I was looking through my favorites, and I came across this particular link - Lunch-Time Thoughts it was called. Then I remembered... I have a blog! Sorry for the lag in posting, although I'm sure most of you hadn't noticed anyway. Well, let's just pick up anywhere.
Psalm 119:52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
In this verse David makes the statements that by remembering the Lord's "judgments of old" that he comforted himself. In this Psalm, the word of God is referred to by a variety of terms, including "judgments." So, we could say that David is saying that by thinking on God's word, it brought comfort to him (Romans 15:4 - through patience and comfort of the Scripture).
However, if we take "judgments" as the more direct meaning of the word, we find that David comforted himself when he thought of how God dealt with people, and the decisions that He made towards them. When he thought of God's judging Sodom and Gomorrah too wicked to spare - it brought comfort. When he thought of God's flooding the world in the days of Noah, it brought comfort. When he thought of God kicking Adam and Eve out of the garden, it brought comfort. The only reason David could be, and we could be comforted by such things is when we recognize God's hatred for sin as a good thing - oh, and when we are in the right too!
At the same time, God judged people to be worthy recipients of His grace. What? you say. Worth of God's grace - impossible! Actually, no, all of us are worthy of His grace and mercy. Those that are whole have no need for a Physician. We are worthy in that we are so miserably helpless! So, God's judgment of Noah to receive grace. God choosing to bless Abraham, not because of anything he did, but simply because he believed God. These things also bring comfort.
So, let's be comforted knowing that the Judge of all the earth will do right.
Just a thought...
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
How Marvelous
I don't have any real deep thoughts today. The theme that has been on my mind of late is from a hymn: My Savior's Love. That was the hymn that I picked for my graduation. The first verse is on my mind:
I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.
And wonder how He could love me,
a sinner condemned, unclean.
How Marvelous, How Wonderful
And my song shall ever be -
How Marvelous, How Wonderful
Is my Savior's love for me.
I truly am amazed that my Jesus would love me, knowing who I am. I am eternally indebted to Him for what He did for me, His enemy at the time.
Thank you, Mr. Charles Gabriel for penning the words to that hymn.
I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.
And wonder how He could love me,
a sinner condemned, unclean.
How Marvelous, How Wonderful
And my song shall ever be -
How Marvelous, How Wonderful
Is my Savior's love for me.
I truly am amazed that my Jesus would love me, knowing who I am. I am eternally indebted to Him for what He did for me, His enemy at the time.
Thank you, Mr. Charles Gabriel for penning the words to that hymn.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Happy Birthday, Esther
Ok, so it's a day late, but still... Our youngest turned 1 year old yesterday, our Queen Esther... Isn't she adorable?!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Extremes
Why is it that we are a people of extremes? I refer specifically to doctrinal questions right now. We have a hard time walking the balanced line wherein truth usually lies, and instead, we jump far away from the opposition, and we end up going too far.
For example: Justification by faith vs. works... Living in a predominantly Roman Catholic area, we have to deal with some of the errors in that religious system. Roman Catholic dogma states that salvation is by God's grace, which the individual receives through the sacraments. However, taking Communion (a sacrament) is a work. If salvation is of works, then it is no more grace, Romans 11.
So, here's what our extreme tendencies make us do, we jump so far away from that that we almost take away everything from "faith," and teach that all you have to do is to say a prayer, or even worse, just raise your hand. Works are almost discouraged as a whole, just because we want to be sure to be separated from the other side.
The fact is that we need to recognize that works are important, that they are a necessary result of salvation (result, not cause). We need to be balanced, and take the whole truth of God regardless of who else abuses different parts.
Now, what do we do with those that are too extremely balanced...
Just a Thought...
For example: Justification by faith vs. works... Living in a predominantly Roman Catholic area, we have to deal with some of the errors in that religious system. Roman Catholic dogma states that salvation is by God's grace, which the individual receives through the sacraments. However, taking Communion (a sacrament) is a work. If salvation is of works, then it is no more grace, Romans 11.
So, here's what our extreme tendencies make us do, we jump so far away from that that we almost take away everything from "faith," and teach that all you have to do is to say a prayer, or even worse, just raise your hand. Works are almost discouraged as a whole, just because we want to be sure to be separated from the other side.
The fact is that we need to recognize that works are important, that they are a necessary result of salvation (result, not cause). We need to be balanced, and take the whole truth of God regardless of who else abuses different parts.
Now, what do we do with those that are too extremely balanced...
Just a Thought...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wednesday
Well, it has been a full week since graduation. Tonight, I am going to go to church after dropping the kids off at AWANA, and then I get to sit in the service and hear some preaching. I don’t have to be anywhere or do anything other than just be there. This feels all new to me, and I get to enjoy it with Sarah too!
Ok, I think it’s time to pickup something to read and study. Anybody read any good books lately that they’d like to share about? I think I will keep reading my Biblical Greek book, but I doubt any of you will care about that.
I’ve graduated… it’s starting to sink in…
No thought today, just rambling.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Pascal vs. Paul
The French philosopher, Blaise Pascal, is known for his famous "wager." He proposed that since the existence of God cannot be determined through reason, that a person should "wager" that God does exist because if he is wrong, he has nothing to lose, and if he's right, he has everything to gain.
However, when we compare that to what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:19, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
I don't know about you, but having a "miserable life" would be something lost. That is, back to Pascal's wager, if there is no God, then Paul says I can expect to live the most miserable life of all men because I follow Christ. And if there's no God, then after this miserable life, there is... well... nothing?
Pascal's wager seems to have two flaws, in my ignorant opinion. First of all, it is still using "reason" to arrive at God. His wager is "reasonable," yet God demands that we come to Him by faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Second, Pascal's wager dismisses the denial of self that the Christian life calls for. Dying is not a comfortable thing, but following Paul's example, all Christians should "die daily."
No, if God were not to exist, then we have everything to lose. However, God does exist; Jesus Christ did rise from the dead; our faith is not vain! I believe philosophy fails yet again to God's word.
Just a thought...
However, when we compare that to what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:19, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
I don't know about you, but having a "miserable life" would be something lost. That is, back to Pascal's wager, if there is no God, then Paul says I can expect to live the most miserable life of all men because I follow Christ. And if there's no God, then after this miserable life, there is... well... nothing?
Pascal's wager seems to have two flaws, in my ignorant opinion. First of all, it is still using "reason" to arrive at God. His wager is "reasonable," yet God demands that we come to Him by faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Second, Pascal's wager dismisses the denial of self that the Christian life calls for. Dying is not a comfortable thing, but following Paul's example, all Christians should "die daily."
No, if God were not to exist, then we have everything to lose. However, God does exist; Jesus Christ did rise from the dead; our faith is not vain! I believe philosophy fails yet again to God's word.
Just a thought...
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Stupid Graduate
The Stupid Graduate, that's me...
Proverbs 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Last night's graduation was a great time. Yet, right in the middle of it, I had the opportunity to demonstrate my utter carelessness and stupidity. I had the opportunity to brag on my wife Sarah, but I didn't. The Bible says that whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour (aka grace) of the LORD. But by the grace and favour of God, I am what I am. I needed to tell the whole world that, but I didn't. I'm stupid.
Sarah has been supportive of me through these years. We started Institute with a couple classes 6 years ago. I went full-time 5 years ago, taking one semester off for Joey being born. So, for the past 5 years, Sarah has been there encouraging me to finish (actually, she never cared if I was learning anything, she just wanted me to finish!). She has been by my side through other struggles we've had: being laid off from my job the month after we were married, struggling through very irregular income while trying to run my own business a few years back, and having to deal with creditors and bankruptcy as a result of that business. She has been the greatest help to me during all of that time.
She has given birth to our five wonderful children. 3 of which have been born during my time in institute, and 2 which were just very young when I started. She has been a great mother to them and had to do things with them that I should have done, but was unable to while in classes. She has done all of the work taking care of the children at times when I would be sitting in my office doing my homework, studying, or preparing some lesson.
And then there was this semester... Talk about finishing it off with a bang. Towards the end of last year, the debt that I carried over from the business caught back up to us, and the creditors finally got to the point where they were beginning to garnish my wages - that doesn't do very well on a tight budget! We finally were "forced" into filing bankruptcy. So, we've been dealing with that whole process and all that goes along with it. Then there was the little issue of a computer that was not backed up and half of a thesis that was lost. Needless to say, Sarah gave me as much time as I needed to get that re-written, and believe me, it was a lot of what should have been family time used to finish that. And the biggest difficulty this semester, was the miscarriage. With everything else going on, she had to deal with a physical and emotional trial greater, probably, than any other she has had before. Yet, she let me go on and finish. She still did all the same that she has done.
I should have said all of this last night, but I'm the stupid graduate, remember? As soon as I sat down and Seth got up (immediately praising his wife), I realized how dumb I was. My first thought was this: "I wish I had used notes!" My second thought was this: "How stupid I am, to think that I should have needed notes to remember to talk about Sarah." As Seth was talking, I thought about standing up when he finished and saying something about her then, but I thought it would have been inappropriate to interrupt the ceremony, especially after what Seth had just said and all... More evidence of my stupidity. It would have been very appropriate, but I didn't.
Whoso findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. God's grace and favour was bestowed to me in the most incredible way when He gave me my wife. She is a wonderful mother. She shows me love when I do not deserve it. She is kind and patient towards other people. She is compassionate. She has a great voice to sing. She can cook. She can sew. And to top it all off, she's a great kisser!
I love my wife, and I am so thankful for her.
I love you, Sarah.
Proverbs 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Last night's graduation was a great time. Yet, right in the middle of it, I had the opportunity to demonstrate my utter carelessness and stupidity. I had the opportunity to brag on my wife Sarah, but I didn't. The Bible says that whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour (aka grace) of the LORD. But by the grace and favour of God, I am what I am. I needed to tell the whole world that, but I didn't. I'm stupid.
Sarah has been supportive of me through these years. We started Institute with a couple classes 6 years ago. I went full-time 5 years ago, taking one semester off for Joey being born. So, for the past 5 years, Sarah has been there encouraging me to finish (actually, she never cared if I was learning anything, she just wanted me to finish!). She has been by my side through other struggles we've had: being laid off from my job the month after we were married, struggling through very irregular income while trying to run my own business a few years back, and having to deal with creditors and bankruptcy as a result of that business. She has been the greatest help to me during all of that time.
She has given birth to our five wonderful children. 3 of which have been born during my time in institute, and 2 which were just very young when I started. She has been a great mother to them and had to do things with them that I should have done, but was unable to while in classes. She has done all of the work taking care of the children at times when I would be sitting in my office doing my homework, studying, or preparing some lesson.
And then there was this semester... Talk about finishing it off with a bang. Towards the end of last year, the debt that I carried over from the business caught back up to us, and the creditors finally got to the point where they were beginning to garnish my wages - that doesn't do very well on a tight budget! We finally were "forced" into filing bankruptcy. So, we've been dealing with that whole process and all that goes along with it. Then there was the little issue of a computer that was not backed up and half of a thesis that was lost. Needless to say, Sarah gave me as much time as I needed to get that re-written, and believe me, it was a lot of what should have been family time used to finish that. And the biggest difficulty this semester, was the miscarriage. With everything else going on, she had to deal with a physical and emotional trial greater, probably, than any other she has had before. Yet, she let me go on and finish. She still did all the same that she has done.
I should have said all of this last night, but I'm the stupid graduate, remember? As soon as I sat down and Seth got up (immediately praising his wife), I realized how dumb I was. My first thought was this: "I wish I had used notes!" My second thought was this: "How stupid I am, to think that I should have needed notes to remember to talk about Sarah." As Seth was talking, I thought about standing up when he finished and saying something about her then, but I thought it would have been inappropriate to interrupt the ceremony, especially after what Seth had just said and all... More evidence of my stupidity. It would have been very appropriate, but I didn't.
Whoso findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. God's grace and favour was bestowed to me in the most incredible way when He gave me my wife. She is a wonderful mother. She shows me love when I do not deserve it. She is kind and patient towards other people. She is compassionate. She has a great voice to sing. She can cook. She can sew. And to top it all off, she's a great kisser!
I love my wife, and I am so thankful for her.
I love you, Sarah.
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