Verse 1
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well with my soul."
Refrain (may be sung after final stanza only):
It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.
Verse 2
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul.
Refrain
Verse 3
My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain
Verse 4
O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul.
Yesterday my life changed drastically. I'm deeply sorrowful, I have anger, and bitterness because I'm confused and don't know what happened. Why did God allow this to happen to me? After meeting with my pastor I realized, I'm the reason. I'm a sinful fallen man who is now by the Grace of God being cast into the rock tumbler of life. My biggest problem, I'm rough, really rough, so rough that I've pushed the ones I love the most away. But, the focus of my life was at the wrong place, on me or on my wife or on the current problem I had to solve, but my focus wasn't where it needed to be, It wasn't on Christ.
Today is a the first day of the rest of my life, it's a new day with lots of things I can change to be more Christ like. This morning my son and I read this:
3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:1-17 (ESV)
So, today is the first day of a new man, I need to first take baby steps, putting all my thoughts and actions into an eternal perspective. Everything I think, everything I say can have eternal perspectives on the world around me, I'm just an ambassador representing Christ, and I've done a horrible job. My focus hasn't been on the eternal, it's been on me. Generally I think I'm a smart guy, but the problem is i've been doing all my figuring out trying to get what's best for me, but that's wrong, I need to move from this self motivated movement, to an eternal focus. How will what I say bring Christ glory for what he has done for me. How will my actions be a focus for other people to see Christ.
Today, I need to surrender it all to Christ, for he and only he will know what plans he has laid up for me. I don't know what those plans are, I don't know where my journey will lead me, but I do know the destination is to spend eternity with Him in glory.
Each day I hope to move through this verse and present how my life is changing. Where am I failing, what God is using me to do, and most of all how I can be the person He wants me to be.
The potter is being kinda rough on me today, but I know he's making something worthy of honor in His house.
If you've read this, please keep me in prayer, the day is very dark. Also keep my family lifted in prayer.
With the dawn of 2019, it's got me thinking about the clean slate of a new year. Honestly, 2018 went by so fast I really can't even remember it. It seems that as time goes on, new problems emerge, the result of the 2nd law of thermodynamics I assume. It seems like things I buy wear out faster now than when I was younger. That could be two fold: China is making things cheaper and designed for failure, or maybe time is just moving a bit faster in my perception.
Honestly, I do think time is moving faster than it was last year, and one of the biggest changes I plan to make this year is to document those changes on at least a daily or weekly basis here. I haven't done a great job of it in the past, so a new leaf might make me slow down and enjoy the New Year.
The Format of this blog will change a little bit, I plan to start reviewing content I consume here, This includes comments on blogs I read, podcasts, sermons and music I've heard, books I read, and movies and videos I watch. I hope this to be more of a philosophy of our modern time. I do have another blog where I comment on my own personal Bible study: https://pbssmf.blogspot.com/ feel free to follow me there as we discuss the Word.
So please come back and see more content as I try to build up this blog to something meaningful that can be a blessing to my readers.
Yes, it's another day closer to the "End of the World!" On July 4th 2017, North Korea in an attempt to disturb the United States, decided to launch an ICBM proving to the world they are closer to "World Domination". Understand that South Korea is probably one of our closest allies in the world, we've defended them since the Korean war. There has been peace treaty, just a general cease fire. We are still at war with North Korea, and they know it.
In only a few minutes North Korea could launch a complete artillery strike on the capital of South Korea and level the city, causing mass losses. The North Korean military is hardened, and most of the military positions are below the ground making most conventional war methods mute.
What's wrong with plagiarism? Yesterday the bomb was dropped at the RNC, when Melania Trump plagiarized Michelle Obama's speech. Now, I'm sure Melania didn't write her own speech, actually I'm sure Michelle didn't write it either, but it seems to have happened. What does this day about Donald Trump? What does it say about Melania? What does it say about the entire Republican National Convention? Usually there are people who check this kind of thing. I'm sure Donald Trump has an entire staff of writers who check sources, material, and the context of the writing. There is no reason this should have happened, with modern technology, we have tools called plagiarism checkers. These are databases of source material, and when a fragment of a sentence or a paragraph is found to have a high degree of matching... Then you know you have a problem. The solution, re-write before the speech was even given!
The RNC is on thin ice with Donald Trump, values such as integrity and honesty seem to be lacking as a matter of principle. Republican Donald Trump isn't the Donald we saw eight years ago. At that time, Republican Donald Trump didn't even exist. You see Donald Trump was a totally different person... He was a big government spending Democrat, using every form of corporate welfare to prop up his business. Donald has been a business man, ruthless in getting to the top of the pack. But the attributes of honesty and integrity are not exactly what people see in him, even now.
Over the last year we've heard Republican Donald Trump and we like what he says. It's logical, it makes sense, it's been too long in being said. Our problem- is the "Republican Donald Trump" the real "Donald Trump"? Is this simply a mask to get him elected president? Has he simply plagiarized the entire Tea Party Movement for his gain of power only to ditch it when he's sworn into office. Honesty and integrity come over time... respect isn't given, it's earned and it takes time, so too with integrity. This slip-up isn't so much a slip-up, rather it's a systematic example of the character of the man who will be the next President of the United States.
By no means do I like Hillary, but please Mr. Trump, please give me something to hold onto! I'm about ready to turn in my Republican Card and ditch the party. No matter what happens, I don't see anything good happening in America for the next 20 years or so... if we last!
"S. D. G." (for Soli Deo Gloria) at the end of a G. F. Handel manuscript
I'm often taken back by the "political" inter-workings of church congregations. Often times you will find groups of individuals that tend to operate aspects of the church, be it food preparation, grounds keeping duties, cleaning functions, Sunday school boards, mission boards. These groups serve purposes, of course, good purposes and those members should be appreciated... they are appreciated. Good works, this is what the christian should be focused on doing. But my question is... to what end?
I can't directly question the motivation of all individuals, because many do take the rolls seriously and see it as a direction to bring glory to God alone. But many, it's a job of personal satisfaction, they do the job in order to receive praise. As a child and young adult I often attended churches that would have "special music" during the service, which was a code word for someone performing. I have a problem with this during corporate worship, because when we clap after that person has sung or played an instrument... is that applause for them? If the entire worship service is, in fact worship, the subject of our worship is on God.
This got me thinking... about the five Solas. The five latin phrases that were the diving force of the reformation. However, many today in the "Modern" church probably haven't even heard or tread upon these short nuggets:
Sola Fide, by faith alone.
Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.
Solus Christus, through Christ alone.
Sola Gratia, by grace alone.
Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone.
Where am I going... well in these quick phrases we get some big, huge ideas. First it's by faith and only faith that we are saved, not by works, not by doing good things, not by working at the church, it's the faith that is given by God. We know this, because of the Bible, and it's the Bible alone that provides this revelation. It is through Christ Alone we are saved, because it is the work of Christ that saves us, not our work, our faith is in the finished work of Christ who satisfied the Father's wrath against us and our sinful nature. Why did Christ do this? It was by Grace, meaning it was a free gift of incomprehensible value, bestowed to us while we are still sinners, reviving us, making us a new creation, regeneration. Why was all this done? To give all the glory to God alone, it is to show that God, while Holy and wrathful, is loving and kind, he shows mercy and grace. We don't need to be praised for our works, God gets the Glory of our works, we should humbly submit them to Him... Alone.
There is a huge wave of ignorance and superstition that has entered our modern churches, where the act of worship is now just a big concert. This is inexcusable! Just because we have some personal need to be a "super star" doesn't mean it needs to come out at church, our purpose at church is to Worship God... Alone!
The need for self validation is in itself pride and stubbornness. If we are truly in Christ, we have no Self-esteem, we don't live for ourselves, we live for Christ, so anything we do is a reflection of Christ to the world. If we are trying to glean that praise for ourselves... then we are living in idolatry.
I've also heard it said that the church worship service should be a beacon of light to the dead world, so making it "seeker sensitive" or making it more like a big flashy pop concert is more comfortable to them. I disagree, the wicked never willingly come into the presence of God. Our services should be to the Glory of God alone, not to our glory, not the the praise of man. If we play this idea of "seeker sensitive" out, then we should water down our doctrine and theology and try to meet them where they are... Hence the hypocrisy, these "seekers" have their own sense of deity which unless quickened by God, is pagan practice, thus it leads to no good result... At this point we've just spoiled all the dough with just a pinch of leaven. Motivation is everything... and it's the fine hair splitting between God centered and man centered world views.
Worship is an action of the heart, the inner being of a person, the whole person. If that - Worship isn't completely directed to God, then it's not Sola Dei Gloria.
This is an observation of my life, and this is the question I need to take with me daily: to who's glory am I doing this task?
This is a new feature of my blog, I hope to read a book each month and give you a review, and maybe some ideas. Of course I have to start with one of my favorite pastors, Voddie Baucham Jr., If you've gotten to watch the G3 videos from last year, this was a major topic of discussion. Consider reading along this month.
Expository Apologetics: Answering Objections with the Power of the Word
by Voddie Baucham Jr. (Author)
Click Below to order your copy
Hello, everyone, no matter your born or assumed gender, you are a person, unless you've decided upon an assumed species which is not human, then greetings to... well you! The complex thing we call language is being even more corrupted with the addition of general neutral pronouns - such as em, Em, hum, pehm, per, thon, jem, ver, xem, zir, zem, hir, mer, zhim. "Hello Spivak, Elverson, Humanist, and Peh.. I'm glad Eir, Eir Hus, Pheh Thons, Jeir, Vis, Xyr, Zir, Hir, Zer have all visited this page today"... I think I got that wrong, but I'm so confused... gender confusion.
You see, How do I actually meet people today, Do I say "You" or do I say "It", which could be rude in both ways to two differnt... Things/People/Girls/Boys/Humanist/Women/Men.. again a confusion with pro-nouns.
Next will be clothing, I can see a day where only single gender clothing is available... one size fits all (can't discriminate there).. only come in one color (white of course, because we can't discriminate against the color blind).. One style (because that would discriminant against the people (and other things) who, have and don't have style). I'm so confused at this point, so here you go: non-gender shorts (of course without a fly, but fashioned after boxer shorts), tight form fitting spandex non-gender chest underwear (bra is forbidden, bare chest also forbidden) and to cover it all up a single sheet worn like a toga. Of course at this point, why would we even bother going to Target, does it really matter?
I do know that for me, I'm currently male, and I plan to remain a male until I die. I have a wife, who by my choice happened to be female (she's happy being female), and we are married. You can refer to me as Mr., Sir., Him, Himself, He, or even You, or Them when in a group. Please don't refer to me as it or any of the new pronouns, or I might become uncontrollably agitated, and then become a big green monster. At that point you can call me IT.
Josh Duggar is a filthy wretched sinner! There I said it, What's new, other than we all thought he was a pretty nice guy. It's crazy how the media makes it seem like he was the only client of Ashley Madison, they are like piranhas with a drop of blood in the water. Slowly the truth is relieved, yes Josh has been unfaithful to his wife. Yes, he is a filthy wretched individual, yes he deserves to go to Hell and suffer eternal torment for his actions. That is the facts. It could get much worse for Josh, I'm sure, but does it matter at this point? What more can the court of public opinion do to Josh?
When we pan out from the tree and look at the forest, we see something even more disturbing. Josh wasn't the only client of Ashley Madison, actually he was one of 37 million. That's a lot of people on a website that is specifically designed for people to cheat. Yes, this was Adultery Central for several countries, which only started in 2001. Now I know people have been committing adultery for centuries, actually even back when Joseph was a slave in Egypt he was solicited. Nothing new here.
Funny thing is, when people are asked about the ten commandments, those laws given to Moses by God, there was a line item about just this issue... "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Exodus 20:14. Yes, Josh broke this along with 37 million people, but it doesn't stop there...
Jesus said:
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." - Mattew 5:27-30 Wow... now Josh can be lumped in with a bunch of people... most red blooded men have actually done this, even if they didn't actually physically commit the act. It's the condition of the heart! Now one thing for Josh is, well he hasn't murdered anyone... Well hold your horses there... Jesus also said: "21Ye
have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill;
and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22But
I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a
cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his
brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall
say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." -Matthew 5:21-22
So if you call a person a fool (even if you just think it and don't say it) you've committed murder in your heart! Wow... We just went from 1 to 37 million to the whole world and all of history. Guess what, we are all bad people, we are all terrible wretched sinners, we all deserve Hell. Is there anything we can do to save ourselves, the Bible is clear on that one also, there is nothing we can do in ourselves.
But the Gospel... how about that? How about it? Does Josh deserve the gospel? Do those 37 Million cheaters deserve the Gospel? Does anyone deserve the gospel... No! We don't deserve it. That's the point, the Gospel is all about grace. Many people think it's about "turning over a new leaf", but there is nothing you can do to make yourself right before God. So what is the Gospel? Come back tomorrow and we will discuss this one! Until then stew in the thought that Josh Duggar and Me aren't a whole lot different. Actually... we are all a whole lot alike deep down inside. We are all sinners and we all deserve Hell!
I was listening today to The Briefing by Albert Mohler, who brought up a very interesting story of a couple in Canada who is going to raise their child named "Echo", not as a boy, but rather to allow him to choose his species. Yes, we've moved beyond gender selection, to species selection. Echo might not be human. I've seen children go through phases where they want to be a horse, so they gallop about acting like a horse. The fact is, most children realize at some point, by acting like a particular species doesn't make you a particular species. The real question is: are the parents who are taking this stance being abusive? Not physically abusive, but mentally abusive?
Our cat just gave birth to three kittens several weeks ago. Now our cat is starting to ween these kits, and in the process she's teaching them how to fend for themselves, teaching them to hunt, and climb trees, and do the things good outdoor cats should know. This is instinct, but it's also necessary, she's teaching them to be cats! I don't think these kittens even have a species crises, they are simply accepting the fact that they are cats. We do have a cat who's best friend is a dog, but she is still a cat, and still acts like a cat, and the dog acts like a dog, they just get along great!
Is it abusive to raise your child as something they are not? Boys are boys, and girls are girls. Your will doesn't change the fact. By thinking I'm a great artist doesn't make me an artist, by thinking I'm a cat doesn't make me a cat. Would it be cruel for my parents to raise me to be an artist even when it was obvious I had no ability or talent, leading me on to adulthood thinking I'm great, when in reality my talents were else where, never developing who I truly was.
Lastly, what's wrong with being male or female; being any ethnicity, being any nationality, or being human? This is plain and simple rebellion from God, the creator of each of us. He has a plan, and sorry to say, in Echo's case, his parents don't like it. I do hope Echo realizes it's wonderful to be a human boy, and that God made him so special that he doesn't need him to think he is anything other than what he thinks he is.
Ten Commandments at the Texas State Capital in Austin , Texas
I'm often astounded by people, brothers and sisters in the church who hold to anti-biblical views. Often they are swayed by the media, this is loving, and if this is loving you must embrace it. I see "Christians" flock to ideas like evolution, global warming, overpopulation, abortion rights and sexual perversions simply because they are shown in such a positive light on television. They don't see how this world view is actually a contradiction of a biblical or Christian worldview. But why should they?
Many of our churches are not centers of theology (Growing in a better understanding of God and His nature), but are simply a place to exchange "Warm and Fuzzy" feelings. We leave the "God who hates sin and is full of wrath for those who defy His Holiness" at the door. There is only a place for a God who loves and accepts everyone, sorta a god of our own making. Even the quote attributed to St. Augustine "Hate the sin love the sinner" could even be construed as being unkind and hateful. How can you separate a sin like homosexuality from a man? It's now his identity, and it's endorsed as "normal" by our media and now our government.
Today my pondering isn't about homosexuality. I'm sure I'll write more on that at a later time, but today I must write this to those who call themselves "Christians". Who take upon themselves the identity of Jesus Christ, who we believe is God in flesh. Theology must be our life, our desire, our everything. We must be daily seeking knowledge in God's word, to know how to live as a distinct and holy people. We need to learn how to live in a world, but not become part of a world. To see the world as God see's the world.
To many Christians choose to have an opinion that is anti-biblical, thus picking and choosing what parts of the Bible they feel is 'relevant', to today. What weight does an opinion have if its not grounded in truth? Our truth isn't pop psychology, new trends in philosophy, or even the current events, our truth is the total and whole word of God. Every last part of it shows a God who doesn't change, and who loves holiness and purity.
But what is holiness and purity, since most churches have all but taken the ten commandments down, and stored them in the closet fearing that they be seen as legalism. We don't even know the standards. How can we be sinful if we don't know what sin is? In the book of Judges, a common phrase "the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord" over and over again. This is very similar to our current era, maybe we could say "the Christians did evil in the eyes of the Lord". This standard was a comparison to God's law, they decided they knew what to do, and the standard slid. I know we aren't saved by keeping the law, no one can keep it perfectly. The law is like a ruler to tell us what is right and wrong. If we don't know that we are wrong, how can we every ask God to make us right? How can we be saved if we have no idea what we are saved from (like the wrath of God). We are commanded to keep the law of God with us, why? Because the law of God, whether we like it or not, is God's standard of perfection. Of course we can't keep the law, and we've each broken every one of the commandments, but Jesus did keep it, and he was perfect, how can we appreciate and love Him more if we don't know what He did for us?
In judges 21:25 it says - "Back in those days, Israel didn't yet have a king, so each person did whatever seemed right in his own opinion.", is that were we are today?
God's law is not an opinion, it's an absolute truth. The Facts are simple: God is Holy, we are not holy. When we try to find gray, we are actually "doing whatever seems right in our own opinion."
Funny how when people around the world think of Americans, they think of massive wealth, and a society where people are self centered. The thing is, they are right. Americans do have wealth, incrementally more than most nations. But the self centered issue kind of hits a sore spot. I think it's probably more of a generational thing, but I'm seeing it from several different generations.
I started watching a TV Show called 'Selfie', about a girl -Eliza Doolittle who has a huge problem, she can't see beyond herself. She is attached to her phone telling her 'friends' about herself, but can't form any meaningful or real relationships with people. She's constantly competing against "friends" we can't see, and turning away any kind of friendship with people in her office. My point is Eliza is our society today, people in love with themselves, but they can't see beyond the mirror they hold. Is it easy to unconditionally love yourself?
When I was a kid, I learned the 'Golden Rule', do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When Jesus spoke those words, I'm sure the people who heard them said... "What?" The nation of Israel was invaded by the Romans, it was every man for himself. Did this include the Romans, or just other Jews? Jesus answered "Love your Enemy as yourself". You see there is a paradox here, If you love other people deeply, without condition, you are demonstrating and expressing the love that God shows to us.
Americans are self centered, but on general, some of the most generous people in the world live in America. Though the media jabs and makes fun of us, let's put down our phones and computers and start sitting down and talking instead of texting.
I'm sure unless you've been living under a rock for the last few months, you've heard about Ebola in the news. People are scared, I mean really scared. If a person sneezes or coughs I worry about riots. Even though there are only 3 cases of Ebola in the United States, the fear of death seems real. Death is real, and it's an unavoidable statistic: 10 out of 10 people will die. But if someone sneezes on you, what are your chances of getting Ebola? Honestly, it's astronomical, literally impossible.
So why all the fear? Maybe because we've come the realization that the Government isn't perfect. They made some big mistakes. Today we find that the CDC's precautions to hospitals weren't exactly perfect, and two nurses have Ebola now. People have place a lot of faith in the United State Government to know what to do, and when they don't do it right, our faith is often shattered. The problem is, the US Government isn't perfect, they can only do what they think is right, and until it's proven, it's a lucky guess at best.
So should we fear Ebola? My answer is no! Check this out - Luke 7:4-7
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.5 But
I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has
been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you,
fear him.6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Fear nothing except for God, because even death isn't to be feared. It's what happens after death, and the One to who has the authority to throw us into Hell. Who is that? God. Not only does He know who we are, He's numbered the hairs on our head. God is in control, total control. We don't need to fear death, we need to fear the creator of all things. Jesus who spoke these words continued:
8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
The Gospel is profound, we all deserve to die and be separated from God. We currently live in a state of grace, but one day we will die and will be judged. Either we are judged on our merits, which are wicked, or we are judged on Christs finished work, which was perfect. By publicly acknowledging Christ, we are admitting we are wrong, that we need to be forgiven, that we need to turn from our wicked ways, and we need to trust in the whole work for Jesus for our salvation. Ebola can only kill the body, it's not evil, and it doesn't need to be feared.
God alone needs to be feared, and we must learn to love and honor Him above all other things.
Advent again is almost upon us, normally the season of Christmas starts
about an hour after the thanksgiving turkey has been devoured. Actually it seems like they were putting up the Christmas decorations even before Halloween. This year I have a plan - a plan to look forward as I reflect back upon Christ's Birth. Advent can be really special if we seek to make it special. I'm not going to focus on wants, but what we've already been given, and use that for His glory. As I put this plan together, I've also included links to videos of performances of the Messiah, the best music focusing on the person of Jesus Christ. Written by George Frederic Handel, this oratorio was first performed as a benefit to support a hospital in Ireland. By playing small sections of this I hope to inoculate a younger generation to the enjoyment of great music. Each video I picked is different, from different places in the world, and different styles to see the global impact that G.F. Handel made.
So please follow along with our family as we prepare for Advent.
Instructions for Advent Family Study:
1) This is a daily event that would happen before or after a meal, it will take roughly 20 minutes, which includes prayer, scripture reading, hymn singing, discussion, and watching a video (Messiah).
2) The Advent candles are a set of 3 purple candles, one rose, and one white colored candles, that are in a wreath or centerpiece to the table. Candles are progressively lit, week after week. Check out Google Shopping
3) Plan ahead, make sure you have the hymn printed out and maybe download the midi file or an actual recording. have your computer or MP3 player ready so everything goes smoothly.
4) Make sure everyone is prepared for what will happen, delegate responsibilities to the children and adults: light the candle, read, lead the hymn, or pray.
5) This is a form of liturgy, a way to organize your study and focus on the scripture, don't limit yourself to doing just the framework, I'm looking for ideas to make these lessons come to life for my family. Maybe it might be a craft project, or a new song, or an illustration.
6) Depending on your children's age and temperament, adjust.
I woke up this morning with a simple tune in my head, but a profound thought:
My hope is in the Lord
Who gave Himself for me
And paid the price
Of all my sin at Calvary.
[chorus] For me He died;
For me He lives,
And everlasting life
And light He freely gives.
No merit of my own
His anger to suppress
My only hope is found
In Jesus’ righteousness [chorus] And now for me He stands
Before the Father’s throne
He shows His wounded hands
And names me as His own.
[chorus]
His grace has planned it all
‘Tis mine but to believe
And recognize His work of love
And Christ receive.
[chorus]
Sometimes we need to be reminded that our own efforts have no bearing in our eternal life. Yes, it's not what we do or did, but what Christ did for us - For Me, He Died For Me He Lives, what a glorious promise. My striving in this world needs to be not for me, not to please God, but simply a reflection of that fact He's actually done it all, and I'm simply the tool for his Glory. Jesus paid the price of my sin at Calvary, I am debt free with God on Jesus behalf. How glorious.
A few years ago we were having problems with our car, the transmission had gone, and now other things were going bad. Our son at the time was having a lot of medical issues, and we needed a reliable vehicle. One Saturday we received a phone call from a car dealership who asked us to come down and pick up a car that someone had purchased for us... We were shocked, someone knew our need, Yes God knew our needs. When we arrived at the dealership I was expecting to get a used run-down car, but was so happy to get that, it was going to be a blessing if it ran. The sales manager sat us down in his office and told us that he had never had anything like this before, a couple had purchased a car in our name, simply given the dealership a blank check. They were to remain anonymous, but the vehicle was paid in full and ours to take. He told us that they had selected a few vehicles for us to choose from, my expectations were some old cars, but still so thankful.
As we walked out of the dealership office, the sales manager was leading us to the 'New Car' lot, not the used car lot... There must have been a mistake, I'm worthy of a used car, but not of a new car. He pointed us to the most expensive cars on the lot, A Suburban, a Tahoe and an Equinox, fully loaded with all the bells and whistles. This is a mistake, I'm not worthy of these cars, but the sales manager assured me, there was no mistake. This was a limited and low demonstration of Gods Grace.
Jesus Gave it all, he Gave his life, For Me! I should be placed under the wrath of God, my penalty is much to great. I've violated His law over and over again, without even thinking about it. How many times have I not placed Him first in my mind, how many times have I used His Name carelessly, How many times have I created idols things that I place in value over God, How many times have I not honoured Him in a time of rest. I am a child of wrath among a people of wrath, I deserve nothing.
My hope is in the Lord, He Gave Himself for Me and paid the debt of all my sin on Calvary. What a blessing it is not to pay a monthly car payment, but more than that, what a blessing it is not to pay penitence for my violations of God's law. The books have been settled, not just for now, but eternally.
So what is my response? What should I do? I don't have to do anything, it's Done! The funny thing is... I want to do anything for Him, I'll mop the bathroom at church, I'll help people in need. I'm like a homeless person who gets a life saving meal, I don't just eat, I go and tell my friends and family, I drag people in because I know they need it also, I write about it, I sing about it, I live it each and every day! I'm willing to give it all away for Him because my hope isn't on Me... My Hope is in the Lord.
Last Sunday during worship I had the pleasure of being reminded of the great hymn "Wonderful Grace of Jesus". The melody of this hymn is upbeat, but it's the message that truly tugged at my heart:
Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it.
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free,
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
That's the wonderful fact of the grace of Jesus, it's greater than my sin! It's greater than the sins of the worst sinner, and His righteousness is imputed to me, my sins were then imputed to Him. This is the great exchange between me and Jesus, now my righteousness isn't mine, it's Christ's in me. I now have liberty, but my desire isn't to do sin, but to follow The One who did so much for me.
The chorus sums up the emotional response:
Wonderful the matchless grace, the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea, the rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all-sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame;
O magnify the precious name of Jesus,
Praise His name!
After the surprising decision by the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday, I was thinking about how Obamacare really is going to change my life. Will it cause me hardship or will it eliminate problems in my future, or cause problems with my posterity. From a humanistic side, I see a tidal wave of power given to the federal government, reducing my personal liberty and freedom. I know that those freedoms and liberties were granted to my forefathers with a specific caveat: freedom and liberty must be maintained, and when any power is handed to an entity like the federal government, it is totally lost by the individual. Now our federal government has the right to tax (or penalize) us for what they determine is a bad decision. If a person doesn't believe in insurance they could be required to pay a tax or be sent to prison. Today I see that our federal laws are cumbersome, our constitution has multitudes of interpretations, and the U.S. Supreme court is not our country's saviour, neither is the President of the United States, Nor is Congress. Our problem is far deeper, and much more spiritual than those superficial offices. We live in a society that worships at the alter of itself. The people want more hand outs, but they want to work less. They want the government to take care of all the basic 'rights' to include healthcare, food, comfort. But my hope isn't in government... It's not in me either. Insurance is not the answer, because insurance can become insolvent, so can the government. Psalm 188:8 says "It is better to take refuge in theLordthan to trust in humans.". My trust is not invested in the government, my total trust is in the person of Jesus Christ, my Saviour. God is the great healer, the provider, the master of all. He is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, and every living thing in the universe is under his dominion. I don't need to fear about tomorrow, because tomorrow is in His capable hands. I know my Hope is in Christ, I don't need the government to take care of my needs, because it's in providence.
2011 is almost over, it's been an eventful year, a growing year, and a challenging year. I found these questions helpful in looking forward to the next year:
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression than I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite? 2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate? 3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what I was told to me in confidence? 4. Can I be trusted? 5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits? 6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying? 7. Did the Bible live in me today? 8. Do I give it time to speak to me every day? 9. Am I enjoying prayer? 10. When did I last speak to someone else of my faith? 11. Do I pray about the money I spend? 12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time? 13. Do I disobey God in anything? 14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy.? 15. Am I defeated in any part of my life? 16. Am I jealous impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrusting? 17. How do I spend my spare time? 18. Am I proud? 19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican? 20. Is there anyone I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? I If so, what am I doing about it? 21. Do I grumble or complain constantly? 22. Is Christ real to me?
