Forward a Week Ago

2 Corinthians 8:10
(10) And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

I began this year, 2008, by reminding us all to be forward a year ago as it says in 2 Corinthians 8:10. Then, I was reading some of Jonathan Edwards' resolutions, and number 30 says:

"To strive, every week, to be brought higher in Religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, then I was the week before."

Now, I have to admit that Paul's admonition is more important to follow than Jonathan Edwards', but wow, what if we were, every week, to examine ourselves to see if we have improved and risen in our faith.

Just a thought...

Number 200

Yesterday's post was my 200th post that I have published on my blog. I have found that, in writing, I am forced to formulate my thoughts and express them. Now, I agree with what you all are saying, sometimes I don't do a very good job of formulating and expressing my thoughts! but at least I am working on it.

200 Posts. The most common 'label' that I have given my posts is "KJV" with 13 posts. It has been a while since I've touched that subject, so I will have to revisit it again soon. "Influential Persons" had 12 posts, people like Jonathan Edwards, Rick Grape, Gary Beikirch, and my very first post about David Reagan. "Children" and "Daily Walk" tied with 9 posts, and they both beat out "Calvinism" by 1.

I have had opportunity to share with you great times of rejoicing, and of course, as recently, great times of weeping. Your, my faithful readers', comments have encouraged me, rebuked me, corrected me, made me laugh, and at times enfuriated me (but that's my fault, not yours)!

As far as the most comments on any one post? Well, there is a tie in that field. If you took all the comments for my Calvinism posts, that would win, however for the single post we have 20 comments for:
The Music Itself: Style, Genre, Sound and more recently PC Clearly More Spiritual

By God's grace, this blog will continue to improve: To remember that for which I am in this world; To challenge others to think on spiritual things. All for His glory. That Jesus Christ may be thought of with greater reverence, with more admiration, and with greater awe of His excellencies.

Just a thought...

Lincoln Does Right

For one of my classes this semester I was required to write a "Letter to the Editor" regarding something in the local newspaper. I found an article that interested me, and figured I would share my thoughts on it on my blog.

The article of interest is found here:
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

And the link about which the article talks is found here:
Lincoln and his Circle

My comments (limited to 175 words, of course) were:

I enjoy history, so when I read about Lincoln’s letters that the University of Rochester is posting on its website, my interest was piqued. In the letters, it is reported that Lincoln gave a proposed solution to slavery, in which the government would buy slaves from their owners at the price of $400, and in exchange states would establish a 20-year deadline for abolishing slavery. This would have cost as much money as the war cost for 87 days.

Initially, I thought Lincoln's solution was a great idea. Slave owners would get what they wanted as far as financial compensation for losing an “asset,” and the federal government would save money and lives.

The more I thought about it, the less I liked the idea. Abolishing slavery was the right thing to do. By extending the travesty 20 years, just to save money and lives would not have been the right thing to do. Sometimes it costs to do right: money, possessions, time, and even lives, but it is always right to do right now.

Just a thought... (No, I didn't include that in the paper I turned in!)

December 21, 1722

Romans 7:18
(18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

I am so thankful for this post is Jonathan Edwards' diary. It is short, just one line:

"Dec. 21, Friday. This day, and yesterday, I was exceedingly dull, dry and dead."

I read so much about the holiness of this man in his humility and following hard after God, that when I read this, I was at least encouraged in that there is hope. I do not see perfection as apprehensible in this life, but then I realize that Jonathan Edwards, and the Apostle Paul, both had the same struggles - to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not.

This is not an excuse to continue being dull, dry and dead. The next day Edwards writes about how the Spirit quickened him that day and he had a great time with the Lord. I recognize that Jonathan Edwards and the Apostle Paul still had flesh, they both strove for holiness and an increase in their sanctification. So, let's work on getting better.

Just a thought...

All His. No Right to Myself

1 Corinthians 6:20: For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

On January 12, 1723, I made a solemn dedication of myself to God, and wrote it down; giving up myself, and all that I had to God; to be for the future, in no respect, my own; to act as one that had no right to himself, in any respect. And solemnly vowed, to take God for my whole portion and felicity; looking on nothing else, as any part of my happiness, nor acting as if it were; and his law for the constant rule of my obedience: engaging to fight, with all my might, against the world, the flesh, and the devil, to the end of my life.

But I have reason to be infinitely humbled, when I consider, how much I have failed, of answering my obilgation.

- You probably did not realize that I was that old, huh? Now, that you read through that once, I would encourage you to read through it again a little bit slower, taking a minute to think about what is really being said.

Jonathan Edwards was regretful that it took him so long to come to his recognition of this type of spiritual commitment to God. I mean it wasn't until he was 19 years old that he wrote that down.
Just a thought

Romans 12:15

Romans 12:15: Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

2 Corinthians 12:9: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Our family gets a new chance to see God's grace in our lives as He comforts Sarah and the rest of the family. At about 11 weeks along, we lost the baby that had been growing in Sarah. I appreciate all of your prayers and concern.

300 Trained Servants

Genesis 13 and 14 tells the story of Abram and Lot parting ways. There substance was too great, so they separated. We all know that Lot went over by Sodom, and Abram stayed in the promised land. The story goes on that the city of Sodom is overrun by some people with long unfamiliar names, and Lot and his family is taken captive.

As I was reading this story, a phrase stuck out to me as Abram was preparing to go rescue Lot. It says that Abram "armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen..." I don't suspect that they were "trained" in the cullinary arts, or in clothes-washing techniques. If that's all it was, it wouldn't make sense to arm them. It has to be that these 318 men were trained for battle. Abram had 318 men born in his own house that he had trained for battle.

I guess I never really pictured Abram as having been so wealthy. I mean, he did wait until his father died before he came into Canaan. He did get a bunch of stuff from Pharaoh as he was lying about Sarai. But he thought it worthwhile to have 318 trained soldiers.

You're probably asking me: Andy, what's your point?! That's my problem. I don't really have one. It is just strange to me that Abram had his own little army. I'm sorry to let you down...

Just a pointless thought...

Oh, I should add that Jeff Adams has a great post today that I wish was my lunch-time thought (as do all of you!). You can find it here: http://drjeffadams.com/?p=615