*Gospel-driven Disciples

People Who WILL NOT Go to Heaven (Part I)

2012-02-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

People Who WILL NOT Go to Heaven

Posted on February 1, 2011 (Airo)

For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. - 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

As pointed out in Dear “Carnal Christian”, the visible church is overburdened with professing Christians who have never been truly converted. What I mean by “visible church” is that there is a distinction between the professing church and the true Church. The professing church, or visible church, is comprised of both genuine believers and mere professing believers who are still dead in their sins (Ephesians 2:1). On the other hand, the invisible church, or Body of Christ or true Church, is exclusively comprised of born again saints who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

So how do we distinguish between a true believer and a false convert? One simple test can be found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (which reflects Galatians 5:19-21 and Ephesians 5:3-5). From the text:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Do not be deceived, dear professing Christian. The mark of a true convert is that their life is no longer representative of these sins. Galatians 5:19 indicates these things are manifest (evident) as a lifestyle for those who are still walking in darkness, i.e. those who are not saved. Let’s take a closer look in defining these terms:

Fornicator - one who participates in unlawful sex, which is to say of one who indulges in sexual activity outside of the boundaries of legal marriage. It can also mean giving oneself over to false gods, eg religious idolatry. Referring to sexual acts, these would include premarital or post-marital (divorcees) sex of any form (heterosexual, homosexual, incest, pedophilia), but also to include adultery.

Adulterer - one who engages in inappropriate behavior or unlawful sexual activity in violation of legal marriage vows. Such would be the case for two married individuals engaging in inappropriate conduct, or a single individual violating the boundaries of marriage with a married individual.

Idolater - one who worships a false god, or has created a god in their own image (which is to say the “Christian” god they worship is not the God of the Bible). This might include worshiping a god from any of the worlds religions, worship of a person, or worship of an object, such as money.

Homosexual - one who engages in homosexual activity, or same-sex intercourse. This would include those in same-sex relationships, celibate or not.

Sodomite - one who offers himself as a male prostitute to engage in homosexual activity.

Thief - one who steals. Forms of thievery would include embezzlement, robbery (violent force), or by non-violent means, such as cheating, downloading illegal music, or shoplifting.

Covetous - one who is greedy to gain material wealth, or one who is not content or satisfied with their belongings and envies the possessions of others.

Drunkards - one who gets drunk or intoxicated with alcohol.

Revilers - one who is a blasphemer or is marked by contemptuous, disrespectful, or disdainful speech.

Extortioner - one who blackmails for profit, or unlawfully obtains wealth or information through coercion.

The message is clear: those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21). Yet, the visible church is so polluted today that sins such as drunkenness and fornication are swept under the rug and widely accepted by the vast majority of professing Christians. The same could be said for the other sins with regards to church acceptance, homosexuality for instance...

Rick Warren's Bridge to Nowhere

2012-02-28T04:00:00.001-08:00

Growing up in San Jose, CA I had occasion to more than once visit the Winchester Mystery House. This house was owned by Sarah Winchester, the wife of the famous gun mogul William Winchester. Mrs. Winchester kept this house under construction for 38 years. Construction began in 1884 and continued non-stop around the clock until her death on September 5, 1922. Her home had no master building plan. With no master plan this seven story mansion is famous for stairways that lead to "nowhere," doors that open to walls, and passage ways that lead to nowhere. Of course the home is also famous for the extravagant conveniences of its time. Mrs. Winchester spent nearly 5.5 million dollars on this strange, extravagant, and spooky house.

Why did she do this? There are a few legends that are part of the mystery and romance of this former mansion and residence. The most popular legend is that Mrs Winchester upon being troubled, consulted a medium in regards to her fears of being haunted by the spirits of all those who died as a result of her husband's repeating rifle. The medium supposedly told her that if she kept building it would ward off all the spirits of those who were killed by those who bought her husbands's gun. That is precisely what she did. She kept building. My emphasis this morning is on the halls, walkways, staircases, and such that lead to nowhere. They were ordinary and useful items but served no purpose because they led to nowhere.

Apparently Rick Warren of Saddleback Community Church and Purpose Driven Life fame is building a bridge. I don't think he is building a bridge because he is haunted or is attempting to wield off unfriendly ghosts. Nevertheless, his bridge goes to nowhere. As a result this bridge is just as useless as any staircase in the Winchester Mystery House that leads to nowhere.

Apparently Warren has embarked on a mission to heal relations between "evangelicals" and Muslims. Warren is attempting to partner with southern California mosques in hopes of proposing a set of theological principles that prove Muslims and Christians worship the same God. There is an agreement in place not to "evangelize" either group; Christians or Muslims.

It is one thing to develop a commitment and ministry to reach out to Muslims and expose them to the gospel and the God of the Bible. However, it is another thing to deny they reality of the Bible and the Koran in order to conclude that both Muslims and Christians worship the same God. I would never advocate refusing to evangelize the Muslims. The evidence is clear that Biblical Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God. Any attempt to build such a bridge will result in a bridge that is built to nowhere.

It seems that some men never learn. They never learn how clever Satan truly is. God has given the church the Great Commission to evangelize the world. It is the mission of every believer and local church to serve as ambassador's of Christ sparing no effort to preach the gospel to every living creature. It seems the easiest way to stop this evangelization of the world is to convince "the church" that certain people groups, ethnic groups, or religiously affiliated people do not need evangelized.

There have been those through the years proposing the the church does not need to evangelize the Jewish people. Then ECT (Evangelicals and Catholics Together) in versions I and II came along proclaiming we didn't need to evangelize Catholics. Now it seems thanks to Rick Warren's attempt to build a such a bridge to Muslims we won't need to evangelize them. Sorry, Mr. Warren, you can place the Koran and the Bible side by side and you will not find the same God in each document. As Sarah Winchester did for 38 years, you are building your bridge to nowhere, irregardless of how pure your motives may be.

It's Time to Play - Name That Heretic!

2012-02-27T04:00:00.000-08:00

Do You Know, Your Heretics?

In the 5th century I entered into a debate that centered on the relationship between human nature after the fall and the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believed that people could reform their own behavior and live lives as morally good citizens.

I also rejected the doctrine of original sin, substitutionary atonement, and justification by faith. I heavily emphasized unconditional free will and the ability to better oneself spiritually without grace.

I taught that human beings are born with a clean slate and only through voluntary sin do they become wicked. You could live perfect and sinless life and even merit heaven if you wanted to.

Even though I was rejected and my "error" was deemed heretical in 416 by the Council of Carthage you can still find most of my heretical teachings widely accepted and taught in fundamental/evangelical churches today.

Who am I?

Do you know your heretics?

It' is time to play - name that heretic!

How's Your Preparation Going?

2012-02-26T04:00:00.000-08:00

This life was not intended to be the place of our perfection, but the preparation for it.

--Richard Baxter

(12 November 1615 – 8 December 1691)

Book Review: Setting Our Sights on Heaven

2012-02-25T04:00:00.001-08:00

Title: Setting Our Sights on Heaven - Why it is Hard and Why it's Worth It

Author: Paul D. Wolfe
First Copy Right: 2011
Type of Book: Paperback
General Subject: Christian Living
Price: $18.00
ISBN: 978-1-84871-143-3

The purpose of Wolfe in writing this book lies in the fact that most people who expect to go to heaven one day fail to "set their sights" on heaven consistently in their everyday experience. Wolfe wrote this book to delineate the challenges that hinder setting our sights on heaven and the rewards that such an exercise can produce. After explaining to his children where he would be in the year 2084 in response to their questioning, it donned on him (based upon the year of his birth) that he would be long in heaven by that time. Wolfe stated that this "raised for me once again the issue of heavenly-mindedness." Wolfe asserts that Christians are to be a heavenly-minded people.
However, it has been Wolfe's experience that most Christians are not heavenly minded. As a matter of fact, he states that many are simply oblivious to their future eternal residence. Wolfe writes this book in two parts - part one to explain and identify the "world to come." In part two he writes about "the cure for what ails us," in other words, whey we struggle to be heavenly-minded, and what one can do about it.

The theme of Setting Our Sights on Heaven is what the bible's teaching is about heaven and the fact that we are to be heavenly-minded. The thesis of this book is that Christians ought to think about heaven as those who long for it and who are destined for it.

Wolfe has combined both exposition and argumentation in order to develop his thesis. Wolfe uses both explanation and analysis to present to the reader a clear road map as to why Christians are to think much about heaven. At the same time Wolfe is skilled at using the technique of argumentation to make his points clear, concise, and cohesive. The reader is not left to guess or wonder about what Wolfe is trying to say or what point he is making as he develops his thesis. Wolfe is very precise in his explanation and argumentation.

Setting Our Sights on Heaven is a very interesting book. Wolfe has the ability to capture the attention of the reader at the outset of picking up the book and holding the reader's attention throughout the book.Wolfe is extremely accurate in his proposition, his exegesis of scriptural passages, and his offers of "proof." This is an important book for believers to read in order to be challenged biblically and not merely emotionally to become people whose minds are fixed on their future heavenly abode. This book is an extremely valuable tool for today's believers and they will find it to be extremely useful.

Paul Wolfe is an associate pastor at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, VA. As a result he writes from a shepherd's perspective. He is an accomplished author having previously published My God is True! Lessons learned Along Cancer's Dark Road. The forward is written by Sinclair Ferguson. A recommendation is made by Alistair Begg.

Setting Our Sights on Heaven has a few footnotes peppered throughout various chapters. Their is no end note section nor bibliography. This book contains no index.

In summary, Setting Our Sights on Heaven is a very well written and useful book. It is my opinion that the content of this book has been well researched and offered in such a way to be both informative and inspirational. I found this book to be very challenging in my own life in regards to the question "are my sights set on heaven." Wolfe has been honest and direct as he has challenged the reader to assay his own heart in regards to this matter. Wolfe concludes with an example and quote from the great Puritan pastor Richard Baxter urging the reader to turn his/her thoughts from vain things to the study of eternity. The usage of this quote is very powerful and beneficial. I found Wolfe's summary in his final chapter to be both compelling and convincing.

_______________________________________________________
I received a free copy of this book and nothing else from the publisher. The opinions and thoughts offered are mine and mine alone, and not those of the author, publisher, distributor or anyone else connected to this project.

Religious News - NIV Still for Sale

2012-02-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

NASHVILLE – Complaints that the New International Version of the Bible (NIV) is inaccurate and too gender-inclusive are not going to stop one of the world's largest Christian resource producers from selling it.

The (Nashville) Tennessean file photo

Nashville-based Lifeway Christian Resources voted unanimously to keep selling the NIV Bible, while making clear the company doesn't endorse it.

Enlarge

The (Nashville) Tennessean file photo

Nashville-based Lifeway Christian Resources voted unanimously to keep selling the NIV Bible, while making clear the company doesn't endorse it.

That translation was criticized at the 2011 Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Phoenix. Church representatives there approved a resolution asking Nashville-based LifeWay Christian Resources — owned by the denomination — to take it off its shelves.

Critics said the translation, which was updated in 2011, is filled with errors when it comes to language about gender, using "brothers and sisters" instead of "brothers" and "they" instead of "he" for a single pronoun. That kind of approach undermines the authority of the Bible, they said. LifeWay's trustees disagreed.

After having a committee review the 2011 NIV, they voted unanimously this week to keep selling it, while making clear they don't endorse it.

"We do not believe the 2011 NIV rises to the level to where it should be pulled or censored or not carried in our retail chain," said Adam Greenway, a trustee who is senior associate dean of the Billy Graham School at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in a statement.

That decision disappointed the Rev. Tim Overton of Halteman Village Baptist Church in Muncie, Ind. Overton wrote the resolution against the NIV that passed in Phoenix.

His resolution initially was rejected by the committee that vets resolutions before they are presented at the annual meeting. But he brought it to a floor vote, where it was approved.

Overton, like many other Southern Baptists, believes in verbal plenary inspiration — the idea that every word of the original texts of the Bible comes from God. Adding words to a translation undermines that belief, he said.

"If it says 'brother' and you say 'brothers and sisters,' you are adding to the Scriptures," he said.

Marty King, spokesman for LifeWay, said a committee of trustees reviewed the NIV to decide whether it was acceptable. Under Southern Baptist rules, he said, they were not required to comply with the resolution, and representatives at the annual meeting had inaccurate information about the translation.

"People thought this Bible used female language for God," he said. "It does not. We think that messengers voted without accurate information."

First published in 1978 and updated several times since, the NIV remains one of the best-selling Bibles in the United States.

A previous update that used inclusive language, known as the Today's New International Version, flopped after being published in 2002. That year, Southern Baptists passed a resolution asking LifeWay not to sell the Today's New International Version, and the retailer agreed.

The latest update is a better translation, said George Guthrie, Benjamin W. Perry Professor of the Bible at Union University, a Baptist school in Jackson, Tenn. Guthrie spoke to the LifeWay trustees at their meeting, saying that the NIV is a thought-for-thought translation, rather than a word-for-word translation. That's a common approach used by many translators.

Guthrie said that the Committee on Bible Translation, which produced the NIV, did a good job.

"The NIV is not perfect," he said. "But it is a good translation."

The LifeWay decision was welcome news to the NIV's translators. Douglas Moo, the Kenneth T. Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., said he was confident that LifeWay would do the right thing and keep the NIV on the shelves.

"I am grateful for the decision, but there is a part of me that regrets that the decision needed to be made," he said.

Open Letter to Certain Critics

2012-02-23T04:00:00.001-08:00

Open Letter to those who disagree and criticize John MacArthur for Publishing a MacArthur Study Bible using the New International Version translation (NIV)

This is my first ever open letter to anyone. Well, maybe it isn't a letter, it's more like a note.

Well, maybe it isn't it a note, it's more like a paragraph.

That's it, my first ever open paragraph!

For the record I do not like the NIV anymore than you do. However, who are you to criticize, condemn, or charge MacArthur with improper motives? So, I say to you:

When you pastor a single church for over 40 years, serve as an exemplary president of a bible college and seminary, teach the word of God expositionally for over 40 years, raise 4 children who love and serve the Lord, and maintain a pure and devoted marriage, without a hint of scandal, then you can do the following two things:

1) Criticize him

2) Publish your own Study Bible using the translation of your choice

Sincerely Yours,

Gregg Metcalf

Kelso, WA

Defining Discipleship

2012-02-22T04:00:00.000-08:00

It is clear to me that in this day and age it have never been more important to have a working and biblical definition of the word disciple. More than ever it seems this term is being redefined or used in ways it was never meant.

The biblical term μαθητης (math-ay-tes’) means learner or pupil. We see this usage in many passages in the gospels. In one instance we see Christ make the statement that a "disciple" (pupil or learner) is not above or different than his "teacher." (Luke 6:4) We also see that conditions were placed on those who considered themselves to be disciples. (Luke 9:23) What is a disciple? What is a good working definition? Without adding a burden to this term or making it out to be something it is not, how are we to understand the term disciple?

A Disciple is one who is:

CONVERTED - A disciple is one who is following Christ. A disciple has surrendered to Jesus as both Savior and Lord. A disciple is one who says, "I know the Lord and Savior and I submit to Him as my authority."

CHANGED - A disciple is one who is imitating Christ. Jesus said that we would know a tree by its fruit. (Matt 7:17-20) Jesus did not imply disciples would be known by perfect fruit; He meant by those who are growing and exhibiting the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As a disciple spends time following and imitating Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ changes us internally. Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, changes who a disciple is.

COMMITTED - A disciple is one who is serving Christ. Jesus saves disciples for a purpose. God's mission becomes the mission of each and every disciple. Disciples recognize that they are now responsible for be a part of the fulfillment of the great Commission. Disciples become those who make disciples who in turn make disciples. Disciples who make disciples who make disciples.

As a result, growing disciples experience real learning, experience real loving, and experience real living. A disciple learns to follow Christ, learns to imitate Christ, and learns to serve Christ

___________________________________________
Bibliography

Jim Putman, real-life discipleship (Colorado Springs: NAVPRESS), 2010
Leroy Eims, The Lost Art of Disciple Making, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House,) 1978
Robert E. Coleman, (The Master Plan of Discipleship, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House), 1987

Daily Grace...

2012-02-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

Tuesday

Love in the Truth

The Elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth…

(2 John 1)

The writer of this letter did not choose to conform to the standard practice of letter writers during the life and times of Christ. The writer did not identify himself in the beginning of this letter but simply chose the term “the Elder.” This self-designation only occurs in the two letters of John the Apostle.

We know three things about the time that this letter was written. First, the term elder was commonly used in the local churches to designate those who taught and governed the local church. Second, we know from tradition that John served with the elders in the church of Ephesus during the last 25 years of his life. Third, the writer used the definite article “the” and not the word “an.” Most theologians believe this establishes and indicates the unique position and authority of the writer. John, the last living apostle and disciple of Jesus Christ, as the elder writes with apostolic authority to this “elect lady” and “her children.”

There are two schools of thought as to the identity of this lady and her children. The first school of thought believes this to be a figurative use and reference. The thought is that the lady represents a local church that John is writing to and the children represent the individual members of the congregation. The second school of thought believes this to be a literal use and reference. They would hold that this is a specific woman that John knows and that the children are actual children that resulted from the union of this particular woman and her husband. This woman is probably a widow.

Regardless of the school of thought that you choose to go along with, it is John’s sentiment and confidence in the love and truth of Christ with which we are to gripped with. John has real and clear feelings of Christian love for this woman and her children. John stresses his personal feelings of love for her as a believer.

This love is not the word one would use for personal affection or friendship. It is the highest level of ethical love that is characteristic of God himself. Why does John love her so? What kind of love does he have?

It is a love that operates and emanates from the realm of “the truth.” This is the truth that is embodied in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. John’s love issues forth from the fact that both this lady, along with her children, and John have placed their faith in the divinely inspired truth which God revealed in the incarnate Christ. John loves this woman because both she and he have believed God’s message of reconciliation in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John assures her that not only does he love her for this reason but all who know the Lord Jesus Christ in this manner loves her also. As believers we love all who are in Christ as evidenced by their walking in the truth, verse 4. You and I are to love believers with the love characterized by God because they are believers. This is why we can love in particular each believer in our own local churches. We love them not because they are lovable, lovely, or even loving, but because they too by virtue of believing the message of God revealed in Christ belong to God.

ASK YOURSELF

What effect does this passage have on your life? How do you view each and every member of your local body? What does this passage expose in your life about your “feelings” for every member? Do you love just a few, like those who love you or can benefit you? Do you love even the most difficult, not because they deserve it, but because they are God’s child also?

Should We Be Surprised?

2012-02-20T05:29:00.000-08:00

On February 15, 2012, SI.Com (on line rendition of the print magazine, Sports Illustrated) released a story of drug use and drug arrests at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth Texas. SI.Com reported that some 17 students were arrested after authorities conducted a six month “sting.” Apparently this was reported as “especially embarrassing” because it included at least four members of the high profile football team.

I was asked “Could you write your thoughts on Christians & illegal recreational drug use and abuse. This is such a huge and "live" issue among Christian youth and adults today, just as "fornication" - sex outside of the context of marriage and "living together outside of marriage is, which I'd like to have you write your biblical thoughts on. This "sin of drug use" issue is even more in the forefront now because of the recent prime example of TCU's major drug bust.” Today I will offer my thoughts on this issue as requested. Do not be surprised if they are not what you would have expected.

The question at hand is, “Have so-called Christians became so much a part of the godless secular world today that there is no biblical "right" or "wrong" and are unholy nominal Christians at best?” I don’t think this is the right question. Quite frankly, if we chase the answer to this question or questions like it we won’t get anywhere near the problem.

I think the problem lies with this statement made by Chris Del Conte, “I expect our student-athletes to serve as ambassadors for the university and will not tolerate behavior that reflects poorly on TCU, the athletics department, our teams or other student-athletes within the department," athletic director Chris Del Conte said. "Our student-athletes are a microcosm of society and unfortunately that means some of our players reflect a culture that glorifies drugs and drug use. That mindset is not reflected by TCU nor will it be allowed within athletics."

The students, those that really are Christians are to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ. We must first start with this question, who says Texas Christian University is “Christian” and who says these students are Christians. Simply saying one is a Christian has never made anyone a Christian. Are these “Christians” who have become part of the godless secular world and have become “nominal” Christians at best? Or, are these individuals who have been deceived by the convoluted, re-defined, and false Christianity being hawked today?

True believers have put off the deeds of the flesh, make no provision for the flesh, have died to sin, walk worthy of their calling, and have set their mind on the things of the Spirit knowing that the things of the flesh lead to death. It does not surprise me that we have such individuals who seem to have their feet in two camps, one the world, and one in some hope of a heaven which is administrated by a “god” of their own imagination. (Ephesians 4:22, Colossians 3:8-9, Romans 13:14, Romans 6:2, Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:10, Colossians 3:1)

I am not surprised by the lifestyle of today’s youth in particular who claim to be Christians and yet live like those who do not know our Lord and Savior. It is not the fault of Christianity or the gospel which is the power of God that transforms creatures of darkness into creatures who are being changed into God’s image. When you have a deceptive and bad presentation of the “gospel” and what defines modern Christianity, you reap a product that involves people remaining in a lifestyle that includes drugs, sex outside of marriage, alcohol abuse, and etc.

Let me say two things here quickly before you have a conniption fit. First, I realize that no one can truly know the heart of any individual. Only God can. Therefore, it is possible some of the students at TCU might be true believers. Second, I realize that true Christians do and often sin, some grossly. However, they do not sin continually as a way of life, nor do they live without the discipline of God upon their lives bringing them to repentance, restoration, and rejection of their sinful lifestyle.

I am never surprised when a blind man runs into a wall. He can’t see it. I am never surprised when a lost man lives like a lost man. I expect that. I am not surprised, although tremendously grieved, when I hear of individuals who have been offered a “Christianity” which is not biblical and the product is opposite of what we expect from the Scriptures.

We need to go back to the basics. We need to revisit the doctrine of conversion. Are we really dealing with believers? Are pastors of our so called evangelical bible churches really saved? Are the majority of people in the church today really saved? I think we are seeing a growing number of churches filling up more and more with tares rather than wheat. This is why churches are “life-less”, anemic, and seem to make no impact on the community around them.

What happened at TCU is tragic. What is happening to the church at large and believers in general is tragic. Let’s rid ourselves of this Charles Finney idea of “carnal” or “nominal” Christians and let’s get back to preaching the gospel of the bible. Let’s reintroduce Christianity to our churches and colleges.

2012-02-19T04:00:00.000-08:00

--Without me, saith Christ, you can do nothing; neither without him can we endure any thing. And he only can support the sinking soul under the most smarting troubles and heavy oppressions.

--We may safely sail through Christ's blood into the bosom of the Father.

--Truth, not words, feeds the soul: and I much rather desire, in my ministry, to profit, than to please, my auditory.

--Former failings bewailed, shall not interrupt the course of future kindness.

Simeon Ashe

(died 1662) was an English nonconformist clergyman, a member of the Westminster Assembly and chaplain to the Parliamentary leader Edward Montagu, 2nd Earl of Manchester.)

2012-02-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

"Don't let worry kill you - let the church help!"

2012-02-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

For Your Friday!

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Happy Birthday to my second daughter, Sonja A. Abramson of Milwaukie, OR! Happy Birthday SAM2!

The All Sufficient Scripture

2012-02-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

Verbatim

You have Scripture for a master instead of me; from there you can learn whatever you would know.” -John Chrysostom

“Among those things which are said openly in Scripture are to be found all those teachings which involve faith, the mores of living, and that hope and charity which we have discussed.” -Augustine, On Christian Doctrine trans. by D.W. Roberston, Jr. (New York: Liberal Arts Press, 1958) 11:9.

“The Church is to be judged by the Scriptures, not the Scriptures by the Church.” - John Wesley

“Let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth.” - Basil of Caesarea (c. 330 - 379 A.D.)

“The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word: and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.” Westminster Confession of Faith

“The fanaticism which discards the Scripture, under the pretense of resorting to immediate revelations is subversive of every principle of Christianity. For when they boast extravagantly of the Spirit, the tendency is always to bury the Word of God so they may make room for their own falsehoods.” - John Calvin

“I have convenanted with my Lord that he should not send me visions or dreams or even angels. I am content with this gift of the Scriptures, which teaches and supplies all that is necessary, both for this life and that which is to come.” - Martin Luther

You Can't Take It With You (When You Go)

2012-02-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

You Can’t Take With You (When You Go)

Gregg Metcalf

February 14, 2012

Now and then I look out my window

at the guy who lives across the street

he is never home he’s always on the go

he doesn’t know the meaning of retreat

Evidence of his dedication sits in his drive

All the trappings of his wealth is on display

he has never learned the meaning of deprive

he has all the latest toys so he can play

But there is one thing he’s never thought of…

Chorus:

While my little boat is in the water

His big boat sets there in the drive

While I am fishing with my daughter

He is still trying hard to arrive

My old Ford needs a little tender lovin’ care

It is no secret that our house is old I know

He doesn’t understand or seems to be aware

That you can’t take it with you when you go

we don’t have much- money is in short supply

our things are old- heck most are second hand

fact is we use up all we ever get or buy

we know that all these things don’t make a man

there are a lot of lessons that folks never learn

after all has been said or done, I still know

when you are done livin’ there’s one thing to discern

that you can’t take it with you when you go

Chorus:

While my little boat is in the water

His big boat sets there in the drive

While I am fishing with my daughter

He is still trying hard to arrive

My old Ford needs a little tender lovin’ care

It is no secret that our house is old I know

He doesn’t understand or seems to be aware

That you can’t take it with you when you go

Bridge:

When you drive your self to work each day

Keep in mind the end of time be sure to play, or...

Chorus:

While my little boat is in the water

Your big boat sets there in the drive

While I am fishing with my daughter

You are still trying hard to arrive

My old Ford needs a little tender lovin’ care

It is no secret that our house is old I know

You don't understand or seem to be aware

That you can’t take it with you when you go

Why Won't Johnny Preach?

2012-02-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

I am completely appalled, angry, apprehensive, and anxious right now. My bewilderment and bombastic rhetoric is directed at both congregant and pastor of the local churches in this area. I am still retching and reeling from Sunday’s so called worship service. I have recently moved to Kelso and I thought I would take some time and check out the churches in this community. The last few weeks we have been visiting around the local churches of Kelso.

Kelso is a neighboring city of Longview. West Kelso and Longview nuzzle up together at Cowlitz Way and Washington Way. West Kelso and main Kelso are separated by the Cowlitz River which can be crossed by the Allen Street Bridge or the Cowlitz Way Bridge. Kelso is a small city of approximately 12,000 residents. Kelso has some 30 places or so that call themselves “Churches.” Of course only about a dozen of those 30 some organizations can even be considered close to being a representative of the bride of Christ.

My frustration and frankness stems from this sincere question: doesn’t anybody preach the bible anymore? Does anyone know how to pick up the scripture and from a literal, historical, grammatical, and contextual set of hermeneutical rules exegete a passage of Scripture? By this I mean explain and expound what the original author had in mind and what the original audience understood and make relevant application of the ancient text.

All that was offered at (imagine that the name of the church is here but obscured by a blue-dot) was a topical lesson on forgiveness. The pastor apparently found a verse that had the word “forgiveness” in it and placed that short verse on the bulletin cover. We did not have to open our bibles because no text was explained. As a matter of fact we were never referenced to the bible. A few scriptures were “yanked” out of context. By the way, because only a certain portion of the “proof-text” verse touched on the topic, the entire verse was not quoted nor appeared on the transparency.

I am appalled at how the bible is actually being handled, or really mishandled. I am anxious for the congregation that sits under such “tofu” week after week after week. How can one grow strong if the beef is never served during a meal? This wasn’t even milk. When Paul spoke of milk he meant the milk of scripture. Listen to him, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. (Note: the milk is not topical porridge; it is the word of God, simple basic principles of God’s word) You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk (basic principles of God’s word) is unskilled in the word of righteousness (emphasis mine), since he is a child.” (Hebrews 5:12-13, ESV)

A 20 minute sermonette of a topical idea precariously supported by strings of verses “ripped” out of context is not strong meat. No wonder that most of these believers never cash a check out of the rich account of their inheritance in Christ. No wonder the community remains unreached. Of course 30 minutes of 7-11 music was on the menu. What is that? You don’t know what 7-11 music is? That is music where the same seven words are sung 11 times.

Why won’t Johnny preach? Why won’t Johnny wrestle with at text until he knows the mind of the author and has a word from God? Church members and officers need to take great care that their pastor “works at preaching” and that preaching is the main point of his ministry.

John MacArthur made this point with eloquent force during his sermon to the 1990 Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. How can church members encourage their pastor to make preaching his priority? Here are MacArthur's suggestions:

Fling him into his office, then tear the "Office" sign from the door, and replace it with a sign that says, "Study."

Take him off the mailing list. Lock him up with his books and his typewriter and his Bible. Slam him down on his knees before texts and broken hearts and the flick of lives of a superficial flock and a holy God.

Force him to be the one man in the community who knows about God. Throw him into the ring to box with God until he learns how short his arms are. Engage him to wrestle with God all the night through, and let him come out only when he's bruised and beaten into being a blessing.

Shut his mouth from forever spouting remarks and stop his tongue from forever tripping lightly over every non-essential. Require him to have something to say before he breaks the silence.

Burn his eyes with weary study. Wreck his emotional poise with worry for the things of God. Make him exchange his pious stance for a humble walk with God and man. Make him spend and be spent for the glory of God.

Rip out his telephone. Burn up his success sheets. Put water in his gas tank. Give him a Bible and tie him to the pulpit. Test him, quiz him, examine him. Humiliate him for his ignorance of things divine.

Shame him for his good comprehension of finance, batting averages and political party issues. Laugh at his frustrated effort to play psychiatrist. Form a choir, raise a chant and haunt him night and day with, "Sir, we would know God."

When at long last he does assay the pulpit, ask him if he has a word from God. If he doesn't, then dismiss him. Tell him you can read the paper. You can digest the television commentary. You can think through the day's superficial problems and manage the weary drives of the community and bless the assorted baked potatoes and green beans better than he can.

And when he does speak God's Word, listen. And when he's burned out finally by the flaming Word, consumed by the fiery grace blazing through him, and when he's privileged to translate the truth of God to man and finally is himself transferred from earth to heaven, bear him away gently. Blow a muted trumpet. Lay him down softly and place a two-edged sword on his coffin and raise the tune triumphant, for ere he died he had become a Man of God.

Book Review: Tyndale - The Man Who Gave God an English Voice

2012-02-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

Title: Tyndale: The Man Who Gave God an English Voice

Author: David Teems
First Copy Right: 2012
Type of Book: Paperback
General Subject: Biographical
Price: $15.99
ISBN: 978-1-5955-5221-1

The author’s purpose in writing this book is found in the prologue, p. xv; it is written in contrast to his book Majestie. Teems states that “Majestie laughs where Tyndale must grit its teeth. Teems states that this book will inform, amuse, and even entertain. He claims his book will even bewilder the reader. Teems explores the man William Tyndale in an age where Henry VIII, Anne Boylen, Mary I, Martin Luther, and the Roman Catholic church create what he calls “a rather humorless age.”

Theme: The effects of Roman Catholic domination on dissenters.

Thesis: Roman Catholic dogma protected and promoted by persecution of any considered as dissenters nearly prevented the translation of the bible into the English language.

Teems uses narration as his means to tell the story of who William Tyndale was, who he became, how his translation came about, and how the Roman Catholic church used its power to kill and destroy all those who opposed their doctrine and organizational structure.

With very little information available and known about William Tyndale, Teems does an excellent job on describing the times, the players, and the overall atmosphere that was present as William Tyndale became the first to translate the bible into the English language. Tyndale’s life was brief, just 42 years, but his legacy is undeniably the most important gift to the world since the giving of Jesus Christ by God the Father as a sacrifice for his people.

Teems goes into great detail about the age in which Tyndale was born and lived in order to give us an idea of what made this man what he was. Tyndale had a great passion for placing the Scriptures in the hands of the common man. He was uniquely gifted for languages and is credited with introducing extraordinary words and phrases into the English language. It is often reported that he was responded to a critic with this famous quote, “If God spares my life, ere many years, I will cause the boy that driveth the plow to know more the Scriptures than thou dost!”

With narration Teems weaves the information that we can verify concerning Tyndale’s life with the philosophical, intellectual, spiritual, religious, and practical dimensions leading up to is birth, his life, his monumental work, and his eventual death. Teems uses this information to demonstrate why it was so necessary to translate the Scripture into English and why the Roman Catholic hierarchy fought it so strenuously.

Teems traces Tyndale’s youth, education and his life. He gives us insight into the exile that Tyndale faced and his subsequent execution.

Tyndale is an extremely interesting book to read. It held my attention all the way through. Teems has done an excellent job on research of the people and events surrounding Tyndale and his translation. The reader will find a wealth of historical information. There is a complete section of end notes, appendix, and a bibliography.

David Teems is an accomplished writer having written To Love Is Christ, And Thereby Hangs a Tale, Majestie:The King behind the King James Bible, and Discovering Your Spiritual Center.

__________________________________________________

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from BookSneeze.

Overcoming the Dunghills

2012-02-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

Election having once pitched upon a man, it will find him out and call him home, wherever he be. It called Zaccheus out of accursed Jericho; Abraham out of idolatrous Ur of the Chaldees; Nicodemus and Paul, from the College of the Pharisees, Christ’s sworn enemies; Dionysius and Damaris, out of superstitious Athens. In whatsoever dunghills God’s elect are hid, election will find them out and bring them home.

John Arrowsmith (1602-1659)

1000th Blog Post!

2012-02-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

Gospel-driven Disciples celebrates 1000 Posts!

Who would have thunk it?

Certainly not me!

I began this blog on a cold and snowy February morning in a Motel Six room in Bend, Oregon. It was Thursday, February 19th, 2009.

I followed a link from a blog I had read, discovered Blogger, and wrote three short blogs that morning entitled:

Good News - Bad News
Sensational Statements
Where Would I Be (Without You)

My first post was a short attempt at simply sharing a gospel presentation.

I couldn't think of anything for a second post so I posted a quote from the Council of Orange, Canon 6

Two posts looked kind of lonely on that plain and uninspiring blogger page, so I posted a song I had written.

Since then I have been tagged, participated in blog fests, Monday Facts, written songs and poems, posted my opinion, written essays, articles, devotions, lessons, and even some gobbledygook. I have striven very hard to produce a first class, informative, and beneficial blog for your good and God's glory. I have also strove very hard to be true to my five reasons for this blog:

To exalt the glorious character of our Lord Jesus Christ

To expand a passion for the supremacy of God in all things

To expound the Scriptures in order to have an accurate understanding of the Word of God

To edify or build up my readers in the faith once for all time delivered to the saints

To expose my readers to a variety of spiritually beneficial topics, books, articles, thoughts, and people

If I ever loose sight of those five purposes or fail to consistently live up to them, I will put this blog to bed and be done with it. For it will no longer be of any eternal use or benefit.

So, I say two things to you today on the occasion of this 1,000 post:

First, Thank you so very much for reading this blog. Thank you to those who have chosen to follow and to make comments. I love you all so much and cannot tell you how grateful I am.

Second, “…if you find anything here that serves to your furtherance and joy of the faith, impute that to the mercy of God bestowed on you and me. Yours to serve you with what little I have.”

Praise Be to the Living God!

Top Ten Television "Truths?" - Truth #9

2012-02-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

"There are over six billion people in the world...

...but sometimes all you need is one."

From a narration in

One Tree Hill

Season Three, Episode 2

__________________________________

Disclaimer: I have never seen this series, nor is this an endorsement of it. I am simply intrigued at times with the profundity, power, or playfulness of humanistic philosophy.

The First Hacker

2012-02-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

Many of you over the last three years have followed a wonderful blog called the Old Geezer’s Blog. This blog was run by our good friend Ron from southern California. Ron has amused, amazed, agitated, and astonished us with his wholesome, winsome, and wiley posts about facts, figures, and fun. We looked forward to his blog each day and many followed Ron religiously. There is no doubt that his blog was one of the fastest growing and most popular blogs available.

Having come to know Ron my appreciation and love for him grew. He and I would communicate regularly through our emails. His spirit was sweet and his personality gregarious. Ron has a distinct purpose for his blog. Yes, behind the humor, hominess, and hospitality, Ron desired to magnify the majestic character of our glorious God and secondly, to be the greatest blessing to you as God was to him. Ron loves God, loves His dear Son, and loves you, his reader. What happened?

First, Ron did not die, nor is he sick or incapacitated. For those of you who thought he might need to be “committed,” he is alive and well. Second, Ron did not quit blogging because he no longer wanted to be a blessing to you. What happened?

Ron informed me by email, as he did many of you, that a hacker has “hacked” into his beloved blog and wreaked havoc. So much so that Ron decided to shut down The Old Geezer blog. Unable to deal with and fully fix the damage done by this unscrupulous hacker, Ron turned off the lights and Don Meredith from somewhere over the rainbow sang, “Turn out the lights, The Party is Over.”

I was reminded by Eddie Eddings of the Calvinistic Cartoon fame of the first hacker that ever hacked into a “system.” That hacker of course was Satan. Although we don’t have much detail to go on, we can put together enough of the puzzle to see this evil “hacker” and his dastardly deed.

Genesis 1 tells us that for unknown reason God stepped out of eternity and chose to create the heavens and the earth. God spoke and new things came into existence. For example God said let light be, or thanks to William Tyndale, let there be light and there was light. The inspired account tells us that each day God spoke something new into existence such as light, the sun, and the moon, vegetation, plants, trees, fish, birds, and animals. Interesting enough, God didn’t speak man into existence, He reached down into the red clay dirt and “formed” man from the dust and then breathed into him life. The unique thing we read in this account is that God saw all that he had created was good and He declared all that he created as good. It was all good and perfect without flaw or fracture.

We don’t need to be rocket scientists to see wicked, evil, unrighteous, or not so good permeating this earth. Men do evil things. God calls it sin. How did that happen? Why did it happen? Well, let me assure you the first question is far easier to answer than the second. As a matter of fact the second might never be answered this side of eternity.

As far as the first question, how did this happen? It was the work of a hacker. The first hacker to ever hack into anything as a matter of fact.

Genesis 1:1 tells us clearly and definitively that God created the heavens and the earth. There are no apologies, no explanations, no proof offered, just a bold declarative statement that God created the heavens and the earth. Even though the sun and the moon were not created until day four, on day one God made day and night.

Job 38:7 says, “…when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” This tells us that when God spoke the heavens and earth into existence, or as Job says “…when I laid the foundation of the earth…” angels were present and sang and cheered God when the earth, though void and dark came into existence. This means that God created the angels at the first moment of creation as the created the heavens and the earth. He spoke the heavens into existence, created the angels causing them to observe the rest of creation and as they watched God create with such glory, power, beauty, and so god-like the angels sang and cheered.

Among those angels who were created on day one was a beautiful and glorious angel named Lucifer. God chose to create the angels, Adam, and Eve with the ability to choose good or its opposite, evil. Lucifer, seeing the power God exhibited in the creative act, the glory given him by the singing and cheering angels decided to choose the opposite of good and usurp the place of God. In choosing the opposite of good, evil became known to Lucifer and then to one third of the angels who chose the opposite of good and to follow after Lucifer. Lucifer became the opposite of God, he became by his own choosing evil and unrighteous.

Lucifer now hated God and all the good that God had created. Lucifer saw God create in His own image his crowning glory of creation, man. Lucifer, as the epitome of evil determined to destroy or corrupt the good that God had created. Lucifer decided to hack into the creation of God.

Hence, the first hacker. Lucifer hacked his way into the psyche of the serpent. He infiltrated and invaded this beautiful creature and rerouted its circuitry. He caused the serpent to speak to Eve and to corrupt God’s words to her and Adam. Having been hacked into, Eve chose the opposite of good and ate the forbidden fruit. Having been fully hacked into and under the control of evil she gave the fruit to her husband who willingly ate of the forbidden fruit. God’s creation had been corrupted. God’s creation had been hacked. Evil was now a part of creation. Why God allowed this to happen is almost beyond us. All we can say is that God’s glorious character is yet made known even through the evil that came into existence as the first hacker did his dirty work.

Ron may or may not be able to overcome the damage that has been done to his wonderful blog. Ron may or may not come back on line as The Old Geezer, but rest assured that when God chooses to He will overcome Lucifer, the great hacker and repair all that this wicked and evil angel has done.

Ode To Uriah

2012-02-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

I read II Samuel 11 Sunday morning during my devotion. A former professor of mine always referred to this as the "black chapter" of David's life. It is amazing to me that God would inspire the bible writer to include all the ugly warts of God's children including this ugly event in David's life. Had man written the bible apart from any influence of God, we probably would have left out the warts. As I meditated on this chapter this poem came to mind.

Ode to Uriah

Gregg Metcalf

February 5^th, 2012

Uriah was a valiant man

who served David well

He fought like a wild man

And many an enemy fell

Uriah was a married man

He had a beautiful wife

One day David saw her

and forever changed her life

David sent for this woman

Who bathed on the roof top

Her beauty was spell binding

David never thought to stop

He laid down with this woman

who did not belong to him

While her husband fought bravely

David commited this great sin

The woman went back to her home

She returned to what was her life

Soon she knew she was pregnant

Although she was Uriah’s wife

So she sent word to David

That a baby was near

David thought long and hard

And soon David had an idea

He sent for Uriah that day

Come home Uriah for a bit of rest

Go home Uriah go see your wife

Uriah returned at David’s behest

Uriah was a remarkable man

He didn’t go home he didn’t yield

He stayed with the soldiers

He slept with them in the field

David by now was a little upset

He ate with Uriah and gave him wine

Now his great sin would be covered

Surely Uriah would go home this time

When the sun went down that night

Uriah didn’t go home like the plan

He laid on the couch of David his lord

Uriah was a remarkable man

So David plotted to take his life

Uriah must die to cover David’s sin

No one must know what David had done

He knew how to get rid of him

He told Joab his general in charge

Place Uriah where the battle was hot

Let the enemy advance to the place

Where they could get a clear shot

So Joab did as His King did command

Uriah was placed in the thick of the fight

The men were ordered to retreat

The enemy overpowered him with might

Joab sent word back to David the King

Uriah the Hittite is among all the dead

David told the general that it was ok

Overthrow the city and do not dread

Bathsheba heard her husband had died

She mourned him for a little spell

David sent for her to come and live with him

OH Uriah you served David well

This Is Salvation!

2012-02-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a clear and definitive statement of salvation - this is how God receives all the glory as the author and finisher of our faith, which leaves you and me absolutely no room to boast:

Thy grace has given me faith in the cross by which thou has reconciled thyself to me and me to thee, drawing me by thy great love, reckoning me as innocent in Christ though guilty myself.

-Valley of Vision, ed. Arthur Bennett, p. 171

2012-02-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

Anthropomorphism

This word is not found in the bible. It comes from two Greek words, ανθρωπος (anth’-ro-pos) and μορφη (mor-fay’). These two words when put together they mean a figure of speech that describes God as having human form with such things as feet, hands, mouth, and heart. It can also include such things as human attributes or emotions.

These anthropomorphisms help us to understand God in a broader sense by using such things in order to relate to the world in which we live and know. For example, when Scripture says “…so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD God forever.” (Joshua 4:24, ESV)

We know God is a non-corporeal spirit being with no form or shape. We as human beings know that the “hand of a man” represents strength. When Joshua, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, assures Israel that God is strong or powerful, powerful enough to give them cause to fear their God by using the anthropomorphic expression “the hand of the Lord.”

When You Understand God...

2012-02-05T04:00:00.000-08:00

Everyone who understands the nature of God rightly necessarily knows that God is to be believed and hoped in, that he is to be loved and called upon, and to be heard in all things.

William Ames

(1576 – 14 November 1633)

2012-02-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday's Humor and Faith

In The Cradle

2012-02-03T04:00:00.001-08:00

In The Cradle
Gregg Metcalf
(February 3, 2012)

I extend my apologies to Mac (Scott) Davis who wrote both the words and music to the song this little ditty is based upon, In The Ghetto. I also apologize to Elvis Presley who recorded it in 1969 as a comeback hit - his first in over four years.

This song was originally entitled In the Ghetto (The Vicious Circle). Elvis's promoters pushed to have Davis drop the subtitle before they pitched it to Elvis.

I am reflecting on my 57th birthday today and figured if I were to ever have a song written about my life, I would probably be the only one to think of it. So here goes:

As the snow flies

On a cold and gray Ohio night

A brand new baby boy arrives

In the cradle

And his mama cries

Cause there’s one thing that’s made her plead

It’s a little bundle of joy from daddy’s seed

In the cradle

Pro-choicer’s don’t you understand

He’s a gift from God’s own hand

He’ll grow to be a man of God one day

Give thanks for God’s grace

As we look upon his face

We cannot simply turn our heads

And fail to see

God’s plan for him

And a brand new baby boy with rosie cheeks

Lies next to his mother tucked in the sheets

In the cradle

And his faith is large

So he starts to preach the holy writ

And he learns how to pray

And he learns how to worship

From the cradle

Then one night with expectation

A young man makes a way

He buys a ring, asks the girl

Will she now share his world

And his mother cries

As a crowd gathers round a happy couple

They all know this family one day will double

In the cradle

As this young couple waits

On a warm and blue California morn

Another little baby child is born

In the cradle

And her mamma cries

Word Study: Temptation from Matthew 6:13

2012-02-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Word Study: The English word “temptation” in Matthew 6:13

“…lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matt. 6:13, ESV)

King James Version translates the Greek word as “temptation”

New King James translates the Greek word as “temptation”

New American Standard Bible translates the Greek word as “temptation”

Revised Standard Version translates the Greek word as “temptation”

New International Version translates the Greek word as “temptation”

Young’s Literal Translation translates the Greek word as “temptation”

Bible in Basic English translates the Greek word as “temptation”

Holman Christian Standard translates the Greek word as “temptation”

The New Living Translation translates the Greek word as “temptation”

In all of these translations the translators decided to stay with the English word “temptation” rather than seek a suitable synonym or different meaning.

If we accept the integrity of these translators and translations, we can initially conclude that included in a model prayer for believers is the petition that God would not lead a believer into temptation, or into an opportunity which would lead to or result in sin.

Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary (1969) defines temptation as: 1: the act of tempting or the state of being tempted esp. to evil: ENTICEMENT 2: something tempting: a cause or occasion of enticement.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (p. 1003) shows that temptation appears again (in the KJV text) in:

Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(KVV)

Zondervan New American Standard Bible Exhaustive Concordance (p. 1094) shows that temptation appears again (in the NAS text) in:

Matthew 26:41 – “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (NASB)

The Crossway Comprehensive Concordance of the Holy Bible, English Standard Version (A Comprehensive Concordance of Biblical Words Providing Easy Access to Every Verse in the Bible) shows that temptation appears again in:

Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (ESV)

Please note that the word for temptation is used in other writings by New Testament writers. However, we are looking at how Matthew used this word. The other writers may have used it in a way that has no direct bearing on Matthew 6:13. Normally a writer will use the same word in the same way in the same writing.

New Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (p.499) tells us that temptation in Matthew 6:13 translates the Greek word πειρασμος (peirasmos - pi-ras-mos’). Thayer’s defines this word as an experiment, attempt, trial, proving. A. a universal trial or proving. B. specifically the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (p.56) tells that temptation comes from the word peirazo, a putting to proof by experiment or experience by adversity.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (p. 622) gives us some additional insight into our word. Vine’s states it is used of 1) “trials” with a beneficial purpose and effect and 2) of “trial” definitely designed to lead to wrong doing, “temptation.”

It seems that our word πειρασμος (peirasmos - pi-ras-mos’) can mean either “a proving by an experience of trial or adversity and a solicitation to do evil, or sin. Our context must govern our choice and selection of how we translate it.

Word Studies in the New Testament (Vincent, p. 43) tells us “It is a mistake to define this word as only solicitation to evil. It means trial of any kind without reference to its moral quality. We cannot pray God not to tempt us to sin, “for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” (James 1:13, KJV)

A. T. Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament says (p. 54) “bring or lead” bothers many people. It seems to present God as an active agent in subjecting us to temptation, a thing specifically denied in James 1:13. The word here translated temptation means originally “trial” or “test” as in James 1:2 and Vincent so takes it here.

Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament (p.18) defines πειρασμος (peirasmos - pi-ras-mos’) as either “test” or “temptation.”

Barnes on the New Testament writes (p.68) the word temptation sometimes means “trial, affliction”, or anything that “tests” our virtue. If this be the meaning, as it may be, then the import of the prayer is, “Do not afflict or try us.” It is not wrong to pray that we may be saved from suffering if it be the will of God.

The Gospel of Matthew, Vol 1 (Barclay, p. 224-225) states, “To modern ears the word tempt is always a bad word; it always means to seek to seduce into evil. But in the bible the verb πειρασμος (peirasmos - pi-ras-mos’) is often better translated by the word test than by the word tempt. In the New Testament usage to tempt a person is not so much to seek to seduce him into sin, as it is to test his strength and his loyalty and his ability for service.”

The lexical sense or usage of our word πειρασμος (peirasmos - pi-ras-mos’) is that of “test” or “try.” It is not in this case used to infer a solicitation to do evil. This would be inconsistent with the context.

It seems that Jesus when he gave this model prayer or example of a prayer for his disciples told his disciples it was permitted to ask God, their Father, to not lead them into trials, tests, adversities designed to prove their faith, loyalty, or sincerity because frail as they were, they feared falling into the power of the Satan, the evil one.

The disciples knew their weakness and propensity to succumb to the pressure of the adversity of the evil one. Peter knew only too well. Although God tested or proved them in many adversarial occasions, they were permitted to pray that he might not prove them in such a way.

Ultimately, Jesus gave permission for the disciples to pray that God might not lead them into adversity in order to try their loyalty or test their sincerity since they knew how weak they really were and how powerful Satan was so that they might not fail and enter into sin. They were not instructed to pray that God would not lead them into any temptation that would cause them to sin.

Therefore, you and I today, even though we know that God will test and try us through trials and circumstances, it is permitted to ask God not to do so if at that moment it would be pleasing to him and in accordance with his will for our lives.

_____________________________________________________
Happy 53rd Birthday to my dear brother Craig L. Metcalf of Houston, Texas! Happy Birthday Craig!

Sleep, A Formidable Instructor, Part II

2012-02-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil, for he gives to his beloved sleep.” (Psalms 127:2, ESV)

I hope you have had some time to contemplate on the instructional value of “sleep.” Have you chosen to add sleep to your list of the great teachers who helped shape you into what you are today? If you remember we listed at least three things sleep can teach us in yesterday’s post. They are:

sleep derives from God as a gift

sleep develops our faith

sleep diminishes greed and anxiety

If I were a betting man, at least more than a quarter or dollar, I would bet that most of you would never guess the most important lesson that sleep teaches us. As a matter of fact many of you will think I am absolutely nuts as you read further. Please, re-open your mind when you are feeling it slam shut and give some consideration to a “divine” of the past.

Remember, God has promised to give those whom He loves sleep. Therefore, it is not wrong to ask God for this restoring, restful, and rejuvenating commodity for the toil of our tomorrow. It also is not wrong to ask God as we lay ourselves down to sleep that our dreams would not be “tinged” with evil or wickedness. It should be our desire that our rest be a time of “blessed temple of His holy presence.”

Now comes the “food for thought.” Our frequent laying down makes us mindful of our impending death. The bed we climb into pictures the grave that we will lay in one day. As we close our eyes we should be mindful of the time when our eyes will close for a final time. Why would I equate something so grand, so great, and as good as sleep with a reminder of our impending death?

First, we need to be mindful of the fact that our life is like a vapor. Our time is short in this life in comparison to eternity. We are told a number of times to number our days, to live wisely, to redeem our time, to make the most of the time that God has chosen to allot to us. God has determined the exact amount of days that each one of us will live in this life as we know it. We need to be reminded that we are not immortal in this present age. One day this mortality will put on immortality and that day could be today.

Second, we need to use sleep as an instructor to enable us to weaken our attachment on earthy things. We need a reminder to hold our life “loosely” in our hands knowing that we have only received this life as a gift from God and that we must surrender it to Him on the day that He has appointed.

Thirdly believer, as you retire at night, retire in full assurance of one day awakening in the presence of God. This is our hope, this is the end of the gospel of grace, and this is the benefit of the unspeakable gift of God’s grace in the Lord Jesus Christ. To be absent from the body you remember will be our presence with the Lord.

Finally, sleep can teach us that when we lie helpless and our conscience accuses us of sin, or when our minds are being harassed by troubling thoughts, or when our eyes are held open by anxiety, we can turn to God as our solace. God is our balm for every wound, a remedy for every pain, a peace for all of our disquietude.

This is why we are to commit ourselves to Him whether we are awake or sleep.

_________________________________________

What do you think?

Sleep: A Formidable Instructor, Part I

2012-01-31T04:00:00.000-08:00

We often attribute the qualities of our character to great teachers in our past. Most, if not all, of these teachers are usually people who have been joined to our lives by circumstance or chance. Nannies, nurses, teachers, tutors, friends and even foes positively or negatively contribute to our emotional, spiritual, educational, and intellectual development.

It seems that only on the rarest of occasion do we attribute our development to inanimate entities. When we do speak of these things we have a tendency to refer to them with such colorful monikers as “the school of hard knocks,” “education by trial and tribulation,” “baptized by fire,”, or “learning the hard way.” However, failure to be fully aware of our surroundings can cause us to miss some equally great teachers and great lessons.

One inanimate entity that is rarely recognized as a great teacher is that of “sleep.” When was the last time you thought of “sleep” as your instructor, let alone the important lessons that sleep can teach you? I guess the first question to really consider would be, “what could sleep possibly teach us?”

“It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil, for he gives to his beloved sleep.” (Psalms 127:2, ESV)

The first thing that we see in this passage is that sleep derives from God as a gift. God gives his children sleep. We do not have to endure guilt or anxiety in regards to our employment or enjoyment of sleep. God created the human body with the capacity to require sleep.

Like any gift from God, sleep can be abused. When we try to either go without sleep or we spend an inordinate amount of time asleep we are abusing this great gift. On the rarest of occasions, such as illness, injury, or insensibility, we may sleep more than the typical required amount in order to heal emotionally or physically.

The second thing we see in this passage is that sleep develops our faith. When we sleep we are forced to cease trusting in ourselves and our abilities and trust God. We are driven by our need of sleep to recognize that we have limitations. We are not indestructible or invincible. We are bound by our limitations. We are taught that we don’t have to work all of the time to have and maintain the things that we need. God knows what we need and will provide them. He will provide them even during a time of sleep.

The third thing we see in this passage is that sleep diminishes greed and anxiety. It is interesting to note that Solomon unequivocally states that it is vain, fruitless, lacking substance or worth; it is to no avail or success, to get up extremely early and to stay up extremely late to plant or harvest. Rising early or retiring late will not make our food grow any faster or with a great yield. You might set up to watch corn grow, but it won’t grow any faster because you are watching it. Mind you this was written by an agrarian king in an agrarian society. We don’t plant and harvest as they did in Solomon’s time, but we soon learn the similar tendency to work harder than smarter and to worry about what we cannot control.

Enjoy this great gift from God! Remember, to not abuse it by refusing sleep, over indulging in sleep, or becoming anxious because sleep curtails our activities in acquiring things we think we need or want. Also, remember to give thanks to God for this precious gift.

Tomorrow we will conclude this short examination of sleep with the greatest lesson teaches us. This lesson is not in this passage, but never-the-less, it is extremely valuable.

Supreme Court: Churches Protected From Bias Suits

2012-01-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that certain employees of church-run schools and other religious organizations cannot sue for job bias. The unanimous decision stresses the need of religious groups to carry out their mission without government interference.

In one of the most important church-state cases in years, the justices recognized a "ministerial exception" to federal protections against job discrimination, a stance that had been adopted by several lower federal courts.

Wednesday's decision did not fully define who would be covered but suggested that any people connected to the religious mission of the institution, even with minimal related duties, would be covered.

"The interest of society in the enforcement of employment discrimination statutes is undoubtedly important," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. "But so too is the interest of religious groups in choosing who will preach their beliefs, teach their faith and carry out their mission." (emphasis mine)

Conversion is a work of God!

2012-01-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

“Conversion is a work above man's power. We are 'born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God' (John 1:13). Never think you can convert yourself. If ever you would be savingly converted, you must despair of doing it in your own strength. It is a resurrection from the dead (Ephesians 2:1), a new creation (Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10), a work of absolute omnipotence (Ephesians 1:19). Are not these out of the reach of human power? ... This is a supernatural work ... 'Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but of mercy he saved us' ... 'Of his own will he begat us' (James 1:18). We are chosen and called unto sanctification, not for it (Ephesians 1:4). God finds nothing in man to turn His heart, but enough to turn His stomach; He finds enough to provoke His loathing, but nothing to excite His love. Look back upon yourself, O Christian! Reflect upon your swinish nature, your filthy swill, your once beloved mire (2 Peter 2). Behold your slime and corruption ... How then should holiness and purity love you? ... Who but must needs cry, Grace! Grace! ... What but free grace could move God to love you.”

Joseph Alleine, "A Sure Guide to Heaven"

The Long and the Short of It...

2012-01-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday's Humor and Faith

If "Jesus Wept" (John 11:35) is the shortest verse in the English Bible, what is the longest sentence in the English language?"

(Scroll down to view answer)

"I do"

Top Ten Television "Truths?" - Truth # 10

2012-01-27T04:00:00.000-08:00

"Cat heaven is a wonderful place,

but you don't get there if you are euthanized."

--Angela Martin

The Office, Season 4, Episode 1

(Angela is holding a photo of herself and Sprinkles prior to Dwight euthanizing her)

_______________________________________________

Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement of this series. I am simply intrigued at times with the profundity, power, or playfulness of humanistic philosophy. This was just "profound" and "humorous" enough to take a place on my "irreverent" Friday's.

Apostasy

2012-01-26T04:00:00.000-08:00

Apostasy. Deliberate repudiation and abandonment of the faith that one has professed. Apostasy differs from heresy. A heretic denies an aspect of the Christian faith retains or maintains the name of "Christian."

Examples of apostasy are found throughout the bible - Demas (II Tim. 4:12), Hymenaeus and Alexander (I Tim. 1:20)

The apostles warned that apostasy would rise in the church which would culminate in the appearance of the "Man of Sin" (II Thess. 2:3; I Tim. 4:1-2)

The New Testament gives numerous warning to believers to avoid the danger of apostasy and the consequences of falling way from the Faith. (Heb. 6:5-8; 10:26)

Emperor Julian (361-363) renounced the Christian faith and attempted vigorously to reestablish paganism in the Roman Empire was a famous apostate who became known as "The Apostate."

The early church faced ten major and official periods of persecution. These persecutions resulted in some believers to renounce their faith in order to retain their lives. The church was divided over whether these "apostates" could be restored to the faith and the church. Some were readmitted with a public confession of guilt and repentance.

_________________________________
Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd ed,( Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, 1984, 2001), p. 85

Engedi

2012-01-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

En Gedi's fame comes out of the story of David and King Saul. In I Sammuel 24 we are told that Saul was looking to take David's life. David and his men go up into the mountain of En Gedi to hide from Saul. God has told David that the time would come that, "his enemy would be given into his hands to do as he thought best." In this case David and his men find this place of solace. They hide deep in the recesses of the mountain. Saul brings 3000 men from Jerusalem to find and kill David. They are combing the mountain. Saul needs to "relieve himself" and goes into the very cave in which David is hiding. David's men see this as David's chance to end the conflict. David thinks about it and sneaks up behind Saul and cuts off the corner of his cloak. David then returns to his men. He tells them that after much thought he knows Saul to be God's anointed King. He believes it is not his right to harm him. He convinces them to leave Saul alone. King Saul later leaves the cave. As he is descending the mountain David calls out to him and shows him the corner of his cloak. He pledges to Saul that he will not, and does not want to, harm the anointed of God. He tells him that surely this should convince Saul that there is no need to hunt him down. David assures him that he is not, and never will be, a threat to Saul or his Kingdom. This could be the very pool of water that David drank from and bathed in while hiding from King Saul.

Sexperiment 2011?

2012-01-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

A Piece of My Mind…

Don’t you hate conversations that begin with, “Well, I am no prude, but…?” I assure you that I am no prude nor do I shy away from legitimate conversations about sex. After coming across an article by David Shariatmadari in The Guardian, dated January 9, 2012 I feel compelled to weigh in.

According to Shariatmadari’s article Ed and Lisa Young spent 24 hours in a bed on the roof of his Dallas/Grapevine Texas church building in what they call a Sexperiment Bed-in. Their mission apparently was to “underline the importance of regular sex between married Christian couples. I suspect, tongue-in-cheek, Shariatmadari stated that Ed and Lisa Young would NOT practice what he intended to preach, at least not on that occasion.

Young streamlined the event live on his website. The Young’s gave interviews, answered relationship questions, and “taught” on God’s purpose for intimacy in marriage.”

Your first question is probably, why? Well, it seems the Young’s have written a book called Sexperiement which calls for a “seven-day sex challenge” for married couples. The point seems to be to encourage couples to have sex every day for a full week in order to “experience the power of marriage done God’s way.”

Cori, a commenter on Young’s website wrote, “Good one Pastor Young for talking about this in the church – for too long we’ve been embarrassed to talk about sex, and the devil has had a field day – time for Christians to take back what belongs to us!”

Lisa Young told CNN: “For far too long the church has been silent about a subject God was not silent about. He certainly is the author and creator of sex, so why would we not, in the context of church, speak about something that he (God) was not bashful about?”

There is no doubt sex is not only created by God but it is a gift of God to His children for both pleasure and pro-creation. Someone once said, “Sex is God’s wedding present to be opened on your wedding night.” Again, there is no doubt that the church has a divine responsibility to teach what God says about marriage, family, the home, and sex. The leadership of the church should not shy away from teaching every subject within the pages of the bible.

But, let me give you a piece of my mind…

First, teaching on sex and sexual issues must be done discreetly within the confidential confines of a safe setting not in the auditorium. Sexual issues certainly shouldn’t be taught from the roof of a church building while being streamlined live on a website. We must be sensitive to age, emotional maturity, and proper etiquette when the leadership teaches on this subject.

We certainly need to instruct God’s people on relationship issues, marriage, family, and God’s purpose for intimacy. The church should not be insensitive to the needs of the families that are within its membership. We certainly shouldn’t be afraid of the subject of sex.

Second, the mechanics of sexual intimacy should be discussed with husband and wives by doctors. Great care must be exercised when discussing the dynamics and mechanics of the sexual act. Less than prudent counseling sessions have ended in disastrous adulteries.

Third, we must guard against several inherent dangers while teaching, discussing, or counseling on such an intimate, personal, and sensitive subject.

· Reducing the subject of sex from precious and God-given to the level of the street where it could become mundane, dirty, or animalistic

· Titillating for the sake of arousing sexual feelings or desires

· Compromising biblical standards and parameters

· Creating temptation to sin while attempting to be relevant, hip, or on the “cutting edge

Bashful or not, prude or “prudent” or not, we must seek divine wisdom and leading when teaching on such a sensitive and powerful subject. Carrying out our God given responsibilities as pastors, parents, and partners (married) does not give us carte blanche to turn such a gift from God into a “three-ring circus,” or in this case into a video spectator sport on a roof top of a building supposedly dedicated to the worship of our majestic God.

What do you think?

Gregg Metcalf's 55 Undeniable Truths - The Second Ten

2012-01-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

11. I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6. I will shoot first and ask questions later, or I will drag your bleeding body inside my house "proving I shot the intruder inside the premises."

12. Life is extremely short. Therefore, take Solomon's advice, "Rejoice, O young man in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these Gold will bring you into judgement...Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 11:9, 12:13b-14, ESV)

13. If you are 15 minutes early, you are on time. If you are on time you are late, and if you are late, you are irresponsible.

14. Time heals nothing. Dependence upon Christ through the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and proactive obedience results in the healing of all wounds.

15. We do not all have the same amount of time. Each person may have the same 24 hour cycle in a specific day, but no one knows the amount of time or days God has decreed for each person. Use your wisely and fully.

16. If you take yourself to seriously you will explode. Don't think more highly of yourselves than you should. Learn to laugh at yourself, God knows, others already do.

17. If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.

18. It can always be worse. Many times we will have trials and tribulations, but regardless of ours, someone somewhere has it worse.

19. There are two ways to become a fool: the first is to believe what isn't true, second is to refuse to believe what is true. Many times the only difference is wise discernment.

20. Insanity is repeatedly doing the same thing while expecting different results.

It Will Cost You Everything!

2012-01-22T04:00:00.000-08:00

A quote from Steve Lawson:

He [Jesus Christ] is not coming to play games. He is not coming to be docile. He is coming to dominate, and He is coming to slaughter... He is the King of kings and He is the Lord of lord’s— and at the end of this age He will bolt out of heaven on a white steed— and His garments are dripped in blood, the blood of His own enemies— and He is coming back to conquer and to damn.

~Steve Lawson (It Will Cost You Everything)

Theme Songs for Bible Characters

2012-01-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday's Humor and Faith

Noah: "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head"

Adam and Eve: "Strangers in Paradise

Lazarus: "The Second Time Around"

Esther: "I Feel Pretty"

Job: "I've Got a Right to Sing the Blues"

Moses: "The Wanderer"

Jezebel: "The Lady is a Tramp"

Samson: "Hair"

Salome: "I Could Have Danced All Night"

Daniel: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

Joshua: "Good Vibrations"

Peter: "I'm Sorry"

Happy Birthday?

2012-01-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

January 20, 1920 American Civil Liberties Union founded:

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonpartisan non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States."

It works through litigation, lobbying, and community education. Founded in 1920 by Crystal Eastman, Roger Baldwin and Walter Nelles, the ACLU has over 500,000 members and has an annual budget over $100M. Local affiliates of the ACLU are active in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

The ACLU provides legal assistance in cases in which it considers civil liberties to be at risk. Legal support from the ACLU can take the form of direct legal representation, or preparation of amicus curiae briefs expressing legal arguments (when another law firm is already providing representation).

The ACLU has played a role in many landmark court decisions, including the Scopes Trial, Brown v. Board of Education, Gideon v. Wainwright, Griswold v. Connecticut, Roe v. Wade, New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, and Miranda v. Arizona.

In addition to representing persons in lawsuits, the organization also lobbies for policies that have been established by its board of directors. Current positions include: opposing the death penalty; supporting gay marriage and the right of gays to adopt; supporting birth control and abortion rights (as established in Roe v. Wade); eliminating discrimination against women, minorities, and gays; supporting the rights of prisoners and opposing torture; supporting the right of religious persons to practice their faiths without government interference; and opposing any government preference for religion over non-religion, or for particular faiths over others.

The ACLU also maintains a variety of educational programs, intended to educate the public about civil liberties. It seems to very rarely, if ever befriend and advocate for Christian groups or positions. So, I don't know if we would want to "express Happy Birthday sentiments" or simply say "Oh My!"

2012-01-19T04:00:00.001-08:00

Waiting for new heavens and a new earth

"...according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens

and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."

(II Peter 3:14, ESV)

These new heavens and new earth will come into being following the visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ and after Jesus institutes His rule on this earth. Our Lord will judge the ungodly and Satan and then He will destroy the old heaven and earth.

God had originally created the heavens and earth and then gave them to Adam to rule, or to maintain dominion over them as steward or manager. Of course, as we read in Genesis, Eve was deceived with Adam joining in her deception sinned. Sin, then entered in both man's and the earth's experience.

The earth now, according to Paul (Romans 8:22), groans in anticipation for the day when God will judge Satan, Sin, and the ungodly. Even this earth longs for the day when the curse is lifted from it and it is restored to its original condition.

Peter told his readers that the "old heavens" will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat. At the same time it seems the "old earth" will also be burned up. We as believers are waiting for this day. This is our hope - Christ's return, the destruction of unrighteousness and the establishment of righteousness.

How about you? Are you expectantly waiting for the new heavens and the new earth that Christ will provide? Jesus Himself has promised them to us, you can truly count on them. What a day that will be!

Not A New Vision, Just a Tired Old Version

2012-01-18T04:00:00.001-08:00

Lyons Vision for Christianity in America is not new, it is simply the same tired old mantra that has been hanging around since the fall of man. Gabe Lyons, founder of Q and best selling author has set out to destroy what he calls "an incoherent half-truth of sin and salvation." Lyons recently (Jan 11th) spoke at Calvin College.

He claims that the Christian message that is being proclaimed today is no different than someone giving you a novel with the first and last 100 pages ripped out with no explanation. He states you would be furious at the author for writing a book like this or the person who would dare give you such a book.

Lyons advocated both his joy at and the "demise" of Christianity. He believes that what he calls "the Next Christians" will have a more enlightened view of what God really intended. In his first book called UnChristians, Lyons and his foundation tracked what he called the "demise" of Christianity by recording the "falling of Christianity" from public favor.

According to Lyons’ research, the first association with Christianity that 91 percent of Americans between the ages of 16 and 29 make is with an anti-homosexual stance. Three-quarters believe Christians want to impose a right-wing agenda on others, and 70 percent view them as proselytizers, merely interested in padding church rolls with fresh converts.

Lyons developed his vision for this new Christianity in his book The Next Christians. Lyons presented his audience with reasons for Christians to have hope. This hope lies in the rediscovery of what he called Christianity’s “full story.” He states that this story begins with a "good creation" and ends with the responsibility "to restore it." Lyons believes Christians are rediscovering that this means going and advocates that we go out from the churches into all areas of culture – into Madison Avenue, Hollywood and Wall Street, and the educational world.

The dangerous lie hidden within this new Christianity of his is a reduction if not refusal to talk about sin, repentance, and salvation in order to talk about restoring the original creation by the creation of good things in these above mentioned entities. Lyons has developed a vision of Christian community as a commonwealth founded on love and justice in the midst of the kingdoms of the earth. Through his organization Q, his website, and his books he is trying to sell this new vision.

God has not commissioned his church to restore the creation that was marred by the fall. He will do that by, not restoring this present heaven and earth, but by destroying them with fire and by melting them. God has commissioned His church to preach the good news of the gospel of reconciliation. Reconciliation of God and man made possible by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ which calls for the recognition of sin and repentance. These are the things that Lyons, Q, and those of his ilk have celebrated their demise.

Every generation has its Gabe Lyons. Those whom God has destined to be deceived will no doubt buy into his sad, tired, false premise. Those whom are has elected to eternal life will not be deceived regardless of the "reasonableness" of such false teachings.

Consistency

2012-01-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

con-sis-ten-cy\ken-'sisten-se\n

1. a degree of density, firmness, viscosity, etc.: The liquid has the consistency of cream.

2. steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc.: There is consistency in his pattern of behavior.

3. agreement, harmony, or compatibility, especially correspondence or uniformity among the parts of a complex thing: consistency of colors throughout the house.

4. the condition of cohering or holding together and retaining form; solidity or firmness

If you ask me, the most difficult aspect of the Christian walk is consistency. Waiting, praying, trusting, believing, and even growing or stretching are far more easier tasks than actually remaining consistent in attitude or actions. The unbelieving world rests on coiled springs ready to pounce on any hint of inconsistency in the walk of a believer. May God grant us the daily wherewithal to conduct ourselves in a manner consistent with our holy calling as true children of God.

--Gregg Metcalf

Briefing

2012-01-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

Report on Religion
Faith, Church and History

CHURCH NEWS
Christian Persecution on the rise in India

Hostility in India has been increasing over the entire country as a direct result of the fast growth of the church and the great response to the Gospel in so many areas. Recent threats and outbreaks of violence against Christians in India show persecution is on the rise. Any hope for justice in this New Year looks grim.

North Korea still number one in persecution of Christians

North Korea tops the list for the 10th straight year as the country where Christians face the most severe persecution, while Islamic-majority countries represent nine of the top 10 and 38 of the 50 countries on the annual ranking according to the 2012 World Watch List.

Afghanistan (2), Saudi Arabia (3), Somalia (4), Iran (5) and the Maldives (6) form a bloc where indigenous Christians have almost no freedom to openly worship. For the first time Pakistan (10) entered the top 10, after a tumultuous year during which the nation’s highest-ranking Christian politician, Cabinet Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated for his attempts to change the blasphemy law.

The rest of the top 10 list by Open Doors is composed of Uzbekistan, Yemen and Iraq. Laos was the lone country to drop from the top 10 list, falling from number ten to twelfth.

Persecution has worsened due to Muslim extremists, however Dr. Carl Moeller, Open Doors USA President/CEO, believes that North Korea still deserves its No. 1 ranking.

FAITH NEWS
Perry makes faith-based pitch to voters in South Carolina. returned to the presidential campaign trail on Sunday with a fire-and-brimstone rallying cry to evangelical Christians whose allegiance in the South Carolina primary will be a pivotal force in the Republican nomination race.

Opening a two-week tour across the state where he launched his campaign in August and now hopes to revive it, the Texas governor invoked his Christian faith throughout his remarks to supporters at a diner in Spartenburg, a bastion of religious conservatives in upstate South Carolina.

Faith in Jesus Christ, Perry told the Beacon diner crowd, was part of what led him to resume the campaign after he was trounced in the Iowa caucuses.

MINISTRY
January 10, 1739: George Whitefield, the preacher who sparked America's first Great Awakening, is ordained to the Anglican ministry. Whitefield took to open-air preaching after jealous ministers denied him the use of their pulpits, and he was perfectly suited to it—his booming voice, it was reported, could be heard a mile away.

January 11, 1759: The first American life insurance company is incorporated in Philadelphia—the "Corporation of Poor and Distressed Presbyterian Ministers and of the Poor and Distressed Widows and Children of Presbyterian Ministers."

2012-01-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

Sunday's Quotes and Quips

“Most Christians salute the sovereignty of God but believe in the sovereignty of man.”

― R.C. Sproul

2012-01-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday's Humor and Faith

The Dentist's Hymn: Crown Him With Many Crowns

The Weatherman's Hymn: There Shall Be Showers of Blessings

The Contractor's Hymn: The Church's One Foundation

The Tailor's Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy

The Golfer's Hymn: There is a Green Hill Far Away

The Politician's Hymn: Standing On The Promises

The Optometrist's Hymn: Open My Eyes That I May See

The IRS Agent's Hymn: I Surrender All

The Gossip's Hymn: Pass It On

The Electrician's Hymn: Send Out Thy Light
The Shopper's Hymn: Sweet By And By

Hero (Michael Israel)

2012-01-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this video? If you have it is well

worth watching again! Yes, it brought tears to my eyes.

Regardless of whether he is a believer or not or whether "nationalistic patriotism" is a spiritual component, we must, I say must, thank God for the various men and women that he raises up in services like the Fire Department or Police Department which are dedicated to serving and protecting us.

I enjoy sharing things with you that move me or bless me. I want you to share in the same blessing and enjoy various talents.

2012-01-12T04:00:00.001-08:00

ex-ag-or-ad’-zo

verb: To redeem by payment of a price in order to recover from the power of another as to ransom or buy off, to buy up for one's self, for one's use as in Christ freeing the elect from the dominion of the Mosaic Law at the price of His own vicarious death.

"To redeem (ex-ag-or-ad' - zo) them that were under the law , that we might receive the adoption of sons..." (Galatians 4:5, KJV)

Are We Trying to Have our Cake and Eat It Too?

2012-01-11T04:00:00.001-08:00

Woman denied handing out pagan books at public school

When the Buncombe County (North Carolina) School System called Ginger Strivelli’s bluff, the Pagan mother of a student at a Weaverville elementary school didn’t back down.

In December, school officials had allowed a local chapter of The Gideons International to make Bibles available at North Windy Ridge Elementary. When Strivelli’s son came home with one, she complained and asked to drop off some Pagan books at the school.

According to the Asheville Citizen-Times, Principal Jackie Byerly initially said, “If another group wishes to do the same [as the Gideons], I plan on handling that the same way as I have handled this.”

But when Strivelli showed up at the school with her books, she was informed that she couldn’t leave them because “a new policy is being crafted.”

When will people wake up and do some real thinking? A new policy is being crafted that will probably state that no materials can be handed out at the school. What are Christians afraid of? I will tell you what I believe the problem is - most believers truly doubt the sufficiency of Scripture and the Sovereignty of God.

We as believers need to know that this is not the Kingdom age where Christ rules with a rod of iron and works of unrighteousness are smashed. What I mean is what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. If we want the right to distribute "Christian" material or bibles on state, federal, or municipal property, then everyone else must have the same right. Are we so foolish as to think we can have and eat our cake at the same time?

I happen to believe that God's Word is fully sufficient to counteract any pagan material that the Devil can come up with. I also believe that God is so sovereignly powerful that He can at any time and in any manner overrule the works and powers of darkness. We have never been called to legislate righteousness. Our duty is not to prevent the distribution of pagan material but to witness to the reality and power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are to be both salt and light in a darkened and decaying world.

When we attempt to prevent the cults, occults, and pagans from distributing their material we run the distinct risk of being denied the opportunity of distributing "our" material. All we do is make our commission that more much difficult. You didn't see Paul drafting legislation demanding that the Athenians take down all the idols that filled the city. He simply recognized their deception, formulated a plan, preached Christ and proclaimed the gospel.

I believe Satan has developed a plan to "silence" Christian witness by deception causing believers to be distracted from their primary responsibility of being effective witnesses by attempting to legislate righteousness. In my opinion this is really the end result of Arminianism and Dominionism.

Arminian theology lends itself to the belief that even though God is "all powerful," he is restricted by man's actions and activities. Dominionism states that we as Christians are responsible to take over the world and make it a Christian domain. Neither is biblical nor do they lend themselves to our true mission of making disciples.

Hand in Hand

2012-01-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

Hand in Hand

Words by Gregg Metcalf

Music by Jenean Thompson

written May 1992

recorded by Christ Church of Federal Way, WA 1993

I was teaching expositionally through the Epistle to the Ephesians in our church in Federal Way, WA. As I studied the text I was moved by the promise of God's presence in a passage. I wanted to pray and praise God for the sweetness of the moment. Then I picked up my pen and wrote these words.

I finished them, took them to my secretary's office (an accomplished musician) and asked her to write some music. She did, a beautiful ballad was put together by her incredible voice and musical talent on the piano. She heard that Christ Church of Federal Way was producing a CD of worship and praise songs. She ran this song by the producer and our song was selected to be recorded. It came out beautifully.

When I fail and it's more than I can bear

when my heart tells me there's no one to care

when the sun has set and the night takes command

by His presence He takes me by my hand

Every day I live the winds of fear assail

and I think I'm about to be lost in the gale

I run to the one that commands the wind

I'm not afraid He holds my hand once again

Chorus:

Hand in hand together we walk through the night

by His strength by His grace by His holy might

He takes me where there is peace by his demand

in His presence He takes me by my hand

Have you fallen in the race and lost your way

is your night so dark you're afraid to pray

let me tell you friend there's a light up ahead

don't be afraid there is nothing now to dread

Chorus:

Hand in hand together we walk through the night

by His strength by His grace by His holy might

He takes me where there is peace by his demand

in His presence He takes me by my hand

We need not hear a heart so weak and in despair

have joy give praise for there is one who cares

Yes it is true that oft today I might fail

but I know I'll never be lost in the gale

Chorus:

Hand in hand together we walk through the night

by His strength by His grace by His holy might

He takes me where there is peace by his demand

in His presence He takes me by my hand

In His presence He takes me by my hand

Thank you Lord, for taking my hand

My Top Book Picks for 2011

2012-01-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a listing of my top 10 books for 2011. They would be a valuable addition to any believer's library.

1. ESV Study Bible

2. Christ Formed in You - Brian Hedges

3. Radical - David Platt

4. A Method For Prayer - Matthew Henry

5. John MacArthur: Servant of the Word and Flock - Iain Murray

6. Concerning the True Care of Souls - Martin Bucer

7. Heroes - Iain Murray

8. Here I Stand - Roland Bainton

9. The Autobiography of George Mueller - George Mueller

10. The Church in the Making - Ben Arment

The Flaws of Worldliness

2012-01-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

Sunday's Quotes and Quips

“Worldliness proposes objectives which demand no radical breach with man's fallen nature; it judges the importance of things by the present and material results; it weighs success by numbers; it covets human esteem and wants no unpopularity; it knows no truth for which it is worth suffering; it declines to be a 'fool for Christ's sake.”

― Iain Murray

Highway Men and Hymns

2012-01-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday's Humor and Faith

For those of you who drive,

if you must speed on the highway,

please sing these......

45 mph: God Will Take Care Of You

55 mph: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

65 mph: Nearer My God To Thee

75 mph: Nearer Still Nearer

85 mph: This World Is Not My Home

95 mph: Lord, I'm Coming Home

Over 100 mph: Precious Memories

Book Review: Letter of Samuel Rutherford

2012-01-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

Title: Letters of Samuel Rutherford
Author: Samuel Rutherford as selected by Andrew A. Bonar
First Copy Right: 1664
Type of Book: Hardback
General Subject: Inspiration, Christian Living
Price: $39.00
ISBN: 0-85151-388-3

The purpose of this book is extremely difficult to nail down. A collection of Rutherford's letters were published 3 years after his death. This compilation was published in 1891 and these letters were selected by Andrew A Bonar. Bonar's purpose of selecting these letters seems to come from the book jacket where he is quoted as saying, "What a wealth of spiritual ravishment we have here! This edition is a noble volume and we shall measure the soundness of Scotch religion very much by the sale of this work. One page of Rutherford is worth a thousand tomes of the Downgrade frothiness."

It seems that the purpose of this volume is to inspire, instruct, and to inculcate the very grace of God to those who would read these letters. These letters serve as a very large door way into the heart of this great pastor. They show his knowledge and love of the Savior and his love and commitment to his people.

Rutherford wrote various letters that encouraged, edified, or engaged the recipients in the grace and knowledge of God. He wrote these letters from the view point of a pastor who was deeply aware of his charge and responsibiltiy before his God to shepherd the sheep trusted to him. Rutherford made no attempt to be technical or dramatical. He wrote beautiful biblical theology which was coated by God's grace.

The author's style is homy, personal, parochial, and precious. He writes in the formal prose of his day, yet the letters flow informally from his heart to his people.

This book effected me very deeply. The heart and depth of this man's relationship with God is almost beyond comprehending. One cannot read these letters without grieving over one's sense of one's own lack of intimacy and yet a joy in knowing one can strive for this intimacy. Rutherford's language is almost heavenly, it was bathed in constant prayer. If Bonar's purpose was to inspire, edify, and demonstrate God's grace, that purpose was certainly accomplished. I would recommend this book to every believer who wants to know what it is like to walk in the shadow of God.

The theme of this book is inspirational letters of a pastor to his people. The thesis seems to be, pastors must comfort, instruct, and edify their people.

Rutherford develops this theme by simple narration. He also uses explanations and analytsis to present his various truths in various letters.

For example in letter four, he is writing to a parishoner whose infant daughter had died. He paints a tremendous picture of where a believer's affections should really be by writing:

"Build your nest upon no tree here; for ye see God hath sold the forest to death; and every tree whereupon we would rest is ready to be cut down, to the end we may fly and mount up, and build upon the Rock, and dwell in the holes of the Rock."

This book was extremely interesting and inspiring. It is an extremely valuable tool in Christian growth.

Samuel Rutherford was a Scottish pastor and theologian. He was a professor at Edinburgh College in Scotland. He was an author having published a book defending the Doctrines of Grace and his book Le Rex (The Law and the King) caused him to be charged with treason. He died before he could respond to a governmental summons.

My general conclusions is that is an extremely valuable addition to any believer's "library." This book will have a major impact on those who truly drink deep from the well of grace which each letter is bathed with.

Word Study: προλαμβανω

2012-01-05T04:00:00.000-08:00

Our goal for today's word study is to determine the meaning of προλαμβανω within its biblical context. Please keep in mind there are two important truths that govern our study: first, our word study must be based on the original language and not the English word, and second, the context is the ultimate determiner of the precise meaning of any word that we are attempting to study.

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)

The King James, New King James, and the Revised Standard Version translate our word as "overtaken." The NASB, English Standard Version, and the New International Version translate it as "caught." The New Living Translation translate the word as "overcome."

Careful scholars will translate the original text with the English word (s) that most clearly convey its meaning. It seems that the best translation of this word is "overtaken, or overcome."

We can initially conclude that some believers are overtaken by some sin or fault. This doesn't tell us very much, however, it is a good start.

Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary (1969) defines "overtaken" as "to catch up with, to catch up with and pass by, to come upon suddenly; to seize."

The Englishmen's Greek Concordance of the New Testament (p. 657) shows that Paul uses this word one other time in the Greek New Testament:

I Corinthians 11:21 -- "For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk."

New Thayer's Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (p. 541) tells us that "overtaken" is used to translate the Greek Word προληφθη. It is defined by Thayer's as to take before, to anticipate, to forestall, to take one by forestalling (by surprise.)

Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words says that is a compound Greek word, "pro" and lambano." It means "to anticipate, to take, of forestalling the less favored, or "of being overtaken." In this passage it means " of being caught by sin through being off guard.

Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p.14) says of Paul's usage in Galatians 6:1, "The point of προληφθη is that Paul has in view a fault into which the brother is betrayed "unawares," so that it is not intentionally wrong. In this case brotherly help is demanded rather than unloving judgment.

Prolambano (prol-am-ban’-o) can mean "to anticipate", "to take before" (hand) and "to be overtaken." It is used three times in the New Testament. It is used twice by the Apostle Paul.

So, let's pull this all together and define our word.

First of all, our definition carries within it the "genes" for debate and controversy. The word that Paul used does not refer to a deliberate, willful, or planned sin by an individual. As a matter of fact, Paul would not suppose such a man who deliberately planned to sin as even being a Christian. In Paul's theology, a believer has been freed from the penalty and power of sin and therefore has died to sin.

Secondly, Paul is not treating sin in the church as something that is a "hypothetical possibility." He recognizes that sin in the church is a reality. Therefore, moral failure should not be a surprise to other members in the body when it occurs.

Third, our word strictly by definition and context refers to an individual who has grown lax in keeping up his guard and is suddenly and by surprise overtaken by a temptation. This is a sin which people fall by weakness and being unalert. Barnes describes it as "a slip that might occur to a man on a very slippery or icy road." In other words, if he doesn't pay attention, suddenly, he will be overtaken by a fall from the ice.

Within the context then, those believers who are living out the fruit of the Holy Spirit are to take the responsibility to restore any believers who have dropped their guard and slipped into a fault or sin.

(I don't know why my typing switched to small in some places. I have used normal all the way through this post. It switched on its own. I am sorry.)

What Did You Resolve for 2012?

2012-01-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

"I appeal to you...to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God..." (Romans 12:1, ESV)

While the rest of the world is making and pronouncing grandiose resolutions for this coming year, what about you Christian? How have you responded to this challenge by the Apostle Paul to the Roman believers? What resolution have you made to respond to this challenge to give yourself without reserve to the service of our gracious God?

I realize that many of us simply dismiss this challenge because we believe it is impossible for us to keep. After all, the last thing we need is one more resolution dangling about broken and forgotten. Recognition of our weaknesses and reluctance to step out in faith and make such an oath should not keep us from making it our aim. The good news is that such a commitment is not grouped with such things as "three strikes and you're out."

William Law wrote in A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life in regards to why particular sins are so prevalent, "Now the reason...is this, because men have not so much as the intention to please God in all their actions." Ouch! What is my intention? What is your intention? Do we, as blood-bought redeemed children of God intend to to please God in all of our actions? This is what Paul had in mind when he addressed the Christians at Rome.

It seems this intention is the key to a life of obedience, service, and holiness. Remember my favorite axiom, if we aim at nothing we will hit it every time? Well, if we don't make such a commitment, even though we know that we may fail not once but several times, we will never strive to live such a life that Christ and Paul called for.

Hell Was A Hot Topic in 2011

2012-01-03T04:00:00.000-08:00

It seems that hell was a very popular topic in 2011. Hollywood films, New York Best-sellers list, and theological debates devoted quite a bit of time to this usually unpopular and dark subject. 2011 saw a resurgence in the debate of whether hell actually exists or not and will people really be sent there.

I did not see the movie but early in 2011 Hollywood put out a film with Anthony Hopkins who played a demon possessed priest engaged in a fierce battle with Satan called The Rite.

Harold Camping, former President of Family Radio predicted that Christ would return for true believers and that catastophic judgment would fall on the earth on first, May 21, 2011 and then when that didn't occur on October 21, 2011.He predicted judgment day with "weeping and wailing."

Former Pastor, Rod Bell wrote and released a best-selling book called Love Wins. Bell questioned whether a "few select" people would actually make it to heaven while billions of other people "burn forever in hell." Bell argued that God's grace and His infinite love will eventually win over many, if not all people giving them heaven also.

Pastor, oops, former Pastor, no, I guess Pastor Francis Chan wrote a response to Bell's book called Erasing Hell. Chan thoroughly studied the bible for what it and Jesus had taught about hell and concluded it was real. Chan worries that people will become complacent about their destiny with devastating results if Bell is wrong.

Also in 2011, Lauren Winner, assistant professor Christian spirituality at Duke Divinity wrote that Bell's book "exposed a debate among evangelicals that has been percolating underground for years." She states that there has been "hints of creeping universalism" in the evangelical world for about the last 30 years.

James Martin, culture editor of America Magazine has written extensively on the subject of hell. His conclusions (in accordance with Roman Catholic thinking) is that people land in hell not because they have faith or no faith, but because they choose to reject God's grace and attempts at reconciliation. Martin has stated that his favorite quote is from St. Therese of Liseux who said, "I believe in hell, and I believe it is empty." Martin does say two interesting things about hell, one, he is not taking any chances with hell, and two, in the end, hell is a mystery.

Well, it seems that hell was a mystery to many in 2011. Of course hell has been both taught and rejected for centuries. The reason for such a discussion in 2011 may be somewhat mysterious but the subject is not. The bible is quite clear on the doctrine of judgment, punishment, and hell for unrighteous unbelievers.

Monday Facts

2012-01-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Fact: I missed posting and reading Monday facts during December.

Fact: Irene and I moved on December 10, 2011. Shannon, Sonja, Madilynn, Bryttany, and friends Larry and Alex did the complete move for us. They loaded and unloaded the UHaul. Praise God for their help!

Fact: Irene and I love our new place. It is a small apartment, but what the heck? It is only us two now, oh yeah, and Fi Fi. It is cozy and warm.

Fact: We froze for seven winters in our previous home. If there is one thing I will not miss about that house it is the freezing cold during the winter.

Fact: I now have a galley kitchen. It is unbelievably small. I am still having a difficult time getting use to cooking in it. I love the rest of the apartment but the kitchen is terrible. It is really for a single guy who lives on peanut butter sandwiches, potato chips, and soda. There is not even enough counter space for my griddle, I now use three pans for breakfast (in place of the griddle) to cook bacon, eggs, and hash browns. It was a dark- comedy trying to cook black bean soup yesterday and baked Cornish game hens. (This is not the kitchen, it was just a shot of a galley kitchen to use as an example.)

Fact: We had a wonderful "Christmas." Irene went down to Sonja's on Saturday to help prepare Christmas dinner. I got up leisurely, had biscuits and gravy and then gathered with the body at Coal Creek. I then drove down to Vancouver and enjoyed Christmas dinner with Irene, daughters Shannon and Sonja, granddaughters Madilynn and Bryttany, and nephew and niece Dan and Lupe. We had ham and a great roast.

Fact: My niece Lupe gave me a framed picture of the plaque and four rocks from the Areopagus where Paul preached on Mars Hill in Athens, Greece. Yes I am pretending Paul stood on or held those very rocks.

Fact: We spent New Year's Eve at home watching Season Six of Law and Order. Very quiet, very safe, and very cozy. Stayed up this year and watched 2012 arrive, usually I go to bed early and miss the arrival of the new year.

Fact: After being assigned to HMM-261 and transferring to HMH-461 MCAS New River, NC, I was ordered to join VMA-211 a light anti aircraft bomber stationed in Iwakuni, Japan. I was the NBC NCO, Training NCO, and Operations Clerk. My overseas tour was for 13 months and included Okinawa (The Rock) and Olongapo City, Philippines.

Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211) is a United States Marine Corps attack squadron consisting of AV-8B Harrier (V/STOL) jets, known as the "Wake Island Avengers."

VMA-211 can trace its lineage to January 1, 1937 when Marine Fighting Squadron 4 (VF-4M) was activated at Naval Air Station San Diego, California.Although it was the second time a VF-4M had existed, the previous one was decommissioned in 1931 and it was not considered the same squadron. The squadron was decommissioned in 1933 but was recommissioned as VF-8M in 1935. On July 1, 1937 VF-8M was re-designated Marine Fighting Squadron 2 (VMF-2) and by the end of the year, had completely reequipped with Grumman F3F-2s which replaced F3F-1s and a few even older F2F-1s. The squadron participated in annual Fleet Problems while at San Diego and even played a part in the making of the movie "Dive Bomber." Several future Medal of Honor recipients served with the squadron during this period, including Henry Elrod, Robert Galer, and Gregory (Pappy) Boyington. In January 1941, the squadron moved to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii and was re-designated VMF-211 on July 1, 1941.

With escalation of the Vietnam War, VMA-211 moved to Japan in 1965 and commenced the first of four deployments to the Republic of Vietnam. In August 1976, the squadron returned to MCAS El Toro.

VMA-211 was deployed in the spring of 1972 to Naha Air Force base on Okinawa and within three months was redeployed to Bien Hoa Air Base in Viet Nam. It was the only strategic American fighting unit left in Viet Nam except for small Army Air Cav unit in Bien Hoa.

In September 1987, the squadron celebrated an aviation milestone when it passed 30 years of flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. After successfully completing the last overseas deployment with the A-4M Skyhawk in 1989, VMA-211 began transferring these aircraft to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in preparation for transition to the AV-8B Night Attack aircraft. In June 1990 the squadron began flying the Night Attack variant of the Harrier. During this time the Avengers were awarded Marine Corps Aviation Association "Attack Squadron of the Year" three times, in 1995, 1996, and 1998.

In September 2000, the squadron began introduction of the latest Harrier variant, the AV-8B II+ radar aircraft. The squadron soon fielded a complement of both Radar and Night Attack Harriers.

Fact: Fi Fi likes working at the apartment offfice. Everyone loves her, gives her treats, and is spoiling her rotten. I should be treated this well. The tenants call her the "Assistant Manager."

Fact: Web Pierce was a great singer. He did a great job on "I Can't Help It if I am Still in Love with You." But He ain't no Hank Williams. Still love the original. However, it still didn't stop me from turning him up and rockin' the office a bit.

Fact: He put in a pool at his Nashville home in the shape of his guitar. That's Web standing on the diving board.

New Year

2012-01-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in Thy presence,
in Thy service, to Thy glory.

Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,
but may rely on Thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth Thy praise;
testify Thy love,
advance Thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with Thee, O Father as my harbour,
Thee, O Son, at my helm,
Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.

Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to Thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.

Give me Thy grace to sanctify me,
Thy comforts to cheer,
Thy wisdom to teach,
Thy right hand to guide,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilize.

May Thy fear be my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.

- Valley of Vision, p. 112

Anticipating Tomorrow...

2011-12-31T04:00:00.000-08:00

"Happy New Year!" That greeting will be said and heard for at least the first couple of weeks as a new year gets under way. But the day celebrated as New Year's Day in modern America was not always January 1.

ANCIENT NEW YEARS

The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible cresent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring).

The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.

The Babylonian new year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.
The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.
In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

FOR LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR

Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. Parties often last into the middle of the night after the ringing in of a new year. It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man.

Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune.

Many parts of the U.S. celebrate the new year by consuming black-eyed peas. These legumes are typically accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures.

The hog, and thus its meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day.

TOASTING

One of the most venerable New Years traditions is the champaign toast at midnight to ring in the new year. Toasting can be traced back to the ancient Romans and Greeks who would pour wine, to be shared among those attending a religious function, from a common pitcher. The host would drink first, to assure his guests that the wine was not poisoned. Poisoning the wine was a fairly common practice in ancient times, designed to do away with one's enemies. In those days the wine was not as refined as it is today so a square of burned bread (toast) would be floated in the wine bowl and then eaten by the last person to drink. The bread was put there to absorb the extra acidity of the wine in order to make it more palatable. Eventually, the act of drinking in unison came to be called a toast, from the act of "toasting" or putting toast into the wine.

AULD LANG SYNE

The song, "Auld Lang Syne" is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scottish tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."

______________________________________________
Here's to hoping you have a safe, sane, and sanctifying New Year tomorrow as 2012 begins! Lord bless you all!

Does Jesus Need Saving?

2011-12-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

Kidnapped by the Christian Right.

Discarded by the Secular Left.

Jesus Needs Saving.

So says Living the Question and savingjesus.com.Saving Jesus Redux Home Edition is a 12-episode video "exploration" for a credible Jesus for the 21st Century. This is a compilation of some 25 "experts" who come together for a conversation about the relevance of Jesus for today.

Amy-Jill Levine, a participant, says: "We're having a culture war and Jesus happens to be one of the weapons tossed about by both sides."

The savingjesus video exploration sets out answer questions like:

Who was He?
What can we know about Him - really?
Considering everything done in his name, is there anything about him worth saving?

Their advertisement in Time Magazine goes on to say, "With insights from 25 specialists, Saving Jesus leaves behind old paradigms and dogmas for a candid conversation about a Jesus you've probably never heard about - one with relevance for today."

Really? A conversation I have never heard about Jesus? With Brian McLaren and Walter Brueggemann as key participants I don't doubt it is a conversation about a Jesus I have never heard about. McLaren is attempting to single handedly destroy traditional Christianity and reconstruct it without biblical parameters.

This is so reminiscent of the time around "Easter" when all the documentaries, programs, and articles on the lost epistles, spurious writings, missing books of the bible, and resurrection legends appear.

Jesus is not lost. Jesus does not need saving. Brian McLaren and his cronies need saving. Jesus is not a cultural war weapon being tossed about by biblicists and biblical Christians. Jesus is seated at the right hand of God in heaven where he has been since his ascension back into heaven. He serves night and day as both high priest and advocate to the true children of God.

The Scriptures are clear on who Jesus is and why He is "relevant" to any age, including this modern age in which we now live. Would I discourage a conversation about Jesus? Certainly not. At least not a conversation based on sound proper biblical exegesis and in line with 2,000 years of accepted church history. Is it possible to tweak some things about Jesus life and/or ministry and through discovery find some additional facts? Yes.

However, nothing we now know or will ever discover will ever contradict what has been revealed in the Bible. Culture does not change Jesus nor cause him to need saving. Experts who have rejected traditional and biblical Christianity will not change Jesus nor cause him to need saving. Discussions lasting 12 or 120 episodes will not contradict or undo the revelation of Jesus Christ in our Sacred Scriptures.

Living the Questions, with its lofty goal of "...not the product of a denominational work group or other institutional effort aimed at simply dressing up the theological status quo...it is the response to the search for a practical tool to bring together, equip, and re-educate thinking Christians" has missed the mark. Jesus does not need them to redefine him or Christianity.

Jesus has not been kidnapped by the Christian Right. He was given as a gift to a lost and dying world.

Discarded by the left. To discard implies something once possessed, those apart from a saving work of Jesus Christ never had the true Christ, therefore, He cannot be discarded.

Jesus does not need saving.

However, Luke tells us very succinctly and pointedly that, "For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)

Thank You Lord for Philip P. Bliss!

2011-12-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

(From the Files - Re-posted from 29 Dec 2009)

On this day, December 29th, 1876 a passenger train crashed when the trestle bridge it was crossing collapsed near Ashtabula, Ohio. Ninety two people died in what became known as the Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster. Among the number of passengers who died that day was Philip P. Bliss.

You may not know who Bliss was but you certainly know his hymns. Bliss was an accomplished composer, conductor, gospel singer, and evangelist. He wrote many hymns, some which you still sing today – that is if your church or fellowship still sings hymns.

Among the hymns that Mr. Bliss wrote are; Almost Persuaded; Hallelujah, What A Savior; Wonderful Words of Life; and Let the Lower Lights Be Burning. Thank God he also wrote the music to one of the most precious poems ever written. A man named Horatio Spafford wrote the words to It is Well with My Soul after receiving a telegraph that the ship his wife and daughters had been traveling on had sunk, and that his four daughters had drowned at sea. Philip Bliss wrote the tune to those words that we love and sing today.

How did he die? He actually survived the crash and had made his way out of the passenger car that he and his wife had been traveling in. While waiting rescue the passenger car caught fire and he went back into the flaming car to rescue his wife. In God’s sovereign plan both died in the fiery car and neither body was ever found.

The Bliss’s were survived by both of their two sons, George and Philip who at the time were aged 4 and 1 respectively. Eventually a monument was erected in Rome, Pennsylvania in Bliss’s memory.

By the way, one more fascinating piece of information, though neither body was found, his traveling trunk somehow survived both the crash and the fire. Inside the trunk was the manuscript for a song that he had written. However, no music for those lyrics was found in that trunk.

Soon afterwards as providence would have it, a man named James McGranahan wrote the music which allowed Thomas Edison to make it one the first songs ever to be recorded. Oh, what was the name of that song, you ask? It was I Will Sing of My Redeemer.

The night before that terrible railroad accident at Ashtabula... Bliss told his audience, "I may not pass this way again." Then he sang a solo entitled, I'm Going Home Tomorrow. This proved to be prophetic of his own home-going.

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Happy 58th Birthday to my loving wife of 38 years, Irene H. Metcalf of Kelso, WA!

Will the World End In 2012?

2011-12-28T04:00:00.001-08:00

According to Christine Bouer in an ABC News article Gary Geryl, 51 years of age, quit his job as a laboratory worker for a French oil company. He had saved enough money to last him until December 2012. Geryl believed he wouldn't need any money after December 2012 because the world would end that at that time.

Geryl told ABC News, "You have to understand, there will be nothing, nothing left. We will have to start an entire civilization from scratch." Why does Geryl believe this? What would possess a man to save, plan, join a survival group, and gather survival goods and equipment?

Geryl believes the world will end December 21, 2012 because of Mayan Cyclical calendars. Apparently this calendar renewed itself approximately 5,125 years ago, but is set to expire in 2012 with "catastrophic consequences." He also relies on the ancient Egyptians who "saw" 2012" as a year of change.

The Mayans seem to be the first group of peoples to predict the end of the world in 2012. The Mayans had calculated the length lunar moon as 329, 53020 days. Is there any truth to this calendar?

The Mayan calendar was put together around 250-900 AD. The Mayans had a number of calendars for spiritual uses. Their calendars were used for social, agricultural, commercial, and even administrative purposes. The main use of the Mayan calendars was religious in nature. Each day on the calendar had a patron spirit that represented that each day had a specific use or purpose.

Most of the Mayan calendars were short. A calendar called "Tzolk" lasted 260 days. The Haab calender lasted 3654 days. The Mayans then combined the Tzolk and the Haab calendar to form what is known as the "Calendar Round." This is a cycle lasting "52 Haab's" or 52 years.

The Calendar Round was used to remember certain dates, like your birthday or an important religious date. You could not record a date older than 52 years.

The Mayan's came up with a fix. They expanded on the 52 year Calendar Round. Remember that their calendar had probably relied upon their religious belief's, the menstrual cycle, and some mathematical calculations using the numbers 13 and 20 with a dose of astrological myths thrown in. (You are going to base something as important on the end of the world on this?)

How does the calendar work?

The Mayan Long Count began with a base year known as "0.0.0.0.0." Each zero goes from 0-19 and each zero represents a count of Mayan days. The first day in the long count calendar would be 0.0.0.1. The 19th day would be 0.0.0.19. On the 20th day the level goes up one 0. It would look like this, 0.0.0.1.0. Twenty years would look like this, 0.1.0.0.0. Four hundred years would look like this, 1.0.0.0.0.

Divided Opinions

Believe it or not the experts are divide about when the Long Calendar ends. Since the Mayans used the numbers 13 and 20 as the root of their numerical system, the last day marked on their calendar could be written as 13.0.0.0.0. This represents 5,126 years and corresponds to the modern date of August 11th, 33114 BC. The calendar renewed itself and ends 5,126 years later, which is December 21, 2012.

Will Time End or Is There A Problem?

The Mayan "Doomsday Prophecy" is based on a calendar which some experts believe has not been designed to calculate dates beyond 2012. Even Mayan archaeo-astronomers are divided over the issue of whether the Long Count is designed to be reset to 0.0.0.0.0. after 13.0.0.0.0, or does the calendar simply continue to 20.0.0.0.0 (8000 AD) and then reset again.

Karl Kruszelnicki writes: "...when a calendar comes to the end of a cycle, it just rolls over into the next cycle. In our Western society, every year 31 December is followed, not by the End of the World, but by 1 January. So 13.0.0.0.0 in the Mayan Calendar will be followed by 0.0.0.0.1 - or good-ol' 22 December 2012, with only a few shopping days left to Christmas." - Excerpt from Dr. Karl's "Great Moments in Science."

There's No Need for a Line

2011-12-27T04:00:00.001-08:00

A response to the song, Where is the Line to See Jesus"

There’s No Need for a Line

Gregg Metcalf

December 25, 2011

It was time for the special

The tape began to play

Congregation sat ready

All eager to hear today

She picked up the microphone

And she began to sing

Her voice was so angelic

The rafters began to ring

Where’s the line to see Jesus

I heard her ask in song

Was he at the store?

This was all so wrong

I sat there in dismay

Wondering why the care

Especially on this day

Of glad tidings everywhere

Little boy in the song

Sounds so sweet to everyone

As sorrow filled my heart

Oh the wrong that was done

Chorus:

There’s no need for a line

To see Jesus the babe

He shows himself on time

To those whom he saves

There’s no need for a line

He is not a display

Truly He is one of a kind

He may show Himself today

Yes, in the blink of an eye

And at the trumpet sound

We’ll join Him in the sky

Every knee will bow low

Every tongue will say

He is Lord of friend and foe

There’s no need for a line

No need for a store

Outside the camp you’ll find

The way, the truth, and the door

There’s no need for a line

The world will only refuse

The one who’s so sublime

Jesus the good news

There's no need for a line
you can find Him everywhere
His blood is the tie that bind
all those for whom He cares

Chorus:

There’s no need for a line
To see Jesus the babe

He shows himself on time
To those whom he saves

There’s no need for a line
He is not a display

Truly He is one of a kind
He may show Himself today

The World and Religion

2011-12-26T04:00:00.000-08:00

Briefing - News and Notes of Interest!

Even Christians are taking Christ out of Christmas

Christmas in America is a season of time-honored traditions – the sacred performance of the annual ACLU lawsuit over the presence of an insufficiently secular “holiday” tree; the ritual provocations of the atheist displays licensed by pitifully appeasing municipalities to sit between the menorah and the giant Frosty the Snowman; the familiar strains of every hack columnist’s “war on Christmas” column rolling off the keyboard as easily as Richard Clayderman playing “Winter Wonderland”…

This year has been a choice year. A crucified skeleton Santa Claus was erected as part of the “holiday” display outside the Loudoun County courthouse in Virginia – because, let’s face it, nothing cheers the hearts of moppets in the Old Dominion like telling them, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus – and he’s hanging lifeless in the town square.”

Alas, a week ago, some local burghers failed to get into the ecumenical spirit and decapitated him. Who are these killjoys? Christians intolerant of the First Amendment (as some have suggested)? Or perhaps a passing Saudi? Our friends in Riyadh only the other day beheaded for Amina bin Salem (so to speak) Nasser for “sorcery,” and it would surely be grossly discriminatory not to have some Wahhabist holiday traditions on display in Loudoun County. (The Islamic Saudi Academy, after all, is one of the most prestigious educational institutions of neighboring Fairfax County.)

Across the fruitcaked plain in California, the city of Santa Monica allocated permits for “holiday” displays in Palisades Park by means of lottery. Eighteen of the 21 slots went to atheists – for example, the slogan “37 million Americans know a myth when they see one” over portraits of Jesus, Santa, and Satan.

Arab-American charities refuse donations from Lowe’s

A network of 22 Arab-American nonprofits says its members will no longer accept donations from Lowe’s.

Wednesday’s announcement comes after the home improvement chain stopped advertising during a reality TV show about U.S. Muslims.

The National Network for Arab American Communities and its Dearborn-based parent ACCESS said the retailer’s decision contradicts their values.

Lowe’s Cos. executives say TLC’s “All-American Muslim” became a “lightning rod for people to voice complaints.” The Mooresville, N.C.-based company’s decision followed an email campaign by the conservative Christian group Florida Family Association.

Keep Christ in Christmas sign stirs a controversy

Shoppers perusing the curiosity and gift shops in downtown Pitman might miss the sign hanging overhead that reads, “Keep Christ in Christmas.”

But the white plastic banner has caught the attention of a national group advocating the separation of church and state, which maintains that by allowing the sign on public property, the borough is promoting Christmas and Christianity and thus violating the Constitution.

The use of the term Christmas can be controversial when it comes to public life. Last winter, the establishment and subsequent name change of a “Christmas Village” outside Philadelphia’s City Hall riled observers of various religious persuasions.

The Christmas Truce of WWI

The peace that had existed for decades in Europe – since the Franco-Prussian War 40-plus years earlier – had resulted in tremendous progress in culture, infrastructure investment, commerce and international relations. Europeans of all stripes crossed borders relatively freely.

Before World War I, European Jews and Christians intermingled and intermarried with few eyebrows being raised and, although covert Christian anti-Semitism definitely existed, overt persecution of Jews was not a major problem. Jews were welcomed in the militaries and served with distinction.

When Archduke Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian empire, was assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, European peace rapidly unraveled and – by a series of errors of judgment, bureaucratic inefficiencies, ineptitude, lack of communication skills – all the nations seemed to declare war on each other.

It was mostly a case of “death (and killing) before dishonor” in which, no matter how worthy or unworthy the war aims might be, negotiation toward a peaceful settlement was considered to be a dishonorable way out of a conflict.

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Missionaries:

In the unevangelized world, there are 20,500 full-time Christian workers and 10,200 foreign missionaries. In the evangelized non-Christian world, there are 1.31 million full-time Christian workers.

In the Christian world, there are 306,000 foreign missionaries to other Christian lands. Also in the Christian world, 4.19 million full-time Christian workers (95%) work within the Christian world.
Frontier Harvest Ministries

Number of Christian Books in Print:

There are approximately 6 million books about Christianity in print today.
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (2006)

Number of Christian Martyrs Worldwide:

An average of 171,000 Christians worldwide are martyred for their faith per year.
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (2006)

Holiday Wishes

2011-12-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

To My Christian Friends - Happy Holidays

To My Jewish Friends - Happy Hanukkah

To My Atheist Friends - Good Luck!

Famous Last Words...

2011-12-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

1. "Are you sure the power is off?"

2. "Don't be so superstitious."

3. "He's probably just hibernating."

4. "I can do that with my eyes closed."

5. "I wonder where the mother bear is?"

6. "I'll get a world record for this."

7. "I'll hold it and you light the fuse."

8. "And that one over there, the red flashing one, what does that mean?"

9. "I'm making a citizen's arrest."

10. "It's fireproof."

11. "It's strong enough for both of us."

12. "I've done this before."

13. "I've seen this done on TV."

14. "Let it down slowly."

15. "Nice doggie."

16. "Now watch this..."

17. "Pull the pin and count to what?"

18. "Rat poison only kills rats."

19. "So, you're a cannibal..."

20. "Listen, I'm taking a course in chemistry, I know what I'm doing."

21. "That's odd..."

22. "These are the good kind of mushrooms."

23. "This doesn't taste right."

24. "What does this button do?"

25. "Which wire was I supposed to cut?"

________________________________

Which one is your favorite?

Do you have a story that under girds your favorite?

Will you share your story?

Gregg Metcalf's 55 Undeniable Truths - The First Ten

2011-12-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

Much of my world is black and white. A number of influences, both good and bad over the last 56 years have made me pretty much what I am.

For my 55th birthday, I thought I would write down some of the truths I have come to appreciate, operate, and or calculate as being of great value. (I often write my thoughts, feelings, and/or significant musings on my birthdays. One day I will share a song with you I wrote for my 45th birthday, entitled "Forty-Five and A Little Bit Crazy.")

Of course, our Sovereign God has a unique purpose decreed for my life long before I was ever conceived. The indwelling Holy Spirit and the Word of God have both impacted my life.

Please do not make the mistake and assume that I don't have shades of grey coloring certain issues from time to time. I do not mean to imply that I am rigid, unbendable, or cannot compromise when need be. Amongst the occasion shades of gray I have developed over a life time some undeniable truths. From time to time I am going to post these truths. Today I leave you with my first 10 of my 55 undeniable truths:

1. If you don't ask, you won't get. The worse anyone can do or say is no!

2. Life is not fair. After the fall, it can never be fair. However, life is still good. Take Don Henley and Glen Frey from the Eagles advice and "Get over it!"

3. Character does matter in an individual. Character, whether good or bad, guides your decisions and choices.

4. Laws serve as restraints and penalties serve as punishments. Penalties were never meant to rehabilitate nor serve as a deterrent.

5. Words mean things. They must be chosen carefully, and be fully understood.

6. Practice does not make perfect! Only perfect practice makes perfect.

7. Not everybody can be a winner. There are losers. People really do loose.

8. It is never right to do wrong. Rationalization, , relativism, and/or situational ethics will never make a wrong a right.

9. It is OK to fail. If allowed and you are smart enough, you will learn valuable lessons from your failures.

10. The man who says there is no God is not the only fool. The man who says there is a God and then fails to live by His standards is also a fool.

Winter Reading

2011-12-22T04:00:00.000-08:00

With the days "shorter," much colder, and the rain more prevalent during our Pacific Northwest winters I have planned my winter reading. Winter begins December 22, 2011 and comes to an official close on March 20, 2011. On those dark and blusterous winter nights I am going to get warm and cozy and have challenged myself to read the entire two volume set of The Works of Jonathan Edwards.

I have read a number of books, articles, and excerpts from these works but I have never completely read every page. It will be a challenge to work through his diary, the various books he wrote, and many of his sermons. I hope my brain won't explode as I take on the greatest theologian and thinker America has ever produced.

What about you?
What are your winter reading goals?

10 Reasons Why I Believe the Bible Is Inspired

2011-12-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

1. The character of the Scriptures - they resonate with the presence of God through His Holy Spirit. Man could not and would not have conjured up such things as the infinite holiness of God, the absolute depravity of man, or the existence of evil. The character of scripture cries out for divine inspiration.

2. Jesus believed the Scriptures to be inspired. He quoted from and treated the Old Testament as sacred and not as a work of man.

3. The 12 Apostles believed the scriptures to be inspired and from God.

4. The early church and disciples of Jesus believed the Scriptures to be from God. They believed that the Old Testament was from God and accepted the New Testament books of the bible as they were written and distributed.

5. Martyrs believed the bible to be from God. So many gave their lives for the testimony of Christ. They bled and died believing the word to be inspired.

6. The longevity of the Bible. No book or collection of books have affected so many for so long. Great books, classic books, and masterpieces have come and gone but the bible remains and continues to work in the lives of men.

7. The vicious attack on the bible. No book has been hated so much and no book has had so persecution hurled against it. The bible has been hated more than it has been loved.

8. The millions of lives that have been changed by the bible. No book, no writing, no composition has changed vile and heinous sinners into holy men and women of God.

9. The internal witness of the Holy Spirit. As the Holy Spirit bears witness with my spirit that I am a child of God by the work of God as He applies the work of Christ to my heart through faith, the Holy Spirit bears witness that the words of Scripture are the very words of God.

10. The impact that the word has had on my life. I am a changed man. My affections are on things above and not on things below in this earth. My hope is in Christ and that I will be delivered from the body of this death and will live forever with Jesus the Christ.

About Converson: The Effects

2011-12-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

The Effects of True Conversion

According to

Charles H. Spurgeon

True Conversion…

…takes away the despair of the soul; but not true repentance

…gives pardon to a man; but does not make him presumptuous

…gives a man perfect rest; but doesn’t stop progress

…gives a man absolute security; but doesn’t prevent alertness

…gives man holiness; but doesn’t let him boast

…gives a man the desire to live for God; but doesn’t hinder blessed communion with God

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Happy 16th Birthday to my darling granddaughter Madilynn Nicole Metcalf of Vancouver, WA! I love you pumpkin!

About God: God the Father

2011-12-19T09:22:00.000-08:00

Spurgeon Gems

"Beloved Friends, we may well continue to praise God, for our God continues to give us causes for praise!" --1893, Sermon 2296

"Never let us fall into the false notion that if we magnify Christ, we are depreciating the Father. If any lips have ever spoken concerning the Christ of God so as to depreciate the God of Christ, let those lips be covered with shame!" --1894, Sermon 2382

"Whenever we have to praise God, we do we do? We simply say what He is! 'You are this and You are that.' There is no other praise. We cannot fetch anything from anywhere else and bring it to God; the praises of God are simply the facts about Himself! If you want to praise the Lord Jesus Christ, tell the people about Him." --1891, Sermon 2213

"Why is heaven called a city? Because it is a place of fellowship where men meet one another!" --1893, Sermon 2291

Why Does Evil Exist?

2011-12-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

Original sin is the only rational solution of the undeniable fact of the deep, universal and early manifested sinfulness of men in all ages, of every class, and in every part of the world.

---Charles Hodge

Funerals & Public Speaking

2011-12-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two! This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.

--Jerry Seinfeld

Happy Birthday George W!

2011-12-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

December 16, 1714:

Revivalist and evangelist George Whitefield, the best-known figure of the American Great Awakening, is born in Gloucester, England.