thanking me for prayers I've written for them - but I want to really, really pray... I want to just come boldly before the Throne and confidently lay my cares and concerns in God's lap, knowing that He loves me and that He hears me and that He will answer me.

I want to stop worrying about what other people think, and I want to have the faith of a child - trusting, confident, and knowing that Dad can do anything - when I talk to Him.

I want to learn to go to Him first whenever I have a need or a worry. I want to learn to hear His voice when my Dad talks to me. I want to throw myself into His arms and ask for forgiveness when I screw up. I want to hold onto the Hand that is holding me.

I want to get so close to God that I can see Him everywhere I look and in everything I do.

I know I'm the Daughter of the King of Kings... but I also want to be...

Daddy's Girl

...your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

(Matthew 6:8-13, NKJV)

All right, I'm trying again...

In 2007, one of my resolutions was to read through the Bible in a year. Sadly, as is the way with so many New Year's resolutions, it sort of fell by the wayside, which is really a terrible thing. So, this year, I'm going to try again, and I hope my fellow Christians will join me.

I'll be working from the MacArthur Daily Bible, which includes daily readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament, but there are other daily reading programs if you want to go straight through.

Yesterday's readings were:

• Genesis 1 and 2
• Psalm 1
• Proverbs 1:1-7
• Matthew 1

Today's readings are:

• Genesis 3 and 4
• Psalm 2
• Proverbs 1:8-9
• Matthew 2

I'm not going to write about what I'm reading in the Bible all the time; I want to concentrate on actually reading this year. It is probably that I'll post meditations on the day's selections, but I'm not going to make it a regular thing.

Good morning!

Look what greeted me outside my front door this morning:

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
         I will sing and give praise.
Awake, my glory!
         Awake, lute and harp!
         I will awaken the dawn.
         
I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
         I will sing to You among the nations.
For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
         And Your truth unto the clouds.
         
 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
         Let Your glory be above all the earth.

(Psalm 57:7-11, NKJV)

The Myth of Communistic Christianity

I saw an article the other day (UPDATE: My blog brother, Jerry Fuhrman, pointed it out) - didn't spend much time with it when I saw its premise - but I saw a typical twisting of Christian doctrine in an attempt to "prove" that Christianity supported communism. This concept is so far from the truth that it really boggles my mind! When I see people attempting this; it truly makes me wonder if their reading comprehension skills are that poor.

Here's the usual verse I see when people try to make this argument:

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.

How about we look at that verse in close context?

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

All right, the first thing you need to notice is that the "haves" voluntarily sold lands and possessions; the government - either of the Church (the Apostles) or of Israel (the Romans or the Sanhedrin) - did not levy taxes on these people, did not "nationalize" anything, and did NOT then redistribute property and money to anyone in the "have-nots" who wanted it. You should also note that the text does not read "all who were possessors of lands or houses sold ALL of them."

So, that means that the personal property rights of each individual were respected. All through the Bible, the concept of personal property is endorsed by God Himself - take a look at the Ten Commandments. The eighth and tenth read:

You shall not steal.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

You cannot steal something if it doesn't already belong to someone else: a storekeeper owns his inventory, an inventor owns his inventions, a farmer owns his land and livestock and crops, and so on. If you want to acquire these items, you must offer a fair price, or you must accept a refusal if the owner doesn't wish to sell.

Don't forget the story of Ananias and Sapphira in the next chapter of Acts:

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”

She said, “Yes, for so much.”

Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.

So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Ananias and Sapphira sold *A* possession, not ALL of their possessions. The Apostle Peter affirms their right to do as they would with their own property. Their sin was coveting the admiration of the congregation and lying to get it; it would have been perfectly acceptable for them to have only given part of their proceeds from the sale, if only they had been honest about it.

The sin of covetousness is at the root of thievery of all kinds. At its foundation, Communism is a coveting of what you do not have and do not wish to work for. It is an envy towards those who have done well, and an intent to make everyone the same (note that I did not say "equal:" Communism has nothing to do with equality) by dragging everyone down to the same level of lackluster and inert uniformity.

These men and women of the early Church saw needs within their community and stepped up to help those who needed help. Each one gave VOLUNTARILY according to their means, and those who had real needs were blessed, encouraged and supported by their Christian brothers and sisters.

Secondly, you should note that these givers brought their gains to the Church (that's called "tithing" and "Christian stewardship"), and the Church then gave it out to those who were in need. Not to those who were just sitting on their fat a**es waiting for a handout. Not to those who thought they were "entitled" to it. Not to those who had a deep concern for "social justice" and "class war."

The Church in America, for all the good things about her, has fallen terribly from her mission and purpose. We have allowed the government to usurp... Well, actually, the government hasn't "usurped" the Church's mission; we effectively sat back and GAVE the missions of mercy and helps to the government. Unfortunately, that is NOT the government's job: it is the job of the Church and of local communities of people to see others in true need and to do what they can to help these people - voluntarily.

As for those who are not in need, take a look at some of the things the Apostle Paul has to say about them:

But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

"If anyone WILL NOT WORK, neither shall he eat." What does idleness lead to? Disorder, busybodies, laziness, selfishness, and strife, among many other things. Paul commands the Thessalonians (and also us) that we should imitate him and work so that we are not a burden to anyone and so that we may have our own bread to eat. There is no shame in needing a helping hand - in fact, it can be a blessing. Being in need can show you God's great provision for His children, and can allow others to be blessed by acting in God's character of love and generosity. But needing a helping hand is quite different from taking from others just so you can remain where you are.

There is a wonderful phrase I have heard quite often that goes well here: God loves you just as you are... But He also loves you enough to not allow you to stay there! We each have the duties and work God has set before us, and we are each in the place and time that God has ordained for us to do these works. We are not to be busybodies, coveting others' possessions or prestige, but rather to be sober and quiet, living our lives to His glory and our good. We do not need to be envying others, because we are the children of the King, and one day He will give us all things - including a new, perfect world where the presence of sin and sorrow cannot enter.

Thus, we should put aside any notion of Communistic Christianity (which is not the same thing as communal Christianity - that's another post), and work diligently for His Kingdom until He comes again.

Choose ye this day: Life and blessings, or death and cursings

Gateway Pundit posts this damning video about Obama's position on abortion:

Christian, if you are faithful to your Bible, you cannot vote for Sen. Obama. If you do, you are spitting in the face of God Himself - and displaying serious evidence which would lead many to conclude that you are not truly His.

Look at the way Obama prevaricates with Pastor Warren. Listen to his strong statements in favor of abortion. Remember how he describes a baby as a punishment when referring to his daughters and a hypothetical unplanned pregnancy.

Do you know how GOD describes children? Like this:

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
        The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
        So are the children of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
        They shall not be ashamed,
        But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

The Lord has been abundantly kind to this nation, but we have fallen so terribly far from where we began! The fact that He has restrained His hand of judgment for so long both amazes and terrifies me, because America has earned His condemnation.

And if you think that I'm too single-issue about this, that's not my problem. But a true Christian recognizes and submits to God's absolute sovereignty over us all, even from before our birth - and He hates the murder of children. His holy hatred will exact a terrible retribution, and I fear for Sen. Obama's very soul when he espouses such evil while claiming the title of Christian.

At Sinai, God commanded the Israelites to choose, and to hold fast to that choice. He gives America the same choice today, with the same sober warning:

See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them. [emph. mine]

Choose wisely, America. Your fate, and the fate of your children, hangs in the balance.

Busy, busy week so far!

On Monday, the Beloved Husband and I accompanied the Darling Munchkin to the very nice, awesome, and excellent school we hope she'll be admitted to for her high school years. I had very high expectations of this school going in to the orientation - and they blew them all to smithereens! If our Munchkin is accepted there, she will get a stellar education, and will be perfectly well prepared fr college.

Of course, the price tag is a shocker (what a surprise!), so it will take a lot of prayer and hard work - but the Beloved and I know it will be worth it.

Then that evening, I went to my tax prep class, since I'd missed my normal morning session. It was a very good thing I did, because I got some excellent gouge (that's mil-speak for "good information") about the mid-term exam on Wednesday.

Tuesday, I studied, and then went to the after-school robotics workshop and "enjoyed" the enthusiasm of the kids (IOW, they have the attention span of gnats [sorry to insult gnats], and drove me nuts). Regional competition is barely a month away, and they've got to pull things together!!!

Wednesday, I aced my mid-term!!! One Hundred Percent Correct!!! I knew I'd pass, but I really wanted to get everything correct. It was a good thing (well, for me, anyway) the other two students weren't there, because I muttered and reasoned and commented my way through the whole exam; for some reason, talking through the problems aloud tends to help me concentrate and double check my work.

And then, that afternoon, I had an excellent ride on my dear buddy Jimmy, who is a wonderful Saddlebred gelding. He generally doesn't care to take the left lead when cantering (he'd rather try to rack, which is rather an odd feel if you're expecting the three-beat pace of a canter), but Wednesday, he picked it up right away. Apparently, I was also looking good, because the stable owner (a wonderful lady; I love her to bits) advised that I really ought to just buy Jimmy - and was only half joking! LOL Nooooooo, cant buy a horse when we have tuition for the Excellent School coming up in a few years! (Darn... 'Cause Jim-Jimmy-Jimmers is a great horse, and I adore him).

Yesterday... What did I do yesterday?! Oh, yeah, I went with a friend to WalMart, where we purchased a lot of supplies for the three Robotics teams. Her husband came along, too, and we all had lunch together... And then talked politics on the way back home (arg - not fun!).

The main thing we spoke of was the whole "Joe the Plumber" issue. My friend's husband claimed that "Joe" was mistaken, and that his taxes would not be affected - and missed the entire point of Obama's socialistic/communistic response:

This is a more complete video than the one I saw originally (which I prefer: I like things as much in context as possible), but at around the 1:20 and 3:00 minute marks, Sen. Obama talks about "spreading the wealth around," which is socialistic and communistic. That is government forcing people to give up an excessive amount of their hard-earned money, and penalizing them for their work and effort.

Now, I understand that taxes are a necessary evil - to some extent. The Federal government has to maintain the military to defend us, interstates need to be kept up, and so on - but our tax code has become so large and unwieldy that even the IRS can't keep up with it all! Joe bought up a flat tax, and Obama's response, though it sounds good and thoughtful, is merely an avoidance of a serious problem. Frankly, our tax code needs to be scrapped in its entirety and replaced (*wince* Ow - that hurt just typing it!) with something that gets out of the way of productivity, entrepreneurship, investing and saving; is simple, clear and easy to understand; and which is locked in so that lobbyists and special interest groups cannot screw around with it.

Yes, even if I get a job in tax preparation, I would love for that job to become obsolete because something like the FairTax was passed and adopted. Until then, I will do my best to serve my clients by making sure that the government doesn't get one red cent that my client doesn't owe them!

*sigh*

So, at the moment, I've got a stew bubbling away in the crock pot, I've completed my homework for my tax class, and I'm going through the news... And I'm feeling a little troubled and worried, because I cannot see anything good coming, no matter who gets elected in November! So, I need to remember Jesus' words to His disciples:

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Thank You, Lord, for Your watchcare over Your children. You know our fears, our worries and our troubles, You know our frailties and failures. Please let us turn to You when we are burdened with the cares of the world; remind us that You are still in control, You are still sovereign, and there is nothing that comes to pass that You have not foreseen and permitted and brought to pass. You alone are God, and Your mighty hand works to order history according to Your good and perfect will.

In Your Providence, nations rise and fall, rulers reign and die, and countries wax and wane in influence. You alone are God, You alone are ruler over all the universe, and You alone will receive the glory at the end of the age. All knees will bow before you, and every tongue will confess that You reign in righteousness. Your judgment is just and holy and true, and You will mold all things for Your glory and for the good of Your children.

Thank You, Father, for Your mercy and grace, for Your patient lovingkindness, and for the abundant blessings You shower upon us. I pray that Your love and forbearance will do their work and turn all our hearts to You in repentance and willing obedience to Your will. I pray that You will receive glory from a nation that returns to her Eternal Father, and again lifts up the name of Christ Jesus in honor, thanksgiving and praise for all He has done. In His blessed and exalted name, amen.

Even in the little things that never seem to big to me
In the things I thought didn’t matter much at all
As simple as my daily bread
To the strength I need to get out of bed
When I fly or when I am about to fall
Oh it's you in me that I fail to see

Make me aware, make me see
That everything I am is not all about me
So Take my world and turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware, make me aware

When my life is hanging from a thread
And I think about the things you said
that in this moment seem so far away
Help me see the guarantees
That first brought me to believe
So I can make through another day
Oh it's you in me that helps me breathe

Make me aware, make me see
That everything I am is not all about me
So Take my world and turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware

I have been missing so much
Not recognizing your touch
Or Acknowledging that you’re the reason
I'm even here
I have been missing so much not recognizing your touch

Make me aware, make me aware
Help me see that everything I am is not all about me
Take my world turn it around so that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware, make me aware

                                                     Salvador, "Aware," from their album Aware (2008)

This is the Gospel... This is the doctrine of election!

I've been enjoying watching Mark Driscoll's (of Mars Hill Church in Seattle) Q&A sessions on YouTube and came across this video in which he gives a brilliant example of the doctrine of the election of the saints. The question he's answering actually comes right out of Romans 9:14-24

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Right out of Romans 9... Here's the video:

I am so thankful that my Father yanked me out of traffic. I am so profoundly grateful that He chose to put His fatherly love above my rebellious and sinful will and grabbed me out of death and into life. Because He did, I now have a glorious future with Him for all eternity.

THANK YOU, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30, NKJV)

God's Word goes forth throughout the world

The Anchoress has noted a couple times in the past week or so that the Vatican as put out a live reading of the Bible on the internet. Now, it's in Italian, and the site is in Italian, and I don't read Italian, so I thought I'd post a recording I did for myself of Romans chapters 5 through 8 (it's to help me memorize those chapters, NOT because I love the sound of my voice all that much!)

Listen to Romans 5 thru 8

- and enjoy! Listen to God's Word: it's good for the soul! (I snagged that from Max McLean)

Before the "New Hallelujah," we must be "Sweetly Broken"

The past couple of weeks, God's been really urging me to get back with Him on a regular basis and clean up a few things in my life. I've been prodded by the Spirit for quite a while, but somehow He's finally gotten me to a place where I can bow my head and say, "Not my will, Father, but Thine."

Trust me, it's not an easy journey. For me, it hasn't been fraught with major angst and turmoil in my outer life, but my spirit has been very restless, and that annoying little gerbil in my brain just wouldn't stop spinning in its wheel! That's not a good thing, you know; it's very tiring. It's also very handy for tying yourself in knots with guilt and indecision. How often will I need to go through this sort of thing until I finally, REALLY learn that it's always best to let God have His way in me?

One of the things I decided to do was to follow along in Kay Arthur's current Precepts for Life study in the book of Isaiah. I'm a bit behind (today was day 14, and I've only gotten through day 4), but that's OK; I can catch up, and am going to squeeze in two lessons a day until I do. Anyway, today and yesterday I was reading and studying Isaiah, chapter 1, where the prophet records God's charge against Israel and the consequences of sin and rebellion.

Have you thought about the Lord’s Prayer this way? Might be a good idea…

I got this from my beloved blog-brother, GM Roper, and just had to post it. The prayer, and the voice of the pray-er is in blue, God’s voice is in red, and my additions are in green (yeah, of course I’ve got to stick my nose in it!)

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.
Yes?
Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
But -- you called ME!
Called you?
No, I didn't call you.
I'm praying.
Our Father who art in Heaven.
There -- you did it again!
Did what?
Called ME.
You said,
"Our Father who art in Heaven"
Well, here I am.
What's on your mind?
But I didn't mean anything by it.
I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.
I always say the Lord's Prayer.
It makes me feel good,
kind of like fulfilling a duty.
(Prayer – proper prayer – should never be a “duty,” but a joy. It also shouldn’t be just to make you “feel good” - Just think: you’re talking to the God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and who created EVERYTHING! And, He’s listening to YOU because He loves you!)

Well, all right.
Go on.
Okay, Hallowed be thy name . .
Hold it right there.
What do you mean by that?
By what?
By "Hallowed be thy name"?
It means, it means . good grief,
I don't know what it means.
How in the world should I know?
It's just a part of the prayer.
By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, wonderful.

(It also means that we are praying that God and God’s Name are treated as holy and perfect. We are to bless Him and bless His Name in all that we do, say and think. God is holy, perfect and worthy of all honor and awe – and we need to remember that.)
Hey, that makes sense.
I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before.
Thanks.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Do you really mean that?
Sure, why not?
What are you doing about it?

(For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10)
Doing? Why, nothing, I guess.
I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control,
of everything down here like you have up there.
We're kinda in a mess down here you know.

(What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:14-18)

Yes, I know;
but, have I got control of you?
Well, I go to church.
That isn't what I asked you.
What about your bad temper?
You've really got a problem there, you know.
And then there's the way you spend your money --
all on yourself
And what about the kind of books you read?
Now hold on just a minute!
Stop picking on me!
I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!
Excuse ME.
I thought you were praying
for my will to be done.

(For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 1 Thess.  4:3-6)
If that is to happen,
it will have to start with the ones
who are praying for it.
Like you -- for example.

(For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29)
Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups.
Now that you mention it,
I could probably name some others.
So could I.
I haven't thought about it very much until now,
but I really would like to cut out some of those things.
I would like to, you know, be really free.
(Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:34-36)

Good.
Now we're getting somewhere.  We'll work together -- You and ME.
I'm proud of You.
Look, Lord, if you don't mind,
I need to finish up here.
This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
You need to cut out the bread
You're overweight as it is.
Hey, wait a minute! What is this?
Here I was doing my religious duty,
and all of a sudden you break in
and remind me of all my hang-ups.
(Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:31-34)

Praying is a dangerous thing.
You just might get what you ask for.
Remember,
you called ME -- and here I am.
It's too late to stop now.
Keep praying. ( . . pause . )
Well, go on.
I'm scared to.
Scared? Of what?
I know what you'll say.
Try ME.

(Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9)
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
What about Ann ?
See? I knew it!
I knew you would bring her up!
Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories.

(Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.  Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:14-18)
She never paid back the money she owes me.
I've sworn to get even with her!

(Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19)
But -- your prayer --
What about your prayer?
I didn't -- mean it.
Well, at least you're honest.
But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness
and resentment isn't it?
Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her.
Boy, have I got some plans for her.
She'll wish she had never been born.
No, you won't feel any better.
You'll feel worse.
Revenge isn't sweet.
You know how unhappy you are --
Well, I can change that.
You can? How?
Forgive Ann .

(And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Eph. 4:32) 
Then, I'll forgive you;

(For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15) 
And the hate and the sin,
will be Ann 's problem -- not yours.
You will have settled the problem
as far as you are concerned.
Oh, you know, you're right.
You always are.
And more than I want revenge,
I want to be right with You . . (sigh).
All right all right . .
I forgive her.
There now!
Wonderful!
How do you feel?
Hmmmm. Well, not bad
Not bad at all!
In fact, I feel pretty great!
You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight.
I haven't been getting much rest, you know.
Yeah, I know.
But, you're not through with your prayer are you? Go on.
Oh, all right.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Good! Good! I'll do that.
Just don't put yourself in a place
where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean.

(But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12) 
Yeah. I know.
Okay.
Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen.
(I am the LORD, and there is no other;
There is no God besides Me.
      I will gird you, though you have not known Me,
That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting
      That there is none besides Me.
      I am the LORD, and there is no other;
I form the light and create darkness,
      I make peace and create calamity;
      I, the LORD, do all these things.’ Isaiah 45:5-7)

Do you know what would bring me glory -- What would really make me happy?
No, but I'd like to know.
I want to please you now.
I've really made a mess of things.
I want to truly follow you.
I can see now how great that would be.
So , tell me . . .
How do I make you happy?
YOU just did.

(Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
         Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
         Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
         His mercy is everlasting,
         And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100)

Thanks, GMan. I love this!

The other point of view...

My Beloved Husband and I just came out of a long, intense discussion, which made me think of this topic. He mentioned that, in a sense, we are two religious fanatics arguing different viewpoints, but I said that we were more staunch foundationalists who will not change our minds, but who can still discuss our differences rationally.

(Well, mostly. I confess that I usually get extremely frustrated with my inability to argue in such a way that no one could possibly fail to see the brilliance and persuasiveness of my logic [rolls eyes at self])

But he ended with saying that we were both able to see others' point of view, even though we might not agree with it.

It strikes me, however, that I MUST see others' points of view every day of my life: I live with conflicting points of view in my own mind every moment of every day.

As a Christian, my fleshly desires and my selfish nature are at war with the new life God has implanted within me. My carnality struggles against His Spirit, and my eyes stray towards the "easy path" instead of remaining fixed upon the Author and Finisher of the faith.

My "other points of view" clamor in my mind and spirit all the time!

But I need to remember the command in Romans 12:2 -

...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The renewing of my mind is an ongoing, day-by-day, moment-by-moment process. Even if I live to a thousand years old, the process of renewing my mind in this earthly body will never be finished.

Although I am glad that I can see the "other side" (I've been there, I am there, I will be there, after all!) here on earth, I am joyous that one day, my mind will be conformed to the beauty, purity and holiness of God my Savior.

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” [...]

But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

One day.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

MARANATHA!

Rich Mullins: Eleven years later

(Yeah, another "as heard on KLOVE" post...)

This morning I was listening to John and Sherry of KLOVE, and John said that today is the 11th year since Rich Mullins was killed in a car accident.

It made me stop and think, because 12 years ago, when God called me back to Him, one of the songs He used was Rich Mullins' "Sometimes by Step," which is a beautiful, simple song of faith and joy and discipleship. I remember listening to it all those many years ago, and this one verse caught my attention:

Sometimes I think of Abraham
How one star he saw had been lit for me
He was a stranger in this land
And I am that, no less than he
And on this road to righteousness
Sometimes the climb can be so steep
I may falter in my steps
But never beyond Your reach

This is a reference to Genesis 15, verses 1-6:

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”

And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”

Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

One of those stars that Abraham gazed upon was lit for ME!

"But wait, Kat," you say, "you're not Jewish!"

No, genetically and culturally, I'm not Jewish - but I have been grafted in to God's family. Because God has blessed me with a saving faith in His Son, I am now a member of His covenant family. Look here, at Paul's letter to the Romans, Chapter 4:

Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.[...]

Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. [emphasis mine]

Look also in Paul's letter to the Galatians:

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. [emph. mine again]

Because I have Abraham's faith, God regards me as Abraham's spiritual descendant - and thus, I am one of the stars Abraham saw on that bright, clear night and a child of that great promise God made to Abraham.

Because God has chosen me, because He - for some unfathomable reason - has set His love upon me, He now holds me in the palm of His hand. I am never beyond His reach of grace and mercy, and He lives within me, walks beside me, and leads me through each moment of every day of my life.

I may falter, I may stumble, I may stray - but the hand of my Father is always upon me, guiding me back to Him.

My grateful response can only be to quote another passage from Romans:

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

      “For who has known the mind of the LORD?
      Or who has become His counselor?”
      “Or who has first given to Him
      And it shall be repaid to him?”

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

"I fear for my country when I reflect that God is just."

Via NewsBusters, I see this heinous and disgusting article by Nicholas Provenzo in "The Rule of Reason" -

Like many, I am troubled by the implications of Alaska governor and Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin's decision to knowingly give birth to a child disabled with Down syndrome. Given that Palin's decision is being celebrated in some quarters, it is crucial to reaffirm the morality of aborting a fetus diagnosed with Down syndrome (or by extension, any unborn fetus)—a freedom that anti-abortion advocates seek to deny. [emphasis mine]

"It is crucial to reaffirm the morality" of killing an innocent life?! I cannot believe that millions of people in this formerly godly country have been deluded by this lie, and that this person would be so obscenely brazen as to proclaim it. I am amazed that God in His forbearance has not yet judged us severely for allowing the daily murder of thousands of unborn children.

But make no mistake: God is allowing America to heap up the full measure of our sin, and He will pour out His wrath on us in due time.

And Mr. Provenzo, God has something to say to you:

The wicked are estranged from the womb;
         They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.

I would suggest that this appears to be an accurate description of you and your opinion of the unborn children whose murder you endorse. It would actually be far more just and "moral" if you were to say that you should have been aborted!

God affirms that all children, born and unborn, are a blessing:

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
         The fruit of the womb is a reward.

The Psalmist rejoices that

... You formed my inward parts;
         You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
         Marvelous are Your works,
         And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
         When I was made in secret,
         And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
         And in Your book they all were written,
         The days fashioned for me,
         When as yet there were none of them.

God knows the end from the beginning, and He knows what is in the heart of every man.

Mr. Provenzo, though you may not believe in Him or His Word, God knows you inside and out. One day, you will stand before Him, and He will judge you. And woe unto you if He should say:

“‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels, for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Take careful heed, Mr. Provenzo, lest your pride, arrogance and callousness be your eternal downfall.

I pray that America will return to her senses and decide that the "freedom" of abortion is only another kind of slavery and will vehemently renounce it in sorrow and grief for all those already murdered.

Lose My Soul - TobyMac and Kirk Franklin

This song has been playing on KLOVE a bit, and it always seems to come on just when I'm chewing a few things over in my mind... Here's a sample of the lyrics:

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
Don't wanna walk away,
Don't wanna walk away

How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
It's hypnotizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity.

(Lord what we gon' do,
We're relying on you,
all eyes are on you Lord,
all eyes are on you, all eyes are on you Jesus.)

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
(Don't let me lose my soul, my soul.)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(This is my honesty, Father, won't you cover me.)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don't wanna walk away, and all those people say)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don't wanna lose, I don't wanna lose my soul.)

Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world,
That fight for our love, and our passion,
As our eyes are open wide and on you.
Grant us the privilege of your world view,
And may your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down.

(Hallelujah, Don't wanna lose our soul,
No, Don't wanna lose my soul.)

Indeed, Lord. Forgive us - forgive ME - our trespasses and sins.  Do not take Your Spirit from us, keep drawing us to You in love and repentance.

Kay Arthur recently reminded Christians that we need to get serious - especially here in America. We have fallen so far, and are in grave danger of being vomited out like the church at Laodecia. We need to return to our First Love, the One who embodies Love and Truth, who gave Himself for us. We must stop reflecting the culture, and truly begin to reflect our Lord and Savior.

Jesus Himself gave a very serious warning to His disciples in Luke 13, verses 1-5:

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

In the letter to the Romans, Paul reminds us that

As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
“Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;

“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Destruction and misery are in their ways;
And the way of peace they have not known.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

There is no one righteous in God's eyes on this whole earth. No one can come to Him and demand an audience before Him based on their "goodness." We are all sinners, and worthy of eternal punishment. None of us can earn Heaven.

But God, in His grace, has offered a way - ONE way - to come before Him and be received by Him, and that is through the Blood of His Son.

So unless we repent, unless we come to Him in the way He commands, we will all likewise perish.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

I don't want to gain the whole world - and lose my soul.

What about you?

Mosab Hassan Yousef: Out of the darkness, and into the light

FoxNews had a wonderful story the other day about the son of a Hamas member rejecting Islam and converting to Christianity. He begins the interview with

I believe that all those walls that Islam built for the last 1,400 years are not existing (sic) anymore. They don't recognize this. They built those walls and made people ignorant because they're afraid. They didn't want people to discuss anything about the reality of Islam, about the big questions of Islam and they asked their followers, the Muslims, 'Don't ask about those certain questions.'

But Mr. Yousef asked the questions, and

So basically this is what happened. It's not easy to believe this (Islam) is not your father anymore. So I had to study Islam again from a different point of view to figure out all the mistakes, the huge mistakes and its effects, not only on Muslims — (of) which I hated the values ... I didn't like all those traditions that make people's lives more difficult — but its effects also on humanity. On humanity! People killing each other (in) the name of God.

So definitely I started to figure out the problem is Islam, not the Muslims and those people — I can't hate them because God loved them from the beginning. And God doesn't create junk. God created good people that he loved, but they're sick, they have the wrong idea. I don't hate those people anymore but I feel very sorry for them and the only way for them to be changed (is) by knowing the word of God and the real way to him.

Welcome to the family of God, Mr. Yousef. You are a shining example of Ephesians 2:1-10:

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches ofHis grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Make sure you read the whole interview.

God is big... No, I mean REALLY BIG!

... So, why is it that we like to try and keep Him in a little, teeny, tiny box?

The other day I had the opportunity to watch a video called "How Great Is Our God," a message by Louie Giglio of the Passion Conferences ministries. In the first half of his talk, he discussed four stars - from our sun to Sirius, in the constellation Canis Major (he referred to it as "Canis Major," mostly) - in comparison to our earth. If the Earth were the size of a golf ball, our sun would be 15 feet across - but Sirius, the brightest star in our night sky, would be the size of Mt. Everest! If you placed our little golf-ball Earth at the peak of Everest, it would be swallowed up into insignificance...

And our God created both the Earth and the star, Sirius. Not only that, but He created all the galaxies with all the stars they contain as well. Do you know how the Bible describes how God created them?

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. T hen God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

"Oh, by the way, He also made the stars."

Just a little extra bit of information given by the writer of Genesis... But I think of how it points up the incredible, infinite IMMENSITY of God. He created this planet, which is dwarfed by that huge star, Sirius. He created Sirius, which is overwhelmed by the size of its galaxy. He created that galaxy, which is tiny when compared to the size of the universe... And the universe is as nothing when compared with the size and glory of the God who created it all...

The God who put this in the center of the Whirlpool Galaxy

{source}

... has also done something pretty miraculous on the molecular level. Well... He's done some astounding and incredible stuff even on the sub-atomic level, but at the moment, I'd like to bring to your attention a cool little protein called LAMININ.... Would you like to see a picture of this protein molecule? OK, here you go:

{source}

In Colossians 1, the Apostle Paul describes the supremacy of Christ by saying:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

Well, that's interesting, Kat, quite fascinating - but what's so great about laminin?

Laminin is great - especially when combined with that quote from Colossians - because it's the glue that holds our bodies together. It's one of the many fingerprints that God has left all over the universe for us to discover. It's one of the many pieces of evidence He has placed in Creation to point us to Him. From the unimaginably small workings of sub-atomic particles, all the way through the grandiose hugeness of the universe, God is working and has given us all the information we need to see Him for who He is -

The heavens declare the glory of God;
         And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
         And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
         Where their voice is not heard.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that [men] are without excuse,

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Now what I want to ask you is WHY we insist on putting this God in a little box? I know I do it all the time, and it's wrong... How often do we say, "Oh, God can't do this...? or "Oh, God doesn't care about that..." or prove by our actions that we don't really believe that He is who He says He is?

I want to remind you that God certainly CAN do whatever He has said - as proof, I give you the universe in all its intricate complexity and design. And God certainly DOES care about us and our lives, because He came down to us to live with us.

Immanuel, "God With Us," squeezed Himself into a small, frail, weak human body, and set aside all that infinite power - because He cared. The vast, immense, glorious, infinite God of Creation permitted Himself to be sacrificed on a bloody, shameful Cross - because He cared. He rose again and ascended into Heaven to intercede for us before His Father's Throne - because He cares. He gave us His Spirit to dwell within us, to give us guidance and power, to comfort us and seal us - because He cares.

He has commanded us to imitate His Creation and proclaim His name and His salvation to all the world - because He cares.

The love God has for us - fallen, rebellious, blasphemous, useless, ruined sinners that we are - equals the vast, incomprehensible immensity of Himself that I tried so poorly to describe above. That love is proclaimed in little love notes all over Creation - in our cells, in the stars, in the food we eat, in the friends we have, in the beauty of the mountains, in the trials we endure, and in the humble work of a worm - or a protein molecule. That love is focused on us and offered to us with the open and generous hand of the all-powerful, gentle, holy God who longs to have us come home to Him.

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Why don't we - you AND I - stop putting God in a box? He's far bigger than we can ever comprehend, and He works even in the smallest sub-atomic levels we will never discover. But I know He loves us, that He loves me, and I'm going to try to put all my trust in the God whose glory, righteousness and kindness is beyond compare.

Hope for EveryMan

I'm wondering how much like me you are. I'm just a simple wife and mother, no one very complicated. I'm not particularly brilliant, not particularly stupid. I'm not ugly, but then again, I'm also no great beauty. I don't know everything and it's hard for me to grasp many concepts (numbers... I HATE numbers!), but I'm not uneducated, either. I have my good days and my bad and sometimes I do it right - but frequently I mess up.

I have a wonderful, loving family. We are healthy and active, and we enjoy each others' company. We love to do things together, whether it's traveling to Hawaii for vacation, or sitting at home reading and watching TV. We speak to each other with respect, and we listen with courtesy, and we have time - LOTS of time! - to hug and snuggle and tickle and tease and laugh together.

We have good friends, honorable and helpful, kind and compassionate. These friends challenge and support us, they point out new things, they give us a different perspective. We eat together, laugh together, explore together, and help each other out in times of need. They are good friends, and I am truly blessed by them.

We live in a good, solid house - not too big and not too small; not the lap of luxury, but not a ramshackle hovel, either. We have enough money to put food on the table and pay the bills, plus a little left over, but we still grumble about high prices and having to pay so much in taxes.

My life is good, and I am happy and content... Mostly.

So, what's the problem?

I'm the man with all I've ever wanted
All the toys and playing games
I am the one who pours your coffee, corner booth each Saturday
I am your daughter's favorite teacher
I am the leader of the band
I sit behind you in the bleachers
I am every man

I am. I'm just one small cog in the wheel. I'm the average person on the average street in the average town. There are millions - billions! - like me all over the world. Average people living their lives, doing the best that they can at home and at work. We live our lives and never make the headlines.

We are EveryMan.

I'm the coach of every winning team and still a loser in my mind
I am the soldier in the airport facing giants one more time
I am the woman shamed and haunted by the cry of unborn life
I'm every broken man, nervous child, lonely wife

And EveryMan faces giants every day. A sick child, a downsized job, our own mortality - trials which loom too large and too terrible for us to face. Yet, we face them anyway.

We struggle with our anonymity. Our heart aches with loneliness. We grieve over mistakes that can never be unmade. We fear that we can't be good enough, we try and fail, we get back up and try again. Sometimes we feel like Sisyphus, forever rolling that boulder up the hill, only to lose our grip at the crest and watch it go tumbling back down to the bottom.

We trudge back down, wedge our shoulder against the rock, and begin again.

Is there hope for every man
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
Is there hope for every man
Is there love that never dies
Is there peace in troubled times
Someone help me understand
Is there hope for every man

Is there any hope? Can our little lives have meaning? We wander in a desert, we're mired in quicksand, forever looking and longing for some firm foundation, some powerful, undying love. We yearn for something to raise us up, to lift us out of the mud of our day-to-day dreariness, something to give us new hope and new strength.

Is there hope for EveryMan?

Seems there's just so many roads to travel, it's hard to tell where they will lead
My life is scarred and my dreams unraveled
Now I'm scared to take the leap
If I could find someone to follow who knows my pain and feels the weight
The uncertainty of my tomorrow, the guilt and pain of yesterday

We can see so many possibilities, so many "paths up the mountain," and they each clamor for our attention. We don't know the future, but we long for security and assurance that it will all turn out right. We look on our lives and see some beauty among the wreckage, and then we lift our eyes and look at the world in all its terrible beauty and indifference.

We see wars and poverty, terror and brutality, oppression and callousness. We see parents beating children, we see children sold into war and brothels. We see governments so corrupt that they will not permit others to give succor to the suffering. We see vile rhetoric spewed out like vomit in the public arena - and we see it praised, while the voices of reason and caution and kindness are drowned out and scorned.

We are only EveryMan, what can we do? How can our average lives mean anything? How can we stand against the pain and guilt and fear and rage all around us? How can we find a Rock, some unyielding support, which will give us the strength and love to reach out and live in joy and peace amid all the turmoil?

Where can we find the Word of Truth, the Source of Infinite Love, the Righteous Judge, the Father who is always there to teach, nurture and protect?

Who will give hope to EveryMan?

There is hope for every man
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
There is hope for every man
There is Love that never dies
There is peace in troubled times
Will we help them understand?
Jesus is hope for every man

Psalm 121:

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
         From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD,
         Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
         He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
         Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
         The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
         Nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
         He shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
         From this time forth, and even forevermore.

There is Hope for EveryMan.

He stands at the door - the door to your soul - and knocks, and whoever will invite Him in, will have the assurance of His love, the power of His strength, the joy of His presence, and the peace of His salvation - forever.

My help comes from the Lord. He is my Hope, my Treasure, my Purpose and my Freedom.

Jesus Christ is Hope for EveryMan.

(Song is "Every Man" by Casting Crowns)

Did you miss me?

Or were you able to drop by BlogTalk Radio and listen to Cao and me discuss the meaning of Easter?

Well, good news! Here's the entire 90 minute show; I come on after the first hour. However, her hour-long interview with Arthur was quite interesting, so you may enjoy listening to it, as well...

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