Book Reading

So, with 2008 upon us, I asked a friend of mine what recommendations he had for books to read next year. I know that he is an avid reader, so I thought his suggestions would be good. Anyway, this is what he replied to me with, and it is worth sharing with others, so I decided to just copy it as my blog post for the day :) I hope it is profitable to all... (this email has been edited from its original format to fit your computer screen).

Andy, your question regarding books is a good one. I fear oftentimes that people have no plan for their reading, and end up not reading anything at all. So, I am glad that you are pursuing this area. Here are my recommendations for you:

Start by deciding on what areas in your life that are either most important to you, you want to grow in or improve upon. Maybe you start with a list like:

Relationship with God/Devotional
Marriage
Prayer
Children
Missions / Evangelism

Obviously judging by how much time you will be able to read will depend on how big the list is. With Institute and other obligations, maybe you shorten the list by combining Marriage and children to one book on the family, etc. Once you think of the areas of like you want to improve on, select a book for each area. For example:

Relationship with God/Devotional – The Mortification of Sin by John Owen
Marriage – His Needs Her Needs by Willard F. Harley Jr.
Prayer – Praying Backwards by Bryan Chapell
Children – What a Daughter Needs from Her Dad by Michael Farris
Missions – Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret or Peace Child by Don Richardson
Evangelism – Seek and to Save by Paul Chappell

This plan also helps me guard against always just reading books from one genre like “missions” and neglecting the other ministries in my life that God has given me stewardship over and wants me to continue to grow in.

Andy, we all know these are important ministries in our lives that we all wish we were better at, however it amazes me that many of us have no plan on improving in these areas. I think if you read a book each year on particular areas of your life you want to improve in, you will be “forward a year ago” in these areas.

Once you do this, if you want recommendations on a particular area, let me know and I will be happy to help you.

Take
care,

Michael

Just a friend's thoughts...

Cursed Alarm Clocks

(Proverbs 27:14) He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

I think this verse proves without a shadow of a doubt that alarm clocks are of the devil! Loud voice... early in the morning... A CURSE!

If you haven't figured it out yet, I don't like waking up early in the morning. Though, I think Sarah thinks that alarm clocks are more of a curse than I do. But, if alarm clocks are of the devil, and I am still supposed to wake up early, then I've still got a long way to go! I envy those people that wake up early in the morning without alarm clocks ready to meet with God.

Anyway, it is also possible that I am misapplying this verse. Kind of like when you go to take a test, and you tell the teacher (after being sent to the principle's office), but the Bible says, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."

Just a thought...

Would you please stop sharing?

Did you know that the Bible doesn't talk about sharing? We all have our Christmas presents now, and we like to teach our kids how to share. But, that's really not what the Bible teaches us.

Luke 6:35: But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Verse 38 of the same chapter says to: Give. When it says, "lend" it is suggested, commanded, to lend with no expectation of return. Lend, hoping for nothing again.

I think maybe when it's time to "share" our toys, we should "give" our toys. The Bible promises that we will receive reward for doing it.

So, that being said, Can I borrow your iPod?

Just a thought...

Given to Change

(Proverbs 24:21) My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

There are many applications of this verse to our lives, but I have noticed one these past couple weeks. "Given to change" is presented in this verse as being a negative thing. How about with regards to schedule? My schedule has not been very consistent for a couple weeks: working some strange shifts; not having to work for a couple days... it has just thrown my schedule off a bit.

Now, I'm not saying that I am "given to change" because of that, but I see some ways in which change, for change's sake, can be detrimental:

1) It becomes even harder for me to wake up in the morning - The past couple days I was able to sleep in as long as the kids did. So, when it was time to wake up for work this morning... not so good.

2) Normally family time gets interrupted - There was a 24 hour period there last week, where I did not see my kids. I didn't like that. Spending time with the family is obviously important, and kids need a dad around.

3) Lunch-Time thoughts get interrupted - Do I have to say any more about this?

Those that are given to change -
Will likely end up out on the range.

There, three points and a poem.

Just a thought...

Answer... no, Don't Answer

This can be one of the most confusing parts of the Bible. Right behind, God was made man.

Proverbs 26:4-5 says, "Answer not a fool according to his folly... Answer a fool according to his folly..." Which is it? Answer or not? I was reminded of this passage when reading the comments on my post from yesterday.

Anyway, should I answer it, or not? The rest of those verses help us out.

Don't answer a fool "according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him." This is saying, if someone says, "I am the judgment seat of Christ" or something like that, then I would be like him if I were to say some smart-allecy response back to him. If I 'played along' with him, then I would be like him. I would be answering him in the same way that he was - according to his folly.

Answer a fool "according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit." This is saying that if someone is speaking foolishly, that we ought not to just ignore it and pretend everything is ok. Mr., you are not the things you say you are. The Bible describes things differently.

Ok, so, to answer a fool, don't answer him foolishly, but at the same time, and answer is needed or he'll think everything's ok.

Just a thought...

Daily Exhortation

One of the verses in the Bible that has motivated me to stay consistent daily with this blog is Hebrews 3:13: "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." We are told to daily incite fellow believers to good works (that's the definition of: exhort). So, I have been daily trying to incite my readers to good works by my different posts.

Well, these past couple of days, I have seen the importance of having good Christian friends around you, to do the same, to help encourage and incite me to do good works. And I am very appreciative of it.

For example, these past two days I have failed to post on my blog. The reason? Slothfulness, and too much work. That makes sense??? Slothful in that in my free time that I did have, I didn't do it, and too much work in that I couldn't get away from my job enough to do it either.

Anyway, I have learned different methods of encouragment though from the comments that were made here too. For example (no names given to protect the innocent and guilty):

Method Number 1: REBUKE
"Lunch time thoughts Andy! Lunch time. Not dinner time thoughts. Sigh." This method is used to point out the fault. Some may notice that this rebuke actually came when I had not even missed a blog post, just was a bit late on it. But, apparently it was prophetic as I missed the next two. And I did appreciate the reply comment saying that the previous comment came from someone who hadn't posted in a week, but I will let that go.

Method Number 2: CONCERN and COMPASSION
"Now I'm afraid - this is the longest you've ever gone without posting! Did you get what Sarah had?!" This method of exhortation can also be called, Grace. There is notice that there is a flaw, but rather than rebuke, a show of concern over my well-being and compassion is made. This encourages me in a positive way to continue on doing right.

Method Number 3: FLATTERY
"Has anyone seen this blogs author? He's not answering his e-mail, he's not blogging...did I miss the Rapture?" This method of inciting me to good works would be flattery (streeetching here...). The commenter is saying, Andy, it may be you're the only one saved around here, and so a plausible explanation for your absence is that you were raptured up, and we were left behind. This method of exhortation encourages me in thinking that people actually care about what I write. That there is a reason to go on... :)

Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for the exhortation!

(Hebrews 10:24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:(Hebrews 10:25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Just a thought...

The Waters Were Afraid!

As I was preparing for Home Bible Study today, these verses struck me... The waters were afraid! What a God!

(Psalms 77:16) The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
(Psalms 77:17) The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.
(Psalms 77:18) The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

Good News... Bad News...

Good News: Jesus died for your sins...

Ok, there's other good news too. The House passed a resolution yesterday, recognizing the importance of Christmas and of the Christian faith. The Resolution passed 372 to 9. Just for the record, here's the Resolution:

Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and the world... Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ...Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and the rest of the world, celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others: Now, therefore be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world; (2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide; (3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith; (4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization; (5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and (6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.

I'm impressed. That looks pretty good to me. Maybe there is still hope!

Ok, now for the bad news. I mentioned that 9 people voted against the Resolution. You know what, that's really no big deal, there are enough anti-religious people in the House, that it makes sense there would be opposition. Until you consider this:

In October of this year, there was a Resolution that passed in the House recognizing the importance of Ramadan. That Resolution passed with a 376-0 vote. However, there were 9 Representatives that thought it worth their while to voice opposition to Christmas. None of them voiced opposition to Ramadan. Two of them voted for the Ramadan Resolution. Apparently the other seven just didn't vote.

Two Representatives voted in favor of recognizing the importance of Ramadan and voted against recognizing the importance of Christmas... I haven't done the research yet to see who they were...

And just for the record, here's the Ramadan Resolution:

Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar year; and Whereas the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan commenced at dusk on September 13, 2007, and continues for one lunar month: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world; (2) expresses friendship and support for Muslims in the United States and worldwide; (3) acknowledges the onset of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and conveys its respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this occasion; (4) rejects hatred, bigotry, and violence directed against Muslims, both in the United States and worldwide; and (5) commends Muslims in the United States and across the globe who have privately and publicly rejected interpretations and movements of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence, and terror.

Anyway, I would like to thank Liberty Counsel for pointing this all out to me.

Just a thought...

Better Promises

As I was reading through Hebrews 8 this morning, I think I learned something. Now, maybe I'm just slow and everybody else really already got this, but I'm just getting it now.

In Hebrews 8, it says that this New Covenant which we find ourselves living under, is a better covenant. The author of Hebrews, aka Paul, is reviewing what he has written so far in the book. He tells how the Priest is better, how the Sanctuary is better (being a heavenly one, not earthly), and he just says it's a better covenant. And then he adds, "established upon better promises."

Now, I can take this two ways, and I think the latter is closer to the truth. But first, this new covenant was established upon better promises could mean that the actual Promises were better under the new testament. That is, if in the Old Testament there was no such thing as eternal security, then the Promise of eternal security is a better promise.

Secondly, though, and I believe more in tune, I think the rewards of the promise is better. The Old Testament made with Moses was not a conditional promise to have everlasting life, but rather physical, temporal blessings. For example, Honor thy father and mother, that thy days may be long upon the land. Whereas in the New Testament, He tells us of an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven.

I guess my hangup was with the question, "Well, how were people saved under the Old Testament?" The answer, from what I can tell, is not found in the Old Testament. The Mosaic Covenant did not save people. I think the salvation of saints before Christ came outside of that covenant... by God's grace given to those that had a faith that manifested itself by its works.

Just a thought...

Christ's Inheritance

(If you have not read yesterday's post, I would recommend you do so before reading this one. And it wouldn't be a bad idea to go through the comments as well!)

Seth, my fellow Institute Senior, made a comment yesterday about how Christ learned obedience. And though I was vaguely familiar with the statement, I was not sure where it came from. God is good. This morning my daily reading had me in the book of Hebrews chapter 5. I include verses 7-9 here, talking about Jesus:

(Hebrews 5:7) Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
(Hebrews 5:8) Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
(Hebrews 5:9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

We find reinforced here the point made that Father God was able to save His Son from death. The implication of verse 8 is that even though Jesus was the Son, He learned obedience through suffering to become a priest that could bear our infirmities. We find in verse 9 that Jesus became the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey Him, as He had obeyed His Father. Where are you going with all this, Andy? I'm glad you asked.

I can find two or three reasons why Jesus went to the cross. It is more than just because of His love for us. Yesterday, I de-emphasized that point, and was politely refuted in the comments that were made to me. So, three reasons why Jesus went to the cross:

1) Because of His love for us.

Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. Before the incarnation, He shared in all of the glory of the Father. They are One in essence. Even though the time in the Garden confuses my weak understanding of the Trinity, the truth is that They even then were One. God so loved the world that He gave Jesus. God commendeth His love towards us by having Christ die for us. Jesus is God.

2) Because of His love for His Father.

This, I suppose, is the point that I emphasized yesterday. And, in my reading in Hebrews today, there was a cross reference to John, that further proves that I was right in making this point. The context of John 14 has Jesus telling His disciples that He was going to be leaving them, referring to the cross. John 14:31: "But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence." He tells them that His love to the Father, is that He is going to obey Him. Earlier in the chapter He said, If ye love me, keep my commandments. He demonstrates: I love my Father, I am going to keep His commandment of the cross. My point is further spoken of in John 10:18: "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."

But the context of that last verse in John 10 leads me to my third reason that Jesus went to the cross, and I believe that I completely ignored this one yesterday:

3) Because of His expected inheritance.

Hebrews 12:2: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the trhone of God." Jesus endured the cross, "for the joy that was set before him." What was that Joy?

Phillipians 2:7-8, 9-11: "...form of a servant... likeness of men... fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Jesus laid down His life for His sheep. The sheep, John 10:29 tells us, are given to Jesus by the Father. The sheep (those that believe in Christ) are Jesus' inheritance, His reward. Jesus is to be the firstborn among many brethren.

There is more to my third reason that I have posted here, but alas, my time fails me, and I have already written more than most of you will read! So, I welcome your comments to try to expound on this third reason that Christ went to the cross - for His expected inheritance.

Just a thought...

It Was Not His Will

Ok, this blog is full of my "thoughts." I do not always think the same as other people. For that matter, usually I think differently than most people. That being said, I request right now that you put on your very discerning eyes as you read this. I am sharing with you some thoughts that I have on some subjects relating to God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I am going to suggest some things that you may have never heard before, and that perhaps I am wrong about, but they are thoughts that have come to me while reading His word. So, bear with me. I welcome all feedback, just be sure to keep it discerned as well.

Let me start with this, I believe that Jesus was a fairly wise Man. Wouldn't you say? He wouldn't just say something glibly or off the cuff, but everything He ever said was true, purposed and meaningful.

I heard in church yesterday a phrase that I have heard often before, "Jesus willingly gave up His life for us." And while hearing some of the lyrics in some of the music that I heard as well, my attention focused to the garden of Gethsemane. In the Garden, Jesus prayed three times to His Father. In the Garden, His soul was exceeding sorrowful. He was in such agony that His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Recognize that this time in the Garden must have been a time of turmoil in the universe. So, what about Jesus' will in regards to the Cross?

"he... fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me..." The cup He refers to is the cup of the judgment of God. The cup that pours out God's wrath upon the sin of this world. Jesus was about to be made sin for us, and the cup was ready to be poured out on Him. Jesus prays, having fallen to His face, sweating drops of blood, "Father, IF IT BE POSSIBLE, let this cup pass from me."

Not only that, Mark records (Mar 14:36) the prayer using these words, "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me..." Jesus recognized that Yes, it was possible for the cup to pass away from Him. It would have been possible for God to say, "You know what, I have shown enough love to the world by giving them my word, by giving them rain and allowing them to live. I have given them life and knowledge of what is right, and it is NOT My fault that they have rebelled against Me. I have loved them enough, I choose not to give them My Son as well." That would have been just and fair of God to have done. Jesus knew this. He said, It is possible. He makes this request to God the Father: "Take away this cup from me." Jesus is not speaking lightly. This is a moment of agony and sorrow. Jesus truly meant what He said.

We all know the next phrase that Jesus says, after making this request to the Father to spare Him: "Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Did Jesus mean that? Did He mean when He said, "not my will be done?" My suggestion is that Jesus' will was NOT to suffer the shame of the cross for you and me. His will was to be spared from that hour. His desire was that God would exercise His omnipotent sovereignty and let the cup pass from Him, and to keep Him from that hour.

Jesus did not want to suffer the wrath of God for me.

I believe that Philippians 2:5-8 gives us the clarification of that phrase, that I really don't like saying. It says that Jesus humbled Himself. Being equal and sharing in the glory of God the Father, Jesus took on Himself the form and fashion of a servant man. And the phrase that I want to focus on is this, "he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Jesus' humbled Himself, put aside His will, which in this point in time apparently differed from the will of the Father, and went to the cross to glorify His Father. To demonstrate for all mankind the Love and Mercy and Grace of God the Father. Jesus desired to glorify the Father more than He desired to have His own will fulfilled.

Jesus suffered the wrath of God, for the glory of God, not because He loved us so much.

After you let that sink in for a minute... continue reading.

How dare we think that we should get what we want! How dare we think that we are owed something by anybody. Jesus made one request to His Father, "Father, I know it's possible, take away this cup." In agony, He made one request, but determined that to be obedient to His Father was more important than His own comfort or desire. How dare we do something against God's will just because it makes our life easier or more comfortable, or just because we want it!

The next time you are taking for granted your salvation. Remember the garden. Jesus, the wise Son of God and Son of Man, prayed to His Father to let Him skip the sacrifice. The results of answering that prayer would have left us all to pay for our own sins with eternity in Hell... And Jesus was willing to let that happen. But, He was more willing to give to the Father that which He wanted.

He laid down His life. No man took it from Him. But that was not from His own desire, but rather from His Father's.

A sobering thought...

All The Way Better

I had the privilege of being home with my sick wife these past two days. Wednesday morning she woke up sick as could be (well, very sick, anyway). I went home from work and stayed with the kids while she stayed in bed... the ENTIRE day!

So, yesterday, I stayed home too to make sure she was alright. She was still fairly sick... However, yesterday she actually got out of bed. She even went upstairs once. The huge body aches, and fever, and the vomitting were all pretty much gone. She still had the headache, and was still sore a bit. She had the chills a little, but definitely not as bad as Wednesday.

Towards the evening we were talking, and she was standing in the kitchen... we were both commenting on how she was doing 'better.' She was actually happy that she was feeling that way. She was happy that she had: Headaches, soreness, some chills, and was weak.

Two thoughts today (two for the price of one, good deal!): First of all, we should be thankful for the health that we do have, even when we may not be feeling the best. Just remember it could be worse.

Secondly though, kind of taking the other route around this. This sickness is like sin. Sometimes we fall, and fall hard. Sometimes it is like we are laid up for an entire day, incapable of doing anything... that's how 'sick' our sin is. Then, we get a bit better. We take care of some things, and we all of a sudden feel that we are doing pretty good. But really, we still have the headaches, soreness, etc...

My point? We need to get better all the way before we are happy about it. Improvement is good, but let's never settle for just a little sick. Let's push forward for the prize of the high calling of God!

Just a thought or two...

Even a Child

Ok, so this is nothing more than a plug for my favorite missionary family friend that is still in Rochester yet to go on the field...

Pray For Italy

It is a cute post! And he has a lot of good posts on his blog.

Just a thought...

What Would the Governor Say?

(Malachi 1:8) And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

If you were employed by the governor of the state, would he be pleased with your service? If he were to watch you all day long, what would his estimation be at the end of the day? I am quite sure that if I knew the governor, my boss, was watching me every step of the day, I would be sure to demonstrate the most dedicated, diligent and dutiful service I could for him.

God says, that some are more apt to do things to please the governor than they are to please God. And really, what has the governor done for us? And what has God done for us? We should be much more attentive to be pleasing God at all times than we are to please him that can do little for us eternally.

Just a thought...

Foolish Me

I believe I may qualify for a fool....

(Proverbs 29:11) A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

I can't think of anything to write on today. I have uttered all my mind.

Just a lack of a thought...

Snow like wool

Well, I am looking outside my window at work today (Actually, it is the window that is in the conference room across the hall from me, when if my door and the conference room door are open I can see out it.), and I notice that it was snowing... A lot.

Then I read the weather report calling for about a foot of snow by Wednesday morning here.

Then I read Psalm 147:16: "He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?"

I recently saw the movie Santa Clause 3 (don't tell anyone, ok?), and Jack Frost was the villain in the movie. Part of the movie has Mother Nature and Father Time as characters along with of course, Santa Clause. Often, the world tries to give God's glory to other things, or even to their own made up things (we call them idols). All of the characteristics that the world wants to give to these others, God controls.

He controls the snow and the ice. The verse before those, in Ps. 147:15 says He sendeth forth his commandment supon earth: his word runneth very swiftly." What an awesome and powerful God.

I like the snow for now, but soon I will be praying for the fulfillment of His promise in the next verse, Ps. 147:18: "He sendeth out his word, and melteth them..." We're not there yet, though!

Just a thought.

Second Options

Since everybody knows about my vast knowledge of the 12 spies that searched out Canaan... I decided to write today on a thought that I have had about 2 of them.

Caleb and Joshua were the two spies that brought a good report of the land. The other 10, who for time's sake I will not name (but of course, I could ;)), brought an evil report. But the interesting things is their tribes. You see, Joshua came from Ephraim while Caleb came from Judah.

The children of Ephraim were the original rulers in Israel. When you read through the book of Judges, you will find that the tabernacle was set up in Shiloh... in Ephraim. The "Men of Ephraim" were the Old Testament version of the Pharisees in my opinion. And Joshua was the original ruler. That is why in Jeremiah 31:9 God says that Ephraim was His firstborn.

The problem is that Ephraim fell into sin. Shiloh was destroyed. The men of Ephraim lost their position and status. Judah, beginning with David, became the new predominant tribe. The temple was built in Judah.

You see, Ephraim was God's "intended" tribe. Even though in His foreknowledge He predicted the Star would come from Judah, but still Ephraim had the opportunity to be the chief tribe in all of Israel. (That goes back to Jacob placing his hands on Ephraim, Joseph's 2nd born, and not Manasseh, Joseph's 1st born. But Joseph was the ruler of Israel at that time, for sure!) Instead, Ephraim fell into sin, and God moved His emphasis from Ephraim to Judah.

We find the same principle in God moving His emphasis from Israel to the Gentiles. It was all part of His foreknowledge and part of His works, but Israel did not find that which he sought for, but the Gentiles did.

Anyway, the challenge is to stay right in God's eyes, so that He does not have to find a 2nd-String fill-in for you. He will accomplish that which He purposes, but will you be a part of it?

Just a thought.

Unbelievable

Wow... I didn't realize until this morning... It is horendous... I can't believe it!!

I did not blog yesterday.

What is this world coming to? Last week I did not work on Thursday or Friday, so I didn't post anything then. But yesterday, I had no reason. I was just caught up in work. I didn't even take a lunch, so I had no thoughts. But I just forgot. Forgive me.

Anyway, I was reading Jeff Adams' blog earlier, and I wanted to share that with everybody. It is on Thanksgiving. Too often we are not thankful for things. Yeah, that's just a problem in our lives that we have to get right... But I would say that often we are thankful for something, but we just don't know how to say it, or to show our thanks for what was done. Anyway, Jeff Adams addresses that and gives some ways to show thanksgiving towards God.

http://drjeffadams.com/?p=479

For the glory of God.

Just at thought...

God is Good

I love seeing God answer prayers. It is almost as though He truly was omnipotent, loving, gracious, benevolent, good and faithful. Oh, what peace we often forfeit, because we do not carry everything to Him in prayer.

It's really amazing that we don't spend more time in prayer. Too often, I suppose we get comfortable with the way our lives are, and just don't see the need. Things are good... why should I pray? That's a bad mentality. Things are only good, because God is good.

Anyway, we're 2 for 2 this week with short thoughts. Did I mention I was back to work after a 4 day weekend!?

Just a thought...

Back to work...

Well, after having four days off from work (and from this blog by the way), I am back at it.

Anyway, when thinking about work, I am reminded of I Corinthians 15:58 that says that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. That means that other labor in this world may be in vain, but that which is in the Lord, and for the Lord, that labor is never in vain.

Remember to work for Him!

(Look at that, nice and short!)

Just a thought...

Thank You for the Family

Sorry for the tardiness of this post... I had a busy day at work, and my wife reminded me right before I left that I had not had a thought yet today. (That doesn't sound good!)

Anyway, Thank You, Lord, for the Family. I don't only mean Thank You for MY famly, althought I have been tremendously blessed with a great family all the way around: Parents, siblings, spouse, children, in-laws... I truly have been blessed with a great family, and I do thank God for it.

But, I want to thank God for the family as an institution. God created a help for Adam, a help that was meet for him. That is what marriage is. Marriage is two people becoming one flesh - a new "man" so to speak. This marriage and family is a unit that is there to help each other, that is there to love on each other, that is there to bear each other's burdens. Without that, you would have to rely on society to provide all of those 'social' needs... Thank you, but not in this society -

Anyway, I am thankful for MY family, but I am thankful for THE family... And to think that God has made me a part of His family... Hallelujah!

Just a thought...

Thank You for the Word of God

To get to Heaven, you have to go to the river Jordan and dip seven times. After that, go dash your foot against a stone while jumping off the pinnacle of the temple. When that is through, go eat stones in the wilderness for forty days. If you hear voices after all that, then you should be OK. If not, you need to go into your mother's womb a second time. You get there by paying money to the church and lighting some candles before putting on the white robes for 40 days after Christmas...

You know what? On the other hand, I am thankful for the word of God, the Bible. I am thankful that God did not ask us to rely on man's oral traditions. Without His written word, I suspect that things like what I wrote above could be taken as truth. But God has not left us without His witness.

God gave us His creation to show that He is eternally powerful. Only an Eternal God could have made this world. And only a Powerful God could have made it as He did. But, creation isn't enough. He also gave us His law, that law which is perfect, able to convert the soul.

Before the Bible was completed, He called His apostles and prophets to speak the word audibly to men. To confirm that what they were saying was truly His word, He confirmed their speach with signs and miracles. I imagine it would have been easy to believe what Paul was saying right after he raised somebody from the dead. I'm sure when Peter walked by and some sick folk were healed, it would not have been too difficult to hear and listen to what he was going to say. God confirmed His word by miracles before it was fully written down and completed.

One of the passages in the Bible that has intrigued me for a long time is II Peter 1:16-21. Peter talks about how he heard the word of God audibly from Heaven. God spoke His word to him out loud. And Peter tells us that in the written word of God, we have something that is more sure! It is more sure than the audible voice of God.

Seeing a miracle would be pretty neat, but I have the completed written word of God. It will never change, I can always go back to it and depend on it. It is able to make me wise unto salvation. It will keep me from sin (or sin will keep me from it!). It can cleanse my way. It will establish me as a tree planted by the rivers of water. It will teach me. It will reprove me. It will correct me. It will instruct me. If I meditate on it, observe it, so that I can do it, then I will find that I can make my way prosperous and have good success. It comforts me in my affliction. It is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. It will keep me from being offended. It will equip me and bring me to perfection.

Oh, how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

I am thankful for God's word.

Thank You for the Cross

Happy Thanksgiving week, everyone!

The first time I ever heard the song, Worthy Is the Lamb, tears welled up in my eyes. Imagining myself, when I see my King, and am able to look Him in the eyes, and say, "Thank You for the Cross, Lord."

Thank You!!! Thank You!!! Thank You!!!

"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift." (II Corinthians 9:15)

Without God, I am without hope. I thank God that I don't have to hold my own salvation. I thank God that Jesus' payment was sufficient for ALL of my sins of all time. I thank God that He does not reward me according to my iniquities. I thank God that He loved me when I was His sinful enemy, dead in my trespasses and sins. I thank God that He is preparing a place for me.

Thank You!!! Thank You!!! Thank You!!!

(Revelation 11:17) Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

I thank God that He is going to gather all things unto Himself. That He is going to put all things under the feet of Jesus to rule, to reign, and to make all things right!

Paul Washer on Marriage

Ok, I had planned on doing another Veterans post, but nothing was really jumping out at me.

Instead, I was listening to a message from Paul Washer this morning regarding marriage, and I thought it was excellent and wanted to share. I think he does a great job of showing that marriage isn't: what can I get out of this, but rather: Here, I have a chance to show love - I can give of myself and be Christ-like. You can click below to download the .mp3 file and listen to it yourself. It is about 41 minutes, I believe.

Please, ignore his mistake of using the wrong translation...

Paul Washer - Destroying Pop Views of Marriage

Just "his" thoughts...

No More Veterans

No, my title is not a suggestion to disband the military!

A veteran is someone that used to fight in the military. It is someone that used to stand fast in his post. it is someone that used to be at a place where they would give up their lives for their country.

In the Spiritual battle, we have WAY TOO MANY veterans! We have way too many people that used to fight in the battle against Satan and his wiles. We have way too many people that used to stand fast in his post defending against the attacks, protecting their families, protecting their churches. We have way too many people that used to be at a place where they would give up their lives for their place of citizenship: the heavenly kingdom.

We need to have no more veterans! At least not in the spiritual war.

Ecclesiastes 8:8 says, "...there is no discharge in that war..." If there is no discharge in the spiritual war, if God doesn't come down and say to the person, 'You've done your fighting, you can go home now and relax,' then the only other option I can think of is that the person that used to be fighting is now AWOL. He is absent, without leave. God didn't discharge him from the battle, but he's home now, doing what he wants - without God's permission.

Pastor Grace last night preached on old people... Sorry, but he did. He preached on staying in the battle. Joshua was old and stricken in years, and the Lord said unto Him, thou art old and stricken in years (Joshua 13:1)! But He goes on to say to him, and there are yet many battles to fight.

Regardless of your age, stay in the fight. Let's not have any more "veterans" in this war - or should I say - let's not have any more "deserters!?"

Just a thought...

Huckabee

Ok, this post is specifically for two of my favorite bloggers (I mean, they are 2 out of the top like 10).

Alex Sluk has posted that we ought to support Mike Huckabee for President in 2008.

Shannon Young on the other hand has sent me jokes via email in the past (I thought he had posted them, but I don't seem to be able to find them) about Chuck Norris. Things like:

• 60 or not Chuck Norris is a killing machine....he doesn't do push ups, he pushes the world down!
• Chuck Norris is the only man to ever defeat a brick wall in a gameof tennis.
• Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding
• Chuck Norris’ tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried

But, anyway, Chuck Norris is a veteran of the United States Air Force (keeping this post viable for Veteran's week). And now, to tie Shannon & Alex's interests together:

Chuck Norris is now campaigning for Mike Huckabee... I would say that according to Shannon, it must be that he will win, right!?

Just a thought

Gary Beikirch - For His Honor

Keeping in the theme of Veterans Day for the week, I made a statement in yesterday's post that I "thought" my father-in-law may have had some military action as well... Ends up that I was right, and that, in fact, he did serve in Vietnam :)

Ok, if any of you don't know, I married the daughter of Gary Beikirch, a recipient of the Medal of Honor - the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force. This medal is usually presented by the President of the United States himself. Anyway, a while back Gary wrote a personal testimony of parts of his life. I decided that I would post it here today... and even though it's long, (just trying to keep up with Aaron Putney), I suspect it will get more readers than most of my regular, shorter posts!

For His Honor
By
Gary Beikirch

April 1, 1970… over thirty years ago but I can still hear the screams, the explosions, the gunfire. I can still see the faces. April Fools Day… if only it all could have been a joke… but it was not. It was painfully real.

I was a member of a Green Beret Special Forces “A” team in Vietnam. Almost a year had passed since my arrival in Vietnam, and I believed it was the most meaningful year I had ever spent. During the past 22 years I had grown into a pretty independent, self-sufficient, “always looking for a challenge,” kind of guy. Loving in the jungles of Vietnam gave me plenty of challenges, and now on this day I would face the greatest challenge of my life.

Our peaceful, Montagnard jungle camp was surrounded by 3 North Vietnamese regiments. Inside the camp of Dak Seang were 12 Americans and 2300 Montagnard villagers (mostly women and children). It is their screams and the images of their lifeless bodies I cannot get rid of.

Artillery and rockets began pounding the camp in the early morning and continued for hours. Then the “human wave” assault of ground troops began. Our jungle home had become a scene of horror, terror and death.

Running across an open area I saw a wounded Montagnard (we affectionately called them “Yards”) lying on the ground. As I was trying to bandage his wounds I heard “IT” coming… like a diesel train… more artillery… maybe a 122 mm rocket.

As I threw my body over the wounded man to shield him from the explosions I felt like I had been kicked in the back by a horse. Shrapnel from the blasts had slammed into my back and abdomen. The concussion from the blast had thrown me about 25 feet into a wall of sandbags by our mortar pit. I tried to get up but could not move my legs. I remember thinking, “Well, at least I’m alive…” and, “Hey!!! There’s a Purple Heart.” I looked back to see what had happened to the “Yard” I was helping and all I saw were pieces… the explosion had torn him apart. How? Why? I was lying on top of him. Why am I still alive? These questions would later plague me for years, but right then there was too much to do.

Two other “Yards” came by and picked me up. They wanted to take me to the medical bunker but I yelled, “NO!! We’ve got things to do up here.” For hours they carried me as we treated the wounded, dragged bodies, distributed ammo, directed fire, and fought for our lives. As I continued to lose blood I was getting weaker. Also by this time I was wounded two more times. Finally I lost consciousness.

When I awoke I realized they had taken me to the underground medical bunker. Dan, a new medic who had been in camp less than a week said, “Man, you’re hurt bad. We got to get you out of here.” I thought to myself, “Leave the people and ‘home’ I had grown to love? No way!!!” I screamed to my “Yards”… “Get me out of here. If I am going to die, I am not going to die down here.”

A year of living with these “Yards” had developed a strong bond of love and trust between us. It was this bond that made them pick me up and carry me back out into the battle.

As the battle raged on my two “Yard” friends carried me for hours, taking me where I directed them, helping me care for the wounded, shielding me, protecting me, holding me up as we continued to fight.

Later, I would again be plagued by questions of: “Why did they carry me all that time?” “Why did they stay with me?” They never left my side. “What made their love for me so strong that they were willing to risk their lives for me?”

A loud explosion brought me back to the battle as we were thrown to the ground. We heard another rocket coming in and my two friends covered me with their bodies. The explosion shook the earth, engulfed us in a cloud of smoke, and sent shrapnel and other debris raining down on us. “Let’s go!” I yelled, but only one “Yard” moved. I rolled the still, lifeless body of my friend off of me and began to check for wounds. His back had been ripped open from the shards of exploding metal. “Bac Si…” the other “Yard” said, “He’s dead.” In a battle there is little time for grief. It becomes anger and hate, and you use it for strength. From somewhere another “Yard” came, picked me up, and we continued to fight.

From this point on my memories are a swirling stream of sporadic events… unending, deafening explosions, firing an M-60 machine-gun into clouds of smoke and shadows, looking at bodies crumpled in the barbed wire perimeter, lying in a ditch watching a helicopter exploding… another one trying to come in for a med evac… strong arms reaching down and pulling me into the “warm belly” of a chopper, the face of a young medic shocked at seeing me still alive, but telling me I was going to be OK… being thrown onto a cold table… being rushed into an operating room… IV’s in my arms and neck… being turned in every direction for x-rays… catheters into every opening in my body, lights, shouting, and then… darkness.

I awoke not knowing how long I had been out. I did a quick self exam… unable to move from my waist down (I would learn later that it was only a temporary shock to my spine from the shrapnel). What is that on my stomach? My large intestine… with a plastic bag (shrapnel had burst through my large intestine and an ileostomy had been done). More tubes were in my body… one through my nose and into my stomach… my stomach! Why did it hurt so? I looked and it had been ripped open and sutured back together. Then darkness… I was once again unconscious.

These periods of being “in and out” continued… each time bringing a new awareness of life and death. Once, I came to and watched as an Australian advisor fought for his last breath and lost. As they draped the sheet over his head I began drifting into unconsciousness and wondered if this was MY death. Is this what death is like?

I awoke once more but this time my waking moments were spent battling with the deaths of so many of my frinds: the “Yard” I covered with my body, the one who carried me for hours… Why am I still alive and they are not? God, I feel so guilty, so helpless, so angry.

Days passed as I continued to come and go. Then one day I awoke and there was a chaplain standing by the next bed praying with a dying young soldier. He turned and saw my open eyes. “Glad to see you’re awake. I’ve been praying for you for a couple of days. Would you like to pray?” My answer to his question was a pleading, “I don’t know how.”

He gave me a cross and simply replied, “Doesn’t matter. God knows how to listen.” My prayer was a simple one: “God I don’t know if you’re real. I don’t know if you’re here, but I’m scared and I need you.”

Right then something happened… no flashes of light, no miraculous physical healings, no visions on the wall or by my bed, but a peace, a comfort, a “knowing” that there was Someone outside of my self that was very real, and very aware of my hurt… and my need… Someone who heard my prayer and wanted me to know that I was loved as I had never been loved before.

The next two years were spent searching to find out more about this Presence, this God that had touched my life. I traveled around the United States, through Canada, studied different philosophies, religions, searching for ways that might lead me once again to that Peace.

My search led me to a small town on the ocean just south of Boston. I was visiting a friend and told him about Vietnam, the lessons it had taught me, the questions it had left with me, and my efforts to find God. He listened and then told me that there is no mystery to finding God. Handing me a package he asked me to do him a favor and read a book. It was a New Testament.

As I read through this book the words became Life to me: “Peace I leave with you… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jn 14:27. “These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you…” Jn 15:11. “Come unto me all ye that labor… and I will give you rest…” Mt 11:28.

“I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come will separate us from the love of God…” Rom. 8:38-39. I knew that I had found the God who I had met in the hospital bed in Vietnam. He had seen my pain… my fear… and had given me His Peace and Comfort. As I read more of His words I learned that He wanted to become a greater part of my life. He didn’t want me to just know ABOUT Him… He wanted me to KNOW Him… to WALK with Him… to LOVE Him. He had called me his “Friend.” Jn 15:15.

After my discharge from the Army I had planned on going to medical school. However, my last year in the Army was a difficult one and my first few months as a college student were even worse. Even with my new “Friend” memories became nightmares and I believed no one, except God, could understand what I was going through. Discouraged with college and my ability to relate with others who did not understand me, I left college, packed up my bags, and headed for the beaches of Florida. There, with a Bible and backpack I stayed for a couple of months praying and asking God what He wanted me to do. I felt like His answer to me was to go into the ministry.

I couldn’t believe it! “God I can’t even talk to people. If they knew some of the things that happened in Vietnam they would hate me! I know You have forgiven me, God, but I know no one else ever could.” In spite of my arguments, my doubts, my fears His answer was still very clear… “I want you to serve Me.”

So, in September of 1973 I entered a small seminary in northern New Hampshire dedicating my life to serving the God who had given me life.

Days were spent studying but because I was still having a problem feeling comfortable around others, after classes I would escape to where I felt safe… the peace and solitude of the White Mountains. Eventually a cave on the side of Mt. Adams became “home” for the next two years.

One night a couple of weeks after I started seminary I received a phone call from Washington, DC asking me to come to Washington and be presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Nixon. Coincidence?? I do not believe in coincidences any more… not when you are walking with God. However, among many other emotions I was also very confused. I knew I was not worthy of such an honor. God knew I wasn’t worthy. But as I looked to Him for the reason for this award, I saw that it was not for me but it was FOR HIS HONOR. Because of this medal, “doors” would be open to allow me to share what God had taught me in the jungles of Vietnam.

In Vietnam we had a saying that became a reality to me while lying in that hospital bed:

“To really live you must almost die. To those who fight for it, life has a meaning the protected will never know.”

I almost died, but instead learned a valuable lesson about life and about God.

You do not have to be in a war to fight for your life. Each of us fights life’s battles each day, but you do not need to face these battles alone.

God knows and sees all that we face… and this is the message He shares with each and every one of us:

No matter who you are…
...battles await you.
No matter where you are…
...in a battle or a Hospital bed...
...He is there also.
No matter what you have done…
...the guilt, The pain, the hate that you feel
...can be replaced by His peace and love.

God does love you and like a father longing for his lost child, He is waiting to hear your voice. He knows how to listen. Trust me, He heard mine. I believe, now, that God does have a plan and purpose for our lives, and although there is no mystery to finding Him… at times it is a mystery to walk with Him.

It wasn’t easy for me at first.

Even now there are times when I fail to trust Him completely, but then I remember my two “Yard” friends who… love me, protected me, and carried me when I couldn’t walk.

If I could trust them with my life shouldn’t I be able to trust Jesus?

So each day I trust and walk humbly with Him… and I wear the Medal for Him…

For His Honor

And my two “Yard” friends.

Man that is in honour and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish”
Psalm 49:20

Happy Veteran's Day

Some of you may have today off as a holiday, celebrating Veterans Day from yesterday. Originally it was called Armistice Day because it was celebrated on 11/11, the day that the major hostilities of World War I were ended... interestingly enough it was at the 11th hour in the morning that day. But in 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower made the following proclamation:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America , do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 , as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.

I was thinking about Veterans Day and my family. I know of 2 of my 4 great-grandfathers that actually fought in World War I. My great grandpa Edwin Deming - I remember him some from when I was growing up, but my grandma tells me lots of stories about him - she loved him. And also, my great grandpa Cyrus Welton. I'm not sure about my other two great grandpas.

When we get to my Grandfathers, both of them served in World War II. I know my grandpa Thomas Eugene Taney was stationed in England, and not sure where my grandpa, George Hinds served, but I know he was in the army.

Then there's my uncles. Both my mom and dad come from a family with one girl. All 6 of my uncles and my dad served in the Armed Forces. Most of them fought in Vietnam. My dad's ship (he was a Navy man) was deployed to Vietnam, but it got turned around at the southern tip of Africa, and my uncle Randy was too young at the time for Vietnam - but he's still in the Army today, so he made up for it!

And, my father-in-law, I think I heard that he was in the military too... ?
;)

Maybe this is just my family, and it's not like this with everyone, but I find it interesting that pretty much ALL of my relatives and ancestors fought in the military for this country. Yet, in my generation, I only have one cousin that I know of (out of 18) that was in the R.O.T.C. at least.

Ok, spiritual application... I could try to say how we are in a spiritual war, and it seems that our generation has stopped fighting. I do see some truth in that, but I don't want to talk about that today. I could ask what the Christian's view on war ought to be, but that sounds too controversial for today... I could write lots of things...

Instead, Thank You, to all of you veterans and active military personnel. And to everyone else (since I know of no verterans that read my blog!), let's pray for them. Seriously.

Just a thought.

Don't Tell Anyone...

I was talking with a missionary friend of mine. We were talking about the stories in the book of Mark that we are going through in Homiletics Class. A theme that has come up a couple of times is this: Jesus heals someone and tells them not to say anything, yet they always seem to not be able to contain themselves.

It's interesting that these people just were not comfortable if they were not sharing the fact that their life had been touched by Jesus. They were only satisfied when they shared what Jesus did for them.

And then there's us. We have been touched far more than just being healed of a fatal disease, or of having our legs given strength to walk. Jesus touched us in such a way that our eternity has changed: The hope of eternal life, with an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, passing from death to life, being quickened, made alive... Yet we need to be begged to share that with others.

Jesus healed us in a far greater way than physical healing. He then tells us to go out and tell others. And our response will be... to be determined.

Just a thought

Filled with all His Fulness

Ephesians 3:19 is one of my memory verses today, and it says, "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." The context is that Paul gets on his knees before God for a few purposes, some of them: to know the love of Christ, and that they would be "filled with all the fulness of God."

There are a couple of phrases in the Bible that kind of make me cringe a little. That is, I read them, I believe them to be true, but the implications are mind-boggling. A couple of examples:

• 1 Thessalonians 2:12: Paul exhorted them: "That ye would walk worthy of God..."
• 1 Peter 1:4: Christians can be: "Partakers of the divine nature."

Not to get into those ones today, but I think Ephesians 3:19 might be up there.

To be filled - If you're full of something, you don't have room for anything else. With all the fulness of God - All that He is, His fulness, is what we are to be filled with. What God is made of: Righteousness, Holiness, Love, Mercy, Longsuffering, Patience, Justice, Compassion... All of those things we are to be filled with.

But also, we are a habitation of God. God inhabits His children, through His Spirit (Eph. 2:22). We are to be filled with all of Him. Filled with His Spirit, walking in It/Him... Without any room for anything else.

To be filled with all the fulness of God. I thought about another thought that I was thinking about, but was just too overwhelmed with this verse that I had to change it.

Just a thought...

The Road to Greatness...

I often hear messages on the road to greatness being the road of humility. As Matthew 20:26-27 says, "...whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:" The preaching usually goes something like this: You have to be willing to clean the toilets if you want to be the leader, the pastor for example. You don't just come in and say, I'll run the show - instead you do whatever is needed of you. That is how you achieve greatness - God will exalt you...

Then last night, I heard a message from Mark 9, and as I was reading the passage it says this, "...If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all..." But wait a minute... I thought that if I were to humble myself, then I would be exalted and be first. I just had to start out low. But what this verse in Mark is saying is: if you desire to be first, you will be last.

The message I think is being portrayed is this. Humble acts do not make you humble. They may have a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility (Col. 2:23), but I believe they actually demonostrate that it is not real humility. Humility is not just being willing to do the dirty work to "climb the corporate ladder" (though that principle is a good one to follow for secular matters), but rather real humility is content at always being last.

God chooses to use those that are humble for His purposes. He does promise to exalt "in due time," not necessarily when you want or expect, but when He ordains. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. True humility does not say, I will humble myself so that I may end up being first, but rather humility says, I will humble myself so that somebody else may be first.

Just a thought...

Obedience of Faith

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
(Romans 16:25-26)

[deep voice] Faith... the final frontier...

Oh wait, that's something else. Never mind.

Paul says in Romans 16, that the gospel went out to all nations by the commandment of the everlasting God, predicted and foreordained by God according to His holy prophets, made known in these last days, (See, I can make really long sentences like Paul too!)... But all of this was for the purpose of: Obedience of Faith. I think that's a little bit of an obscure term.

We think of Obedience as an action, or a work. When we do what someone tells us to do, we're being obedient to that person. Faith, on the other hand, is not an action, not a work. So, what's the concept being portrayed here?

Well, I think of two things. Probably the most exact and true to the purpose of the text is this: We are supposed to be obedient to God by exercising faith. God's commandment, according to I John 3:23, "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ..." God's command is to believe, and when we are obedient to that command, it is called the obedience of faith.

I also think there's another implication or meaning in the phrase, obedience of faith. I believe it is suggesting that not only is faith the result of obedience, but that faith will be the driving force of obedience. That is, faith, from the heart, will motivate us to obey God. Mental faith will just have us answer all the questions right, and know what to say in whatever situation we find ourselves, but when you believe from the heart, then your life will demonstrate that faith through obedience.

At least that's the way I understand it. You know, it's Just a Thought...

Unwinding...

I'm humbled at some of the things that God has been using me for in my life. Friday night I had the privilege of teaching a few combined Home Bible Studies on the topic of Calvinism. And then Sunday I had the privilege of addressing the Sunday morning services, as a deacon, regarding the new building and its finances, etc.

Anyway, today I am unwinding a little bit from being in front of everyone, and I can just hide at work... I praise God for His grace. I am what I am by the grace of God.

For those of you that missed it Friday night, I have put the audio recording of the night, and a PowerPoint 2007 file containing the slides I used, up on the ObserveToDo.com website at:

http://www.observetodo.com/content/sermonsessays/AndyHinds/AndyHinds-Calvinism.asp

Any and all feedback/questions/disagreements is welcome on this post today... Except for Barone, you can't point out all of my "uh's" in the lesson. Ok?!

News Story

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/31/funeral.protest/

Not much to say today... I'm actually not sure how to respond Christian-ly to this one. You know the "Baptist" church that goes out and protests military funerals, saying that God is judging America by killing its soldiers because of the homosexuals? Well, that church lost a court case in Maryland, and is now required to pay some 10 million dollars. That's what the CNN News Story is above.

Maybe the judgment of God is not killing American soldiers, but having the government (His executor of judgment) heavy fines against them. Homosexuality, Sodomy, whatever you want to call it, is a sin, but at the same time, so is lying... being uncharitable... pride... fornication... All of those things have been accepted in America today too. There are right and wrong ways to go about it.

Anyway, just a thought...

Happy All Saint's Day

Forgive me... I let you all down again... Yesterday was Halloween, and I failed to make one single post on the subject. My apologies... Maybe I can try to make it up.

Yesterday was Halloween and all, and we, in our little town of Greece, had a public school student that dressed up like an ancient Egyptian "queen." The only problem was that the school specifically said no costumes at school on Halloween. This girl protested saying that they were prohibiting the free excercise of her religion.

You see, this girl's mom is a practicing witch. Together, they practice 'wicca.' Halloween is their holy day (holiday), and her belief is that she is to portray herself as somebody that she was in one of her former lives. She refused to change her clothes as instructed by the school, and the girl and her mother brought in their local high priestess of witches (I'm sure I'm wrong on the official title, but you get the point), to protest with the school administration.

Here's the deal, I'm happy about this. Just like I'm happy about the new pope... (Here's where you're saying, "Huh?")

Halloween is a witch's holiday. Let's not be confused about that. Perhaps the origin of the name, and of the holiday comes from something else, but today, there is no more Christian practice associated with Halloween. It is a wizard's and witch's holy day.

What does this have to do with the pope? Well, this pope is really Roman Catholic. He is making clear that there is no salvation outside of the Roman Catholic Church, etc. He is making it clear, that there are differences. Now, we don't have to be confused about the Roman Catholic Church and say, "Oh, it's not as bad as we were taught, just ask people." Most 'people' would not have held to the strict Roman Catholic teachings, and their old pope didn't say too much about it. This pope, he speaks up. Let there be no confusion.

Halloween is a witch's holiday. Let there be no confusion.

What communion hath light with darkness?

Just a thought.

Honey, not just Water

Testerday's post was fairly long, so I decided today to make a short post (see picture).

Psalm 81 refers to God tesing the people of Israel at Meribah, in the wilderness. We find there, or at least in the vicinity, that God had Moses draw water from the Rock. God provided their needs miraculously... awesome. But Psalm 81 ends with this phrase, "...and with honey out of the rock should I have satisified thee." But He didn't because His people, the Israelites didn't hearken to his voice, "and Israel would none of me."

He was ready to pour out blessing much better than just the necessary water, He wanted to give even more... yet they would not.

Lord, may I open my mouth wide, that Thou wouldest fill it!

Just a thought...

In Jesus Name I... Do Everything!

(Colossians 3:17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

This verse was in my Bible reading this week. I have read in many times before, and would probably have been able to quote it to you before I read it this morning. But it jumped out at me because it contained that phrase, "in the name of the Lord Jesus." I still haven't quite figured out why, but people keep searching on Google for the phrase - "In Jesus name we pray" or other close searches like "what is it to pray in Jesus name," and other very similar phrases. I actually looked and for the past 10 weeks, I have had at least one search come to my blog that was looking for that phrase, with as many as up to 4 a week! To me, that's amazing. Original Post here.

So, as I was reading this week, and I came across this verse, I realized that it says, "And whatosever ye do in word or deed..." We are not only supposed to pray in Jesus' name, but we are supposed to DO everything in Jesus name. Well, at least whatever I do in word or deed. That is, whatever I say or do, ought to be said in Jesus' name or done in Jesus' name.

We go back and ask the question: What is it to "do" something in the name of Jesus? Well, in my previous post about praying in Jesus name, I said how it means we do it with the authority of Jesus. As in, "Stop, in the name of the law" - we are claiming the authority of the law when we tell that person to stop. We do things with the authority of, and in the place of, somebody else, when we do something in their name.

To "DO" everything in the name of Jesus means that we only do what Jesus Approves of. When we sin, we cannot claim to be doing that in the name of Jesus. That would pretty much be blaspheming His name, I think... We are supposed to DO only those things which Jesus would approve of us doing, those things which we can honestly assume that Jesus would do - I mean, we are the body of Christ, we are supposed to manifest His life in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:10).

Here's one to ponder. In Jesus name, means in His stead. As if Jesus were doing it. I should be able to say, I am doing in Jesus' stead. I am writing this post right now, in Jesus' stead - I am doing it for Him. I am at work today in the place of Jesus, so that I can provide substance for my family. I go to church in Jesus' stead - He did it when He was alive on the earth. I guess it goes along with the concept of WWJD - What Would Jesus Do? That is truly what we are supposed to do.

So, for every action today can you say, "I Do This in Jesus' Name?" Think about that the next time you sit down to watch something on TV - the next time you are considering saying something about somebody else - the next time you are talking with your spouse...

Just a thought...

IMPORTANT!!!!

Happy Birthday to You... Happy Birthday to You... Happy Birthday Dear, Sarah... Happy Birthday to You!!!

I just wanted everybody in the world to know that today is my beautiful wife's birthday. She turned 28 years old today. Isn't she beautiful? You can call her and wish her a Happy Birthday!

Here she is down in Guatemala when we went a couple years ago...


She's a great Mom... She loves her kids.


I'm sure she won't mind me sharing her High School pictures with everyone...

Like I said, isn't she just gorgeous!!!


Jen, these next two are for you...

I'm really not sure why she had a problem... It's just a volcano.


She likes her food too!

Another old picture that she is happy that I have on my computer...

And here she is last Christmas... She just loves having her picture taken!

Anyway, I just wanted everyone to know that I love my wife...

I love you, Sarah!!!

Too Much Free Time

Watch this...



If only John Bois had Speed Stack, he would not have been reading through the Hebrew Bible at age 5!!

Leave It Alone!

I watched a recorded television show the other day. Someone suggested that I check out this show called, "House." It is about a doctor who is a diagnostician that figures out strange diseases in a person. It was a very intriguing show - different from others that I had seen before. In the episode that I watched, the 'hero' of the show, Dr. House, was portrayed as a Scripturally knowledgeable atheist. He quoted Scripture to a Mormon to persuade the Mormon to do something that the Mormon had not wanted to do. But, House himself ("oikia autn" - for you Greek people :)) did not believe in God and even made statements that it was foolish to believe in God. I saw that part of it, and was willing to allow it since it was portrayed as a debate, that is, one of the people on the show believed in a God, and the other one did not... so be it. I mean, c'mon, this is still lost Hollywood.

Then, the show progressed. There was a man that had a near death experience and then tried to do it again because of the "rush" that this man experienced during this time of his almost death. Dr. House witnessed this second attempt and was truly perplexed about it. Anyway, he actually went ahead and did something that he knew would stop his heart, and make him "dead" or almost dead, yet in a place that he knew they would be able to revive him.

The story continues that the other patient he had been working on diagnosing had a faith in God, and was looking forward to getting out of his broken down body. Earlier, House said things to try to make this man believe that his faith was imbecilic. The man died in the show, and at the end of the show, House comes up to the dead body and said, "I told you so." He was saying, Hey, I was dead for a while, and there was nothing. I told you there was nothing after death. Then the show ended.

Now, like I said before, if there was a man on the show that did not believe in God... that's one thing. But in this case, the SHOW ITSELF was saying that there is no God. The SHOW ITSELF is saying that belieivng in God or in the after-life is stupid and ignorant. It was not just a man on the show that said it, but the moral of the show, the moral of the story was that God is not real, and faith is absurd. And it just came out and said that. The show's plot was intriguing to me. I was interested in the storyline of the disease and how they tried to solve the problem, etc. But...

GOD FORBID that any Christian find entertainment in that show. Who, knowing the judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same BUT HAVE PLEASURE IN THEM THAT DO THEM.
GOD FORBID that we amuse ourselves with a program that has obviously been set forth to show that the God Who spoke this world into existence, does not really exist, and that He is a figment of people's imaginations.
GOD FORBID that we laugh at a joke made from a man that has a desire to try to persuade people that there is no God.

There is no reason for anyone that names the name of Christ to watch that show for entertainmnet. I heard a quote just yesterday from the Revival Conference streaming online (by the way, Keith Daniel is preaching tonight somewhere between 6:00-8:00 or so, haven't seen a good schedule) at www.Christian.tv. The quote went like this:

"I refuse to entertain myself with those things that killed my Savior"

That quote can and should be implemented in every area of our lives, and not only in the area of deciding what we will have before our eyes. I refuse to entertain myself with those things that killed my Savior. So, I titled this post "Leave It Alone!" First, to the entertainment industry: Leave my God alone. Don't mess with Him - for your own good. Second, to you, my faithful readers: Leave the show alone, and leave the sin alone. Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.

Just a thought.

Take That!

(Proverbs 24:17) Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: (Proverbs 24:18) Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

I read that section of Proverbs this morning. Now, first of all, I don't think that just anybody is our enemy. I think most of the people that we "don't like," we probably wouldn't rejoice if something bad happened to them. I mean, we are supposed to love our enemies, so those kinds of feelings really ought not to exist.

But, let's talk about someone that is our enemy. And it must be that they are enemies because they are demonic and are fighting against the cause of Christ; we are supposed to love them still, but they would qualify as an enemy, I guess. Well, this verse says that when something bad happens to them, we ought not to rejoice. Because if we rejoice in their calamity, God may stay the judgment that He previously had determined to give to them, the wrath that He had for them.

So, if you really want to "get someone" good, don't be happy when bad things happen to them... Though, if the bad things happening is God's wrath on them, then is it OK? Because His wrath was already poured out on them, then it won't matter if we rejoide... or does He have more for them? And if we're kind to our enemies, God will pour coals of fire on their heads, and that should make us happy, although if we're happy about it, then God will turn His wrath from them...

Oh, I don't know... How about we really love our enemies. We do good to them. We pray for them. We have a genuine desire to see the relationship with them fixed - whatever that may take. If they're lost, we truly desire to see them saved. Then, when we have a genuine care for our enemy, we won't rejoice in their falling, we won't be glad when something bad happens to them. Even when it's God's wrath, we'll be sorry for them and have more care and compassion for them.

I mean, really, I used to be the enemy of God. I fell, I stumbled, and God knew it. But even before I did those things... when I was yet without strength in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man would one die, yea, peradventure for a good man SOME would even DARE to die... But God commendeth His love torwards us in that WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, Christ died for us!

I guess the thought today really comes down to: Love your enemies.

Just a thought.

Spend and Be Spent

II Corinthians 12, 14, 15: "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds... I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you... And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;"

The Apostle Paul again dealing with the church of Corinth writes to them and informs them that, even though he is an apostle of Jesus Christ, complete with all the exciting apostolic signs and wonders, that he was still willing to give up of himself, for their benefit - not only willing, but very glad to do it.

He was willing to spend: He told them that when he came, he was not going to take their money for his daily necessities. That is one of the reasons that he kept on making tents. He wanted to prove to them that he was in this for them, and not for himself. He was willing to spend for them.

He was willing to be spent: When you spend something, it's gone. Something spent is something used up. Paul was a man. He had only so much of himself. He was willing to have his energy, his abilities, his efforts spent, and he was willing to be spent for their sakes. He couldn't get back what parts of him were spent; they were gone. But he was willing, even though, as vs. 15 tells us the more he loved them and was spent for them, the less he was loved. But it didn't persuade him.

I want to have a minister's heart like the Apostle Paul: willing to very gladly spend and be spent.
Just a thought...

Don't Let Him Down

2 Corinthians 9:1-4: "For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: [2] For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. [3] Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: [4] Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting."

The Apostle Paul had ministered to the Corinthians, and he had experienced their zeal in ministering to the saints. He experienced this, and then turned around and boasted on their efforts to other people. The church of Corinth now had this reputation that they were a people known for they ministering. Paul even said that it was 'superfluous' (meaning: More than necessary) for him to write to the church to tell them to be ready to minister... ye he did it anyway.

He used the motivation of this, Hey, Church, please be ready to minister... I've been telling all of my friends that you guys are great like this, and when I bring them down, please, for my sake, don't let me down...

My thoughts went to our church, First BIBLE Baptist Church. I remember how Pastor Grace was told by a pastor in another church in the area that he recognized FBBC people as being people of the Book. And what a compliment that was to be known as such. But, Hey, Church, please be a people of the Book... Pastor Grace has been telling all his friends that this church (you & I) are a people of the Book, and when they come around, please, for his sake, don't let him down...

We ought to love God's Word just because, but let's live up to the reputation that our church has developed over the years, and let's be a people of the Book.

Just a thought...

Hurry up!

I have written on my blog that I think we often are too busy with things in our lives - good things: ministry related, church activities, etc. that we often overlook God and end up working in the flesh. I by no means am retracting those ideas in this post.

However, at the same time, the Bible says that we are to "run" our Christian race, not just walk it. I could go to Isaiah 40:31 where they that wait upon the Lord (that supports my previous posts and opening paragraph here) shall renew their strength, and they shall run and not be weary. 1 Corinthians 9:24 talks about running a race. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us how to run our race.

We ought to not just sit back and take it easy in our Christian lives. We shouldn't say, "Oh, I will grow in this area next year. I just want to take it one at a time..." We need to run the race - without losing focus of the waiting on the Lord part. Hebrews 12:1 says we need to run it with patience. That doesn't mean run it slowly and pacing yourself, but rather like Jesus did, we need to run through all the obstacles that come up in our race. For Jesus, that meant things like, the Cross.

The reason this thought came to me today was because last night, while Sarah was driving home from having coffee with some friends, she got pulled over by a policeman. No... she wasn't speeding. She actually got pulled over for going 7 miles under the speed limit: 33 mph in a 40 mph zone!

Just a thought...