Hockey and Inward Sin

With the Stanley Cup finals on , I have to admit that my head and heart has not been into writing. The reason , my Boston Bruins are on a run that has them playing for the Stanley Cup.As I write they trail 3 games to 2 and face a hard up hill battle to win. One  more loss and they will be eliminated. That is a hard thing to swallow to be so close and still not win. Its hard to make it to the championship and its been 21 years since  Boston has played for the cup. So to possibly watch your team lose , hits you in the gut hard. Its hard for a non sports fan to get this , but cheering for your team since a child , it becomes part of your identity.

So when they lose you take it personal.You actually feel sick to your stomach. So what does this have to do with inward sin? For me when your team is winning ,life is good but when they lose , my soul turns sour and downcast. I'm edgy ,angry and feel totally lost . The sinful man that lurks within me finds an entrance with a loss and all the disappointments and personal mistakes rise up like a serpent and shows its fangs. It is truly irrational and ridiculous to allow a game affect me so . But it shows how close to the surface sin can be .

So should I stop watching hockey and therefore eliminating the temptation ? Sometimes I wonder if I should . Jesus said that if anything causes you to sin , to cut it out of your life. I take it so personal that it boils over and  into all past failures and struggles. So in a loss it cuts deep . I realize that many Christians are great sports fans and probably do not struggle with the anger I have.

So hockey in reality really just reveals that within my heart I have many unresolved issues. So I don't think its my love of the Bruins has to go but I must turn to Christ to uproot the true nature of my sins . So my prayer is that first ,my Bruins make a comeback and win the cup (please Lord) and that God will forgive me , renew me and help me uproot and put to death the old man .


Verse Of The Day  :  [15] For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
(Romans 7:15 ESV)

Catechism Friday

Heidelberg Catechism (1576 A.D.)

100. Q. Is the blaspheming of God's Name by swearing and cursing such a grievous sin that God is angry also with those who do not prevent and forbid it as much as they can?

A. Certainly,[1] for no sin is greater or provokes God's wrath more than the blaspheming of His Name. That is why He commanded it to be punished with death.[2]

[1] Lev. 5:1. [2] Lev. 24:16.

101. Q. But may we swear an oath by the Name of God in a godly manner?

A. Yes, when the government demands it of its subjects, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote fidelity and truth, to God's glory and for our neighbour's good. Such oath-taking is based on God's Word[1] and was therefore rightly used by saints in the Old and the New Testament.[2]

[1] Deut. 6:13; 10:20; Jer. 4:1, 2; Heb. 6:16. [2] Gen. 21:24; 31:53; Josh. 9:15; I Sam. 24:22; I Kings 1:29, 30;Rom. 1:9; II Cor. 1:23.

102. Q. May we also swear by saints or other creatures?

A. No. A lawful oath is a calling upon God, who alone knows the heart, to bear witness to the truth, and to punish me if I swear falsely.[1] No creature is worthy of such honour.[2]

[1] Rom. 9:1; II Cor. 1:23. [2] Matt. 5:34-37; 23:16-22; James 5:12.

103. Q. What does God require in the fourth commandment?

A. First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained[1] and that, especially on the day of rest, I diligently attend the church of God[2] to hear God's Word,[3] to use the sacraments,[4] to call publicly upon the LORD,[5] and to give Christian offerings for the poor.[6] Second, that all the days of my life I rest from my evil works, let the LORD work in me through His Holy Spirit, and so begin in this life the eternal sabbath.[7]

[1] Deut. 6:4-9; 20-25; I Cor. 9:13, 14; II Tim. 2:2; 3:13-17; Tit. 1:5. [2] Deut. 12:5-12; Ps. 40:9, 10; 68:26; Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:23-25. [3] Rom. 10:14-17; I Cor. 14:26-33; I Tim. 4:13. [4] I Cor. 11:23, 24. [5] Col. 3:16; I Tim. 2:1. [6] Ps. 50:14; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 8 and 9. [7] Is. 66:23; Heb. 4:9-11.

104. Q. What does God require in the fifth commandment?

A. That I show all honour, love, and faithfulness to my father and mother and to all those in authority over me, submit myself with due obedience to their good instruction and discipline,[1] and also have patience with their weaknesses and shortcomings,[2] since it is God's will to govern us by their hand.[3]

[1] Ex. 21:17; Prov. 1:8; 4:1; Rom. 13:1, 2; Eph. 5:21, 22; 6:1-9; Col. 3:18-4:1. [2] Prov. 20:20; 23:22; I Pet.2:18. [3] Matt. 22:21, Rom. 13:1-8; Eph. 6:1-9; Col. 3:18-21.

105. Q. What does God require in the sixth commandment?

A. I am not to dishonour, hate, injure, or kill my neighbour by thoughts, words, or gestures, and much less by deeds, whether personally or through another;[1] rather, I am to put away all desire of revenge.[2] Moreover, I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself.[3] Therefore, also, the government bears the sword to prevent murder.[4]

[1] Gen. 9:6; Lev. 19:17, 18; Matt. 5:21, 22; 26:52. [2] Prov. 25:21, 22; Matt. 18:35; Rom. 12:19; Eph. 4:26. [3]Matt. 4:7; 26:52; Rom. 13:11-14. [4] Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:14; Rom. 13:4.

Hiding From The Truth

During the normal  run of the day on TV,in Newspapers and even Radio countless adds and commercials are run with the emphasis on looking younger,fresher , to beat the aging process. It could be wrinkle creams,to magic foods and then you have the more radical of cosmetic surgery and botox. To be young , youthful and whatever it takes is worth it.

Now I'm not saying we should not take care of our bodies or even dress with some style , get our hair styles or maintain a vibrant lifesytle but the fact is much of the "youth" driven industry is focused on what I think is the need or want to bury the idea of our own mortality as far from our minds as possible. Death is not a subject we like to talk about , and unlike the past it has become a sterilized thing in the west. Thanks to advances in medicine we are indeed living longer and we hide from that reality.

So when people get botox or surgery to feed first their vanity, by hiding the wrinkles and sagging skin ( even if you work out ,it will drop ,sorry) it gives the illusion that death is far off . Lets face it , when you see more wrinkles,less hair,begin to feel pain you never felt before you are acutely aware the the bottom line is time is ticking. No one can out run the grave . Rich and poor , there is no discrimination. Although it is true the rich live longer in general because of numerous factors , they cannot out run it .

In general no one when pressed goes death is great , can't wait. Its like we know something more awaits. Unless one is a hardcore Atheist , and even they honestly can't say they like the fact of their demise , most wonder what lies beyond . They ask what if there is something more , whats it like , where do we go and is there  a judgement.

As a Christ follower we have much to say concerning all these questions and answers. The Bible is clear and honest about why we die , where we go and the truth about death. If we truly believe in these truths , we must begin to be bolder and truthful . The gospel of Christ is the answer and some may not like that truth and want to continue in their hiding from the grave that awaits but time is not on anyone's side. The word of God declares today is the day  of salvation , to redeem the time for the days are evil and calls all to repent and believe on Jesus Christ or die under the wrath of God .

There are second chances , no do overs .

Verse Of The Day  :      [27] And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, [28] so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
(Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV)

Preaching The Gospel To Yourself Each Day

This song by Casting  Crowns reflects this truth . We need to be saturated in the gospel to do war against sin that lingers within the flesh or old man. It is war and sometimes it is not pretty but fight we must , but not in our own strength but in the might of the gospel , in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Verse Of The Day  :  [13] Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
(1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV)

Quote Sunday

"Though the church is not filled with hypocrites, there is no denying that hypocrisy is a sin that is not limited or restricted to New Testament Pharisees. It is a sin with which Christians must grapple. A high standard of spiritual and righteous behavior has been set for the church. We often are embarrassed by our failures to reach these high goals and are inclined to pretend that we have reached a higher plateau of righteousness than we’ve actually attained. When we do that, we put on the mask of the hypocrite and come under the judgment of God for that particular sin. When we find ourselves enmeshed in this type of pretense, an alarm bell should go off in our brains that we need to rush back to the cross and to Christ and to understand where our true righteousness resides. We have to find in Christ, not a mask that conceals our face, but an entire wardrobe of clothing, which is His righteousness. Indeed, it is only under the guise of the righteousness of Christ, received by faith, that any of us can ever have a hope of standing before a holy God. To wear the garments of Christ in faith is not an act of hypocrisy. It is an act of redemption."   RC  Sproul

Catechism Friday

Heidelberg Catechism (1576 A.D.)

93. Q. How are these commandments divided?

A. Into two parts. The first teaches us how to live in relation to God; the second, what duties we owe our neighbour.[1]

[1] Matt. 22:37-40.

94. Q. What does the LORD require in the first commandment?

A. That for the sake of my very salvation I avoid and flee all idolatry,[1] witchcraft, superstition,[2] and prayer to saints or to other creatures.[3] Further, that I rightly come to know the only true God.[4] trust in Him alone,[5] submit to Him with all humility[6] and patience,[7] expect all good from Him only,[8] and love,[9] fear,[10] and honour Him[11] with all my heart.   In short, that I forsake all creatures rather than do the least thing against His will.[12]

[1] I Cor. 6:9, 10; 10:5-14; I John 5:21. [2] Lev. 19:31; Deut. 18:9-12. [3] Matt. 4:10; Rev. 19:10; 22:8, 9. [4] John 17:3. [5] Jer. 17:5, 7. [6] I Pet. 5:5, 6. [7] Rom. 5:3, 4; I Cor. 10:10; Phil. 2:14; Col. 1:11; Heb. 10:36. [8] Ps. 104:27, 28; Is. 45:7; James 1:17. [9] Deut. 6:5; (Matt. 22:37). [10] Deut. 6:2; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; Matt. 10:28; I Pet. 1:17. [11] Deut. 6:13; (Matt. 4:10); Deut. 10:20. [12] Matt. 5:29, 30; 10:37-39; Acts 5:29.

95. Q. What is idolatry?

A. Idolatry is having or inventing something in which to put our trust instead of, or in addition to, the only true God who has revealed Himself in His Word.[1]

[1] I Chron. 16:26; Gal. 4:8, 9; Eph. 5:5; Phil. 3:19.

96. Q. What does God require in the second commandment?

A. We are not to make an image of God in any way,[1] nor to worship Him in any other manner than He has commanded in His Word.[2]

[1] Deut. 4:15-19; Is. 40:18-25; Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:23. [2] Lev. 10:1-7; Deut. 12:30; I Sam. 15:22, 23; Matt. 15:9;John 4:23, 24.

97. Q. May we then not make any image at all?

A. God cannot and may not be visibly portrayed in any way.  Creatures may be portrayed, but God forbids us to make or have any images of them in order to worship them or to serve God through them.[1]

[1] Ex. 34:13, 14, 17; Num. 33:52; II Kings 18:4, 5; Is. 40:25.

98. Q. But may images not be tolerated in the churches as "books for the laity"?

A. No, for we should not be wiser than God.  He wants His people to be taught not by means of dumb images[1] but by the living preaching of His Word.[2]

[1] Jer. 10:8; Hab. 2:18-20. [2] Rom. 10:14, 15, 17; II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Pet. 1:19.

99. Q. What is required in the third commandment?

A. We are not to blaspheme or to abuse the Name of God by cursing,[1] perjury,[2] or unnecessary oaths,[3] nor to share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders.[4] In short, we must use the holy Name of God only with fear and reverence,[5] so that we may rightly confess Him,[6] call upon Him,[7] and praise Him in all our words and works.[8]

[1] Lev. 24:10-17. [2] Lev. 19:12 [3] Matt. 5:37; James 5:12. [4] Lev. 5:1; Prov. 29:24. [5] Ps. 99:1-5; Is. 45:23;Jer. 4:2. [6] Matt. 10:32, 33; Rom. 10:9, 10. [7] Ps. 50:14, 15; I Tim. 2:8. [8] Rom. 2:24; Col. 3:17; I Tim. 6:1.

One of Those Songs

Sometimes a song really sticks in your head and for me , when I'm reflecting (which seems to be a lot lately over life , shoot me I'm Irish) there are about 4 artist that have songs that have really impacted me and pop into my head . Bob Seger is one such artist. I bet my wife knows the other artist.