Schools Out for Summer ......

Schools out For Summer, Alice Cooper famously sung back in the mid 70's and it has been a anthem of the freedom that comes every June . I still recall the elation of getting out those doors that seemed to stifle creativity . I realize that now much of that had to do with how boring some of the teachers were . They simply had no passion for the job of teaching , Granted there were a few that you could see there love shine through and I really enjoyed those classes. But by and far I remember almost being put to sleep but the monotone ,boring prattle of someone putting in time .

My youngest son , now through grade 11 , YEAH!!! got by with what I would call average marks. I know full well he could attain higher marks but he is a tough one to crack . Plus like me he flourishes well in subjects he has a passion for and not so well in others . Math being one that he does not like but he got the credit.

Now as I reflect on school and how the education is system is structured , I really think it is having a horrible effect on society . Bare with me . Most kids get out of high school at the age of 18 or so . Then off to college or university . From there they need to spend at least 2  and up to 7 years to complete their respective degrees. Then comes the financial burdens of higher education. Most that I know have come out owing between 40000 to 60000 dollars. Then they have to obtain a job in their respective careers and live life as well. This leaves them in a hole that can be overwhelming .

What has been the  result ?  More of men and women are putting off getting married , having children till they get their lives "together' , whatever that really means . What stabilizes a society is the family . Once that institution, given to us by God, is delayed or put aside , the net result is a country were a self centered , me first mentality thrives. Don't even talk to me about living together . That is shallow and empty way of saying , that the other person is nothing more than a sex friend and a money partner . Plus as  they said in my grandmothers day , it is living in sin,shacking up . It erodes at a society .

Plus from what I have seen and heard colleges and university promotes more a life of debauchery and sin . Growing up is that thing you delay till the very last . But the net result is a whole slew of 20 something still acting like they are 14.

I think we need a whole reformation of how we educate and how we move our children towards growing up .The first thing is high school needs to become a place were kids can explore what their gifts are so that when they arrive at grade 11 , they have a real sense what careers to move towards . Grade 12 should become a place to begin to learn those skills. Then in college or university , they should cut out all the crap that has nothing to do with achieving that goal of getting your degree. Finally the cost of education is too high . For a person to come out owing almost a house before they can earn a dollar, puts them under a burden that will take years to get out from . Delaying having a family or considering marriage will have a huge cost if this generation does not change and grow up. 

As my boys move towards careers in the world I do worry . I worry about my eldest son finding a wife because how how so many women are rejecting the God ordained roles of wife and mother , maintaining his integrity in a world saturated by sin and for my youngest , hoping that in a flawed and incoherent education system the gifts he does have can find a place to flourish.

Young people are putting off the seriousness of life to acquire things but in reality those things do not matter much . But I would argue the education system as it is , is the engine driving the changes we see . Teachers want to say they have played no part in what they see around us but who has our kids 5 days a week for 13 years . I'm no fan of the public school system . Never have been . So as far as I'm concerned I will scream with Coop for all the kids marginalized and getting taught by teachers going through the motions (not all , I do want to say there are many great teachers ).....Schools Out For Summer .......

Senseless , Totally Tragic

I love animals . I really do . Having a dog was always part of my home , we even had cats and a rabbit . Animals are part of God's creation for us to enjoy and be caretakers of . That includes eating some of them for food. Jesus ate Lamb at the passover  and in the story of the prodigal son , it included getting the fatten cow for a feast . 

But at the same time as caretakers of the world we should try to preserve and maintain a safe environment for all wildlife . Even those we harvest for food on land and sea. God has placed us in dominion not to abuse this amazing planet He created.

But this story that I read about a woman who had stopped on a busy highway to let some ducks cross the road that led to a father and his daughter to die made me angry. The father was driving a motorcycle with his daughter on the back when apparently they plowed into the back of the stopped car. He was 59 and she was 16 . Two lives gone because a bunch of ducks were allowed to cross the road. 

As a general rule I try to avoid hitting animals . But if I'm on a road with traffic and some critter smaller than a deer,bear or moose enters into my line of fire , road kill . I have hit a skunk,porcupine,cats,birds,squirrels . Sure I feel bad but here is the deal . They are not created in the image of God . If I run over a cat and 2 other cats are with it , they may hang around for a bit but within a hour they will be on to eating,sleeping and using a litter box. Same with all the others. They have limited self awareness. 

But that wife and mother who witnessed this senseless accident will have deep , deep grief that will last her the rest of her life . All because a driver had to stop for some ducks . 

One clarifier . God is sovereign over all things , there are no accidents in His providence and indeed it is a mystery but within that there is also grace and hope. But that still does not excuse the stupidity of this driver . Sickening. 

Wisdom , Thoughts and What ?

Have you ever thought you had it all figured out? No. Well join the club because in reality no one has . Wisdom I think dictates that one has to admit we have limitations on answers to all of life dilemmas. It is the height of arrogance to think we do . In matters of life like when you move , what path one should take for a career , counselling your kids etc.. All these things do not contain a black and white cookie cutter answer.

In fact as of late I think I'm more apt to say what is up with that ? Its true in God's word there are certain fixed truths , black and whites that are not up for negotiation or debate. God is creator , Jesus Christ is the redeemer and Saviour , the  Bible is God's inerrant word , God is triune etc... and many other truths but that is not what I'm referring to.

What I mean is , how do you counsel someone who is looking for a mate and is lonely , what to say to someone who has had a horrible set back be it disease or financial collapse , those who have been used up by the world , hurt and broken. Sometimes wisdom dictates to say nothing , listen ,care and be slow to offer clichéd ,fortune cookie advice.

Sometimes the only wise course of action is to pray . Bring those concerns to the throne of grace and lay them there. There will be a time to speak but a wise person will know that a caring heart and open ear can speak volumes on its own.


a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;      May we learn when to be silent and to speak .
 (Ecclesiastes 3:7 ESV)

Too Familiar

Have you ever heard or read something so much in essence , it loses its meaning? It comes from being so over exposed that we forget to actually look at what the words are really saying. They roll off the tongue or into the ears and the meaning has a disconnect to the brain . The depth of what they are really saying is lost because of over exposure or they have been removed from their context.

The two that in the Christian world have become victims of there over use are Psalm 23 and the great hymn from John Newton , Amazing Grace. They have been used at more funerals than any others by people who really have no connection to the faith . They are sung over those being buried who never entered a church , read the Bible and gave no evidence of faith. But they are read and sung to comfort. Plus on TV and the movies they seemed to be the safe ones .  Amazing Grace was played at Spock's funeral in Star Trek 3 weird or what .  They have been reduced to almost a comfort mantra . But should they comfort?

Psalm 23 starts off acknowledging that the Lord is your shepherd . That He is the one leading you through life . A shepherd is one who guards his sheep . He leads with his rod and staff . To protect and correct or discipline. There is an intimacy involved with the sheep in that they know his voice and trust him to lead them . Jesus used the title of shepherd ."I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me," John 10:14 . He went on to say the as the Shepherd he was going to lay down his life for his sheep. His sheep , not the masses , not the unbelievers . People read this Psalm without understanding that if Jesus Christ is not the shepherd of your soul daily , your Lord  , your Saviour this Psalm is not a comfort at all for when it mentions enemies , that is a description of those who are against God's holy one. If you have not repented , acknowledged you sinfulness and trusted in the shepherd who laid down his life , then you sit under this curse in this Psalm , not its blessings .

The same with Amazing grace .  I would bet  this song is sung at more funerals than any other hymn for those who never darkened the doors of a church, never daily read God's word the bible and probably used Jesus as a curse word than crying out for His saving grace. The story of John Newton is an amazing one . Slave trader turned Christian Pastor . His story is one of grace , God's unmerited favor to call him to repentance . This hymn is a song of a soul  who knew his standing before a holy God . 


Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.


Have you ever heard , your a wretched sinner in need of God's grace . That  apart from Jesus Christ and His perfect life,death on the cross and resurrection your are a child of wrath. 


’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!


God loves you is what we hear over and over . Who hasn't sung this hymn with those words , fear and it never computes . Why should I fear God . I'm not that bad . But the first work of grace is fear , for an unholy man before a holy God is a frightening thing. But it is also good news for God calls , repent , believe in my holy one , Jesus , and have you fear removed and become a child of God . 


In closing , realize that these two great  and well used words , one from God's word and one from a great repentant sinner , can still have deep meaning and minister to our souls . Just remind those who sing or read this words on a plaque hanging on a wall , they are not comforts for the soul still in rebellion against Jesus Christ. Use them to witness and recapture the beauty of these standards.






                            

Preparing Your Heart For Sunday

Calvin's Pulpit 

As Sunday morning soon dawns , where is your heart? As a Christian we need to truly understand the weight of the Christian sabbath or Lord's day. Each Sunday we gather, it witnesses to the world that Christ is risen. That was the most significant change . A primary Jewish group of  believers , accustomed to sabbath keeping moved their worship to Sunday . Understanding that in the truth of the resurrection , something new had begun . That God had started a new beginning , a new covenant had come .  That was a huge move.

So when we gather this Sunday, hear the word preached , have the sacraments administered , we proclaim the Lord's death and resurrection till He comes again.

So prepare you heart . Spend time in the word , pray , get up early enough so things are not rushed , enter into your Church with God's awesome holiness in mind . Know that the Holy Spirit is present , angels are watching and Jesus will be proclaimed , as Lord of Lords and King of Kings .

Worship is amazing act that God calls us to enjoy His presence . May we understand what we do when we enter His house .


[28] Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
(Hebrews 12:28 ESV)

No Beers About It ......

Its summer time and I admit , every once in a while I like  a cold beer. The taste and the flavor is something I enjoy. Now I realize that as a Christian many will go , wait a minute , Christians can't drink alcohol? Well I do and we can . There is no clear command in scripture that forbids it . None , zip , zilch!! Those who oppose it do so more due to external matters concerning drunkenness in society and the problems that come with that .

But in general alcohol was drank by believers throughout the ages . It has only been in the last 150 years that it has become an issue. Granted it is clear in scripture that one is not to be drunk or abuse alcohol (just read Proverbs) but wine was part of the beverage of Old and New Testament times . Martin Luther was known to be a good beer master. 

Even in Baptist circles who love the great Charles Haddon Spurgeon ,have to admit he did drink beer until under personal conviction gave it up. That is what it boils down to for me . I do not flaunt my freedom and I'm very respectful around those who have struggled or have a weak conscience but I still enjoy a cold one .

So that is my 2 cents worth . Its just a simple view , nothing exhausting but like I said , the bible is silent and if you want to force it to say it does , then you need to re-look at the way  one interprets scripture.

Looking in a Mirror

[25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28] In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
(Ephesians 5:25-29 ESV)


[4] Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:4 ESV)

These passages are linked to the song by Sanctus Real . The song called Lead Me relates the desire of the husband and father to lead his wife and children well. To love them and protect,provide and lead them . It is a daunting task to contemplate . That God has called men to lead , to be he head of the family . In todays age with a growing dislike for a biblical understanding of gender roles and the outright rejection of marriage , it is a confusing time .

Plus with so many men refusing to grow up and become real men , acting like spoiled teenagers and women doing the same , putting off marriage and child bearing , the Church faces a hard task but one that needs to be  done  to honor God.

As I look at my life , as my boys turn into young men ,my wife and I enjoy almost 23 years being married , I can see many ups and downs . No question at times I lead in a way that was too legalistic . Not following the command to show grace and love. Then having spent 10 years drifting into what I call my dark ages , even though I still loved and would have given my life for them , I did not obey God's command. I have to admit that haunts me . I have asked God to forgive me and help me lead ,be strong for them . I hope I have .

In what coming years I have , my prayer is that God will help me lead them well. That the gospel will frame my life with them . My hope is to pray for them , to be there when they need me and serve them with the heart of Christ.

We need men to be men again and take these words very seriously . We need Churches  to regain a masculine stand on issues about marriage and headship in both the home and church. This generation has been so pumped with anti-biblical view of marriage and sexuality , with homosexuality ,trans gender and every other form of deviant behavior as normal  , that we must preach the truth in love . The passages above are so counter cultural and so needed, we need to show this fallen world  the truth of what God wants us to mirror His call in the way men and women are to act and be.

We have a mandate to fulfill and Christianity is not for the faint of heart . So are you man enough ? You can be by asking God to lead you to be the husband and father your family needs . I hope and pray I can be .

Lead Me (Acoustic - with lyrics) by Sanctus Real

  


“For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.”

Ephesians 5:23

Learning Patience

Didn't get a chance to blog yesterday due to the computer being hormonal. OK just kidding but it was acting up .

Computers are great things . I love using them but I swear they have been placed in our lives by God to develop patience . But hopefully within the next day or so it will be operating the way it should and behave.

We did switch over to a Linux operating system and I like it, but it takes learning , time . My motto is the old adage , keep it simple stupid and computers should be the same.

Final note on computers . They can be a great tool for God's glory . I can read blogs by many preachers and teachers I enjoy . It can broadcast ministries that  one could never access . Plus as a general research tool it is amazing . But the dark side lingers as well . From porn , to misinformation etc... even the time it can take away just by frivolousness activity . Too much time that is .

The pro's I think , outweigh the cons. So what I have began to do is just ask God to help me use this gift for His glory .

Now if I could just get it healed right!!

Doing the Hard Work

In life one very soon realizes that if you do not work hard , you will not achieve your goal. That could be losing weight , learning guitar,painting,getting better grades etc... on and on the list could go. I will not put getting that promotion because as I'm sure we all know, that in the real world many factors can come in to play with that one  .

But when it comes to personal growth , hard work is a guaranteed  pay off. If you pick up a guitar and read the books about playing or watch videos , you will get better . I can recall a story about some famous violinist and when asked apparently about his skill and talent , he basically said it was mostly due to practice. To hard work . No short cuts .

Now if one is to work hard at a skill , I believe it has to fire the passions . If you do not have a heart for cooking,playing a instrument , a sport or whatever , you will not stay with it . Even in school , people who have a heart for the arts perform better than those who don't and the same with sciences . Sure you can still do well by study and work but once you are left to your own , you will not be picking up a art or scientific journal unless it gets your blood going .


It is no different when it comes growing as a Christian . After one repents and trust in Jesus , way too many  start to live their lives on auto pilot . They reason , well the Holy Spirit will lead me , help me grow. But God has given us His word which needs to be studied and elders ,teachers instruct  . The fact that God communicates in word supports the very idea of study.
[The Fellowship of the Believers]
    [42] And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
(Acts 2:42 ESV) Here we read very early that as the Church was being established one of the basic things was that they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching. In our contemporary setting , this is the Bible . I said before if one wants to learn , you have to have a passion . Should not a Christian burn with a heart of love and desire to know the Lord who has saved his/her soul from the wrath to come. In order to learn of what God has done , one must get to kn ow him.

In some ways its like when you first starting dating . When you fall in love and begin courtship , you want to spend time with her , talk with her , be with her as much as you can . You talk , you listen and you grow in your knowledge of your love. After you are married , you still need to spend time , to talk , to listen. If you say you truly love her /him you want to be with them . Should it not be the same with God. Making time is work . It will not come unless you work at it .

The other thing apart from the word is solid books of men of God who have been placed in the lives of Christian throughout history as preachers and elders. Men who have been gifted by God to instruct and teach . They are not to take rule over the word , but we honor the fact God call them to help us grow . They are to shepherd and lead the flock . They answer themselves to the Great Shepherd  , but we need them . Any one who says , well I just need the Bible , is ignorant of how God can help us grow  through these men  who have bled and gave themselves as students of word to our benefit.

Last we need to work hard because it pays off. We need to go deeper . Not cheery picking the Bible but reading it all . We need to read solid books from thinkers who will challenge us and lead us to a deeper knowledge of God . Having a solid theology , yes I said that word , will ground us when the world turns dark , when the wheels fall off. There are no short cuts . There are no excuses . If Jesus came to die , left His throne and condescended to save a wretch like you and me , what can we say . Sorry I was watching the latest sports event , or my work is too busy. Really ! We have all been there .

But the pay off is huge . Every time Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan he wielded the word of God . Empowered by the Holy Spirit , the word of God is the sword of the Spirit. The sword is not only a defensive weapon but an offensive one. We need to be a skilled wielder . Just like a master swordsmen , a Musketeer if you will , a William Wallace , it comes by working hard at learning the word .Letting it master us , that when we are tempted by our flesh,the world or the Devil we will wield it well due to our hard work . Like I said , if God is your first love , it will be hard work that will feel like nothing.

No short cuts  , no let god and let God . So lets flex some spiritual muscle and get engaged .

Whats My Motivation.......

Short and to the point today. I'm tired and a bit worn out today . Partly from the trip which was really enjoyable and the other from mental fatigue. I think too much . Something I have been guilty of all my life . My biggest  problem is I'm a bit frozen . 

Oh well ..............will someone tell me my motivation ....................

Photo Trip Interlude .....

Haven't blogged in a couple of days because of a photo road trip . Went with a couple of friends down to the south shore area of Mahone Bay and made our way up to Peggy's Cove , Nova Scot . We left at 4 in the morning and did not get back till 11 that night . So I was a bit tired . But what a wonderful time if fellowship with 3 Christian brothers in the faith . The day was hot (30 plus with a humid-ex)but there was enough breeze to keep us cool coming off the water.

As we walked and took in the scenery I was reminded of the beauty and wonder of God's creation . I think this  passage always comes to me , [19] For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. [20] For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
(Romans 1:19-20 )

As I watched birds skim the waters and clouds frame the blue sky , the wonder and majesty of God just fills my soul . How deep and scarred our sinful souls are when we cannot believe in the God of the Bible apart from the Holy Spirit quickening our dead soul. To look the complexity and grandeur of creation should convince all but we would rather worship the creature than the God who created all things. It just really shows the depth of our sin and rebellion . But as this passage says , this will condemn us even more because we are without excuse.

Literally no one will be able to say I did not know. Plus if we are rightfully condemned on that basis , how much more shall we be when the charge can be leveled 2 more time . Nature declares His reality , but God has spoken in word and  in flesh in the Son . No , no one can say , I did not know . We know , its that we suppress the truth because we love our sin . But isn't great God saves sinners like me and you .

Then when I watch the sun , placed in the heavens by God set over the beauty of Peggy's Cove , my heart can sing praise to God for His creation , His love and His salvation . This indeed is our Father's world.

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears 
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. 
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought 
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; 
His hand the wonders wrought. 

This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise, 
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker's praise. 
This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair; 
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass; 
He speaks to me everywhere. 

Your a Blockhead.....

OK you know by the header what this is about. Yes sir , good old Charlie Brown. That , you can't keep me down loser . I say loser but I have never views that way. When I was first introduced to this round headed kid and the peanuts gang , well it hooked me. From Linus,Lucy,Pig Pen ,Snoopy and the rest of the gang . I even have some collectibles . I recall getting a t-shirt from my aunt Betty ,who lived in New York ,  when she came to visit us during summer. It was so cool . We had nothing with Peanuts on it . Still hard to find.

The Christmas special was my first taste . If I recall I would have been 4 the first time I watched it . On a 20 inch black and white T.V .  It became a tradition . Especially knowing that you could only see it when it aired ,we had no VCR's ,no DVD's . So you made sure you knew when it was on our local CBC affiliate. One of our 2 channels and on a good day we might get 3 . So it was very special . My mom would always make sure she would know when it was on so I would not miss it .

Since that time I probably have watched it over 200 times with the advent of VCR's and now DVD's. Yes I own it.Watch it sometime even in summer . I know I'm sick .

That special is very dear to my heart. It has always moved me but one time back when I was between 18-19 it moved me to tears. I had to compose myself . When Charlie Brown calls out ,"Is There Anybody who can tell me what Chroistmas is all about?", and Linus gets up tells him he can tell him and directly quotes the passage from Luke . It shook me . Here I was a tough guy , don't laugh . I listened to hard rock , loved the big bad Bruins etc... I had to go to the bathroom and compose myself . Why did it begin to effect me that way. Looking back on my path to Jesus , God used good old ,rounded head Charlie Brown and Linus the preacher to begin my steps to belief.

But that is the power of the word of God. It is living and active because it is God breathed . Hebrews 4 : [12] For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart".  The Holy Spirit took that word and began a work .

That is why I'm so thankful in this day and age when children who have no exposer to the truth of Jesus have a mini sermon preached by a blanket carrying kid.  Hopefully one day I will sit with my grand kids and watch it and I will tell them my little story , pray with them and tuck them into bed . God is great is He not .

Circle of Life,Karma ....Yeah Right !

In the Lion king you heard this foolishness. How all things die and its natural and we have to let it go , realizing  its the circle of life .It has it roots in pantheism , all is one , all is "god" .

Let me say this as frank as possible . Take this horrible teaching and cast it in the fires of hell were it has been spawned from. Death is anything but natural . It is like an invader , a thief  , a violent raper of your soul . It takes , it devours and leaves you who are left living in pain .

Having read an blog entry from Denise Spenser , the wife of popular Christian blogger , Michael (also known as the Internet Monk) , I was moved by her candidness. No, he died well , going to be in the arms of Jesus , trite and clichéd stuff. She talked real. It was hard for her to watch her husband fight and waste away , dying just a few months after he was diagnosed with cancer.                              
He was a Christian , a pastor , a husband and father . So why did it have to be so hard , so full of pain? Real questions and honest ones.

I asked those same question when I watched my Mother perish thanks to cancer. Her last months were hard . They were not good and she fought so hard . It was through the cancer she came to trust in Christ as her Saviour but at the time that was of little help near the end. Looking back it is the world of difference but watching the horrors of cancer take its toll , your mind is clouded at the time.

When you watch someone you love dearly ,waste away fighting to live , how does the mantra or karma foolishness work for you ? Well don't be sad its just the grand circle of a cold, indifferent universe . She was nothing more than dust anyway , so be it . Or the more insidious teaching , its all karma . Really? So her suffering is the result of her living wrong and is purging her now , till she will come back as , a bug ,beetle or maybe a human to continue the quest for perfection? This hell spawned teaching will leave you deluded and if your honest , in despair.

Death is not normal. It is not the way its meant to be . We all have a feeling that broken fellowship is wrong.  A person taken away from the role of father,mother,son ,daughter ,husband,wife...etc  Death is an enemy .

Even though God and I had many debates,lets call them that , at the same time over time I began to hear His word . He told me , that the wages of sin is death(Romans 6:23). In Adam we all died , we all sin , no one is perfect . Mom was under that curse as well . He told me even though she came to Christ , Christians  are not immune from pain , from suffering. Read the Bible , who didn't go through some deep waters. Then Jesus words started to sing in my head .
    [25] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, [26] and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
(John 11:25-26 ESV)

Then hope began to replace the doubt,anger and frustration. Perhaps for the first time in my life as a believer , I understood what Paul said with more clarity and it drove home to me what Jesus has done.

    [20] But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. [23] But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:20-23 ESV)

Jesus took the sin that brings death , both physical and spiritual, on the cross ,so that all who repent and turn to Him will not perish but have eternal life. Death is an enemy and one that will be  destroyed . Although it still claims us , it has lost its sting and the grave has lost its victory. Jesus is risen .

When Jesus stood outside the tomb of his dear friend Lazarus , he wept . from the wording its clear it was not just a tear but deep grief and anguish in His soul . So when we are in storms of life , its alright to lament ,cry out in doubt,fear,frustration . Just read the Psalms.

So even though Jesus wept , He then cried out with aloud voice , Lazarus come out and what happened.He rose . That is our hope that even in death , we will rise. Jesus has paved the way. Our God is not some impersonal force or a aloft"god'. He took on flesh ,he hungered,he cried,he loved his friends and he suffered and died to break the curse of sin . He has risen , He has risen . May we cling to that hope and even though sometimes it feels like a spider thin web , in reality its the strong arms of God in Christ carrying us .

Sometimes People say the Dumbest Things !! For Those smart People!

OK I admit right up front , I should have stayed in school and became a teacher or something along those lines. I didn't and that is what it is . But have you ever heard from someone , well I worked hard in school finished my degree and therefore too bad , you make what you make . Oh really?

Well let me say straight up , good for you . Education is great but I have met just as many people without a degree who have as much smarts as some with a PhD. My grandfather was a very smart man . Could build anything . My Dad is one of the most generous men and forgiving men I have ever known  but only grade 8. I could name many more . My Mom was smart , funny and counseled  more people than any shrink .

My point is what if everyone got that degree. Say hypothetically every person right now wants to be only a engineer. That is everyone . No doctors,teachers,Computer Techs and also no one to pour your coffee , no clerks at your local store , no factory workers , no janitors etc.... what would happen ? The country would cme to a stand still . 

Obtaining an education is a good thing.But it is not a reason  for anyone to become smug about their accomplishments. Plus I have also encountered those who think that those who haven't obtained their level of education deserve whatever they get. I may be partial but my wife is a hair stylist and she worked hard to get her degree. She works hard and loves what she does , but many out there think she is over priced so they go the cheap and these people make a crap load of money. To them I say go stuff it. You like your wages , oh but I deserve it you say . Really , so the rest of us don't deserve to make enough to live .

Yes a Doctor should be paid well but why does a janitor toil hard at making his office clean and fit for you to visit not make a decent wage. I will tell you why? We are a greedy , money grabbing, selfish , self absorbed society . Sinful to the core. Oh we give to causes because its cool but if its the family down the street who are struggling to make ends meet , thats their problem. Pull up the bootstraps or well they didn't get an education , as you drive by in your new car on the way to your cottage. 

Do I sound angry . Yep! Am I frustrated because I cannot get a sniff, even at jobs I know I could do and learn because I don't have a paper . Plus  I simply cannot afford to go back to school right now .

Within the Church this type of thing does not have any place(read James 2). When we come together as one body in Christ there is no room for favorites or bragging. All we have we owe to God. Those God raises up He does so for His glory . We should be known for our generosity, one to another , and to our neighbor . If we have little may we be also content , realizing we are rich in Christ.  

Sometimes ....

I really don't put too much stock in dreams. By that in general I think dreams are just that ,dreams. I usually don't recall most of my dreams,which is probably a good thing.  However the one theme that I recall occurring the most is the end of the world . Even when I was a kid , especially as I hit my teen years , I would sometimes wonder about the world ending. I would think about a asteroid hitting the earth , nuclear war, biological . You name it , I covered them all .

Even the first book I read in my Gideons grade 5 New Testament was Revelation. Long before I believed in the truth of the gospel . So it is no surprise that even as an adult they still haunt my dreams.

The biggest difference as a Christian is you know there will be an ending . It will happen , it will occur . Even  those who doubt God's existence , live  in a delusion and suppress the reality that the world will have an ending even in their  belief system . The sun will basically go dead and all life on earth with it. All of mans accomplishments ultimately will mean nothing.

The ending for those who believe is the epic of all epics .

1 Thessalonians 4:16

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

The trumpet blast was often used to announce the coming of the king . So when God's trumpet sounds that signals the end and then begins with the return of the King of kings.Those who have trusted Christ for the forgiveness of sin will be gathered up , the dead will be raised and those who are still alive will be changed as well . Our bodies will be uncorrupted , we will be like Jesus . 

However the other news is not so good . Those who have rejected Christ and have lived open rebellion will be condemned to hell . Sobering thought. 

[14] Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. [15] And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. 

(Revelation 20:14-15 ESV)

Who can read these words and not be moved . The end of all history will happen . The question is for each of us , how do we then live and on what basis do we think we will be in a "better place"? 

Jesus in the Alpha and Omega , are we ready for that day ? Sometimes my dreams tell me I'm not . But I know my standing before a holy God is not based on my good works (which are scarred with sin) or the fact I'm  "good" person(sinner through and through) but on the perfect righteousness of Christ who died and rose again that I might be declared righteous .  That gives me peace .

So even though I still have those dreams , they have a different twist. So I say with John ,

[20] He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 

[21] The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. 

(Revelation 22:20-21 ESV)

No Better .....

I love watching movies . Good movies . Movies are a form of story telling , a visual form . From time began man has told stories . Every culture has stories . The fact we do is because  God has created man in His image and you cannot get a better story teller than God. Imagination is an extension of  the image bearer we are.

In the grand story we see 4 basic themes . Creation , fall , redemption and consummation. What is interesting that even within secular stories these type of themes often play out. We long for the good guys to win , to see evil pay and see a happy ending. Some of the biggest movies in cinematic history have a type of this narrative. Granted they are not explicitly Christian , but often this them is there. Often you have type of Christ figure . One who lays down his life that others might live.

I would argue only the Christian narrative lends itself these type of stories. Those are the types of movies that draw me to them . Nothing can replace the true story of God sending the Son to redeem us , fallen sinners but sometimes a great story can cause you to pause and think .

So without further ado these are some of my favorite moves.
Lord of the Rings - All 3 movies as one. No better. Its moving and is just film making at its finest.
Braveheart - Great epic story of one mans fight against tyranny . Freedom !!!
Tombstone- Amazing western with its gritty style . Tale of loyalty , friendship and redemption
Glory - Excellent tale of the first black battalion in the civil war. Make a grown man cry.
E.T -  Wonderful story of friendship and love. OK I cried ....give me a break . Tissue please.
True Grit- John Wayne is the Duke . Nuff said.
Ben-Hur - Heston in a Bibical epic. Whats not to like.
Jaws- Scared the pants off me. Hey I was only 12.
Planet of the Apes- The ending freaked me out .
Star Wars - Use the Force Luke.
Frankenstein - Boris Karloff is the man.
Chronicle of Narnia(The Lion,The Witch and The Wardrobe) - Great adaptation.
The Omen(1976)- One of the scariest movies I have ever seen  .
The Road - A story of love and sacrifice of a father and son. Dare you not to tear up.
Christmas Carol - Alistair Sims performance is amazing. You will laugh and cry.
Jeremiah Johnson- Rugged wilderness , beautiful scenery and great story.

I could list more but that is a sampling . Movies can be great . They can inspire ,make us laugh,cry ,cheer and scare us. But ultimately I love to hear that true story of Jesus and what He did for me . What a great story and what a marvelous ending it will be for all who repent and trust in Him , the grand storyteller.

Can You Hear It , See It

Today it was a beautiful day . So my oldest son , who is becoming a fine young man , took a drive. We went up and over the our so called mountain , more like a large hill . Then we headed for one of my favorite spots, Scotts Bay . Unlike its local cousin , Halls Harbor , it is not a tourist trap and therefore is much quieter.Although it is a provincial park , its doesn't get the attention or traffic . Halls Harbor has a wonderful restaurant , great lobster but I think over priced Fish and Chips (they are good) but it is often too busy during the summer. Living on the main street in New Minas , the busiest street in our area, I like to find places that are quiet.

In todays age of I-Pods , I-Phones,Cellular , text messaging etc... quiet is lost , noise is the norm. In our homes the TV is on , the kids have their MP3's , constant commotion. We have lost of art of being quiet , of being still .I can still recall walking back through trails and hearing birds sing, the wind play with the trees . The brook would move to a running sound like a symphony of strings instruments .You could hear the sounds around you .Not only the sounds but displays of colors . Wild flowers painting a picture , the sun dancing on water.

Often we are busy for no real reason , other than to be busy. It serves no point. In fact it can cloud our abilities to think about deeper things. Life,death,why are we here and what is the point of it all. When the mind is busy with the trivial , it cannot think.                                                                                                                        


Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God....  Today when I was at Scotts Bay , I paused and listened to the wind , heard the waves touch the shore , heard a sea gull and looked to see clouds paint the sky , the sun dance on the water and this passage of scripture came to mind. For a moment in the quiet I realized the majesty of God , His might and His love for his creation and mankind.  The world around us leaves no stone unturned to the reality of God who created all things .


Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.


God has not left us in the dark . He has placed a symphony of sights and sounds , we only cannot see our creator because we have committed cosmic treason . We love the sounds and sights of sin that darkens and blackens our minds . But God sent the Son . The light of the world.
John 12:46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 


May we stop and listen , look and realize God has come to save and in Christ we can see the world in a whole new way if we will once and a while be still . 

15 Minutes of Shame

It has been said that everyone wants to be noticed . The whole infamous 15 minutes of fame idea. Granted humans being human , we all want to be acknowledged in some fashion . A child looks for approval when he/she does something right. As adults its really no different . At work we like to hear well done over , what have you done. Its a fact.

However it seems human decency has long gone out the window or perhaps its never has been there in the first place. Talk shows are full of people willing to bare all , tell all and leave no stone unturned to get that 15 minutes of prime time. Tabloids at your local grocer are full of this stuff . People lap it up .But I would like to touch on just 2 recent absurd and disturbing events that have been reported.

The first is the tragic death of actor Gary Coleman. He came to fame during his time playing Arnold Jackson on Different Strokes. Gary suffered from a kidney disorder which stunted his growth . Which made him perfect for his role as Arnold. It was a funny show and it did deal with some pretty heavy issues for its day. It ran for 8 seasons. After the show Gary was unable to find consistent work and it has become clear his adoptive parents used his money and left him pretty much poor when he should have been well off . Now with his tragic death ,not only have they come out of the woodwork but his wife or not wife, depending on reports, are all fighting for attention . With his apparent wife allowing pictures to be taken of him hours before his death , when he was still on life support . For what , their 15 seconds of fame and trying to cash in on this tragedy.

The second is the tale of a woman willing eating over 12000 calories a day to become heavier in hopes of getting into the Guinness record books. Even though she has 2 small children ,suffers from type 2 diabetes and other help issues , she is willingly risking her health to try and achieve this record  for what purpose other than her 15 seconds of fame. When millions of children go to bed at night with bloated stomachs from nothing to eat , this is sickening. It is gluttony , plain and simple.

Why are they doing this ? I think it boils down to the very heart of the sin nature in all of us. We want it all,we want it now , we like the attention and the money that may come with it.Then as a society we have become a voyeuristic bunch of peeping toms , peering into the absurd and misery of others. We love ourselves , we want to be first in line .

What Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:2-4 ..."For people will be  lovers of self,  lovers of money, proud,  arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal,  not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless,  swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,.... Does this not describe the society we live in and in reality has always. God's word spoke this truth almost 2000 years ago . The fact today it seems more rampant is because of the access to information thanks to the TV and now the Internet.

May we as Christians remind ourselves that we are called to be servants who regard others above ourselves. That we are to show mercy,love and grace . Taking no delight in anothers misfortune or pursuit of sin.We serve a Lord who lowered Himself so that we might be redeemed . Our character should be marked with all the opposites that Paul listed and if they are not may we ask the Lord examine or hearts and uproot these sins.

For Gary I hope he had trusted in Jesus as his only hope so he may have peace now and for the woman in full blown pursuit of glory of self , I hope the Holy Spirit will convict of her sin and lead her to Christ the fountain of true contentment ,joy and peace.

What If ..Empty Question

I recall back in the day , Marvel put out a comic book called What If. The basic premise it would take a super hero and put them in scenarios within their universe that would be different than what comic fans would know in the time line they lived. One story featured Spider-Man and instead of Gwen Stacy dying she lived and then it took the timeline in a different direction. It was fun to read .

But who of us haven't thought about what if . We all have done or made decisions that we regret . Some worse than others . Typically we wonder what if we had of changed a decision or two. Would our lives have been better or not. Most times we think we would be better off . But perhaps things would be worse.

As a Christian we know God orchestrates all things for His purpose and glory. There are no what ifs or why did this happen . We may not understand the whole magnitude of  why certain things happen or even the reason we made sinful choices but ultimately God uses them . For some to draw sinners to Himself through a calamity , a sickness or  bringing to light a believers sin to call him or her back  , to repent and grow in grace.

The comfort to know that God is in full control gives us the freedom to have hope and peace. There are no accidents in the Lord's economy . No flukes,no cells out of place , no random atoms. Sometimes that is hard to grasp and at times hard to actually let it sink in , but the scriptures confirm it over and over.

Even the death of Jesus was not a cosmic accident . God the |Son , came to give His life as a ransom for many . His birth was foretold, His life predicted and His death and resurrection God ordained . All to bring about the glory of the Lord by saving a people for His purpose and delight.

So when life throws you a curve ball or worse and you face a life and death situation the grand truth is God has not abandoned you but is right there . It may still be fearful and confusing but this truth can bring about peace that surpasses all understanding amid the fire .

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’” (Isaiah 46:9-10)                                                                                                                                         


“Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. . . . We will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 115:3, 18)

That Surprising Book

x

x

x

1. 

You know the first time I really spent time in the Bible , it was all good till I got to one book that left my jaw drop open. As I read through this book , I was amazed at the language and the intensity of the language of love. It seemed at of place almost but at the same time now I realize it makes perfect sense.

The Song of Solomon has been the dissected through out the ages . Many so uncomfortable about its clear erotic inferences they adopted a allegorical interpretation , making it a refer to God and Israel or Jesus and the Church . But when I read it for the first time , the plan reading seemed to me clear. It was a bride and her bridegroom declaring their love and affection for each other.

There is an intensity in the language. Take this passage for example .
 71How beautiful are your feet in sandals,O noble daughter!Your rounded thighs are like jewels,the work of a master hand.

or how about this :
 I say I will climb the palm treeand lay hold of its fruit.Oh may your breasts be likeclusters of the vine,and the scent of your breath like apples,and your mouth like the best wine. Pretty intense stuff. I mean perhaps you can make it allegorical  but why do that ? In most cases the best way to deal with scripture is to let the word speak for itself. Yes there are different types of literature in the Bible. But the natural flow of this book is the expressions of love and desire happening between a man and women . The bride and the bridegroom showing love,desire and devotion . s of 
Contrary to so many God is not against sex , nor the enjoyment of it within the covenant of marriage.Sex is one of God's many gifts within marriage .In Hebrews the writer tells us , Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled.....
God is no kill joy and this letter is in holy script I think , to show that a husband andwife can delight in each other without guilt . One of the best ways that Satan wants to destroy all good gifts from God is to create deception or a wrong understanding of any of God's gift. One way is to have the world think the Bible is against sexualenjoyment but that is far from the truth. God created sex for intimacy and for the gift of children. 
The delight we see in this exchange between the bride and the bridegroom is a sweet exchange of the freedom and delight Christians can have within the bonds marriage.If you have been blessed with an incredible wife like I have been , take the time to lether know you delight in her . If you are a woman may you say the same thing the bride
calls out to her bridegroom.
14Make haste, my beloved,and be like a gazelleor a young stag             on the mountains of spices.
It is a beautiful book and one that still leaves my  jaw drop in a good way .