Any one who wants to learn to play a music instrument must put the time into learning the instrument. There really are no short cuts , no magic button to push to make one better. One must get to know the instrument intimately. Secondly one must put time into practicing. It can't be when one only feels like it but a dedicated time daily to set aside time and play,play,play. Not only will you get better but over time , handling the instrument will be second nature. You will be able to pick up the instrument with confidence and play . I know the more I set aside to practice my guitar , this is how it is.
This analogy may sound strange to apply to knowing your children but I think its true. As a parent there are no short cuts or instant mix to be a good parent. But one thing is absolutely needed , time spent with your children. When children first enter into ones life it can be a daunting task , a scary challenge. It totally upsets the relationship dynamic with your spouse at first because this tiny little baby needs your time,love and attention. But usually that levels out . Men if you want your wife to get back to herself , get your hands dirty. Help out , not just set on the sidelines.But I digress.
Here is the fact , quality time does not cut it . One will not really know their kids by run and gun parenting. Many people also lament TV,Computers etc... but at the same time what about having your kids into a thousand different things. I hold that a parent in these situations can easily become a spectator and glorified taxi driver. If you want to know your kids spend time with them from the beginning. As they grow older pay attention to what they like , involve yourself without being over bearing . Talk openly and honestly as well. Laugh with them and be with them.Hug them,love them and correct them. Plus be willing to show forgiveness and ask for it if you screw up and guess what , you will.
One thing that I have heard from grown men and women who had all the bells and whistles growing up that they would have traded all those things for their Dad to be there , physically for them . More and more that could be said of a Mom as well, with more and more women working in jobs that demand time away from home.
You cannot be a good parent without time and more time with your children . If God has blessed you with children through either biological or adopted , be prepared to give of yourself , that is the most important thing period.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
From the Mouths of Babes
It seems that Brad Pitt is rethinking his no marriage stand till gay marriage is legal because the children he has with Angeline Jolie want them to marry. Which is funny considering all one hears today marriage is a dying institution . People say we don't need a piece of paper or get married to show our love. But the children from one of the most famous couples want them to marry.
The fact of the matter marriage , being a God ordained relationship is the bedrock foundation of a stable family, community and country. For children it shows a commitment far beyond just living together or shacking up. Kids even know that by pledging a vow and entering into a marriage , the bond and seriousness of that relationship goes well beyond just being together. It communicates a bond and security that children need. Study after study has shown children thrive in a real committed marriage relationship.It gives a safe place to thrive and grow .
Yes many will say what about the marriages that end? Yes that is tragic and society pays a steep price for the failure of those relationships but that does not negate the truth that marriage between a man and woman is the design God intended for the safe and stable nurturing of children. Marriage is still an institution that is true not because of itself , but because God is the one who established it.
So when children know and sense it is right for their parents to marry , it should tell us something,should it not.
Verse Of The Day : [4] Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
The fact of the matter marriage , being a God ordained relationship is the bedrock foundation of a stable family, community and country. For children it shows a commitment far beyond just living together or shacking up. Kids even know that by pledging a vow and entering into a marriage , the bond and seriousness of that relationship goes well beyond just being together. It communicates a bond and security that children need. Study after study has shown children thrive in a real committed marriage relationship.It gives a safe place to thrive and grow .
Yes many will say what about the marriages that end? Yes that is tragic and society pays a steep price for the failure of those relationships but that does not negate the truth that marriage between a man and woman is the design God intended for the safe and stable nurturing of children. Marriage is still an institution that is true not because of itself , but because God is the one who established it.
So when children know and sense it is right for their parents to marry , it should tell us something,should it not.
Verse Of The Day : [4] Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
(Hebrews 13:4 ESV)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Quote Sunday
"If people believe in God at all today, the overwhelming majority hold that this God – however he, she, or it may be understood – is a loving being. But that is what makes the task of the Christian witness so daunting. For this widely disseminated belief in the love of God is set with increasing frequency in some matrix other than biblical theology. The result is that when informed Christians talk about the love of God, they mean something very different from what is meant in the surrounding culture. D.A Carson
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Filled With Thankfulness
As this hymn reminds us , we are to be thankful in Christ. For it is only in Christ we have assurance of one who will not leave us , nor forsake us. Life can be so uncertain full of the unknown but to be hidden in Christ is a blessing beyond measure .
Verse Of The Day : [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
(Philippians 4:6 ESV)
Catechism Friday
86. Q. Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace alone through Christ, without any merit of our own, why must we yet do good works?
A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His Holy Spirit to be His image, so that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful to God for His benefits,[1] and He may be praised by us.[2] Further, that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by its fruits,[3] and that by our godly walk of life we may win our neighbours for Christ.[4]
[1] Rom. 6:13; 12:1, 2; I Pet. 2:5-10. [2] Matt. 5:16; I Cor. 6:19, 20. [3] Matt. 7:17, 18; Gal. 5:22-24; II Pet. 1:10,11. [4] Matt. 5:14-16; Rom. 14:17-19; I Pet. 2:12; 3:1, 2.
87. Q. Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their ungrateful and impenitent walk of life?
A. By no means. Scripture says that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, greedy person, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like shall inherit the kingdom of God.[1]
88 Q. What is the true repentance or conversion of man?
A. It is the dying of the old nature and the coming to life of the new.[1]
89. Q. What is the dying of the old nature?
A. It is to grieve with heartfelt sorrow that we have offended God by our sin, and more and more to hate it and flee from it.[1]
90. Q. What is the coming to life of the new nature?
A. It is a heartfelt joy in God through Christ,[1] and a love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works.[2]
91. Q. But what are good works?
A. Only those which are done out of true faith,[1] in accordance with the law of God,[2] and to His glory,[3] and not those based on our own opinion or on precepts of men.[4]
[1] Joh. 15:5; Rom. 14:23; Heb. 11:6. [2] Lev. 18:4; I Sam. 15:22; Eph. 2:10. [3] I Cor. 10:31. [4] Deut. 12:32; Is. 29:13; Ezek. 20:18, 19; Matt. 15:7-9.
92. Q. What is the law of the LORD?
A. God spoke all these words, saying: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 1. You shall have no other gods before Me. 2. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, 2. or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, 2. or that is in the earth beneath, 2. or that is in the water under the earth; 2. you shall not bow down to them or serve them; 2. for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, 2. visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children 2. to the third and fourth generation 2. of those who hate Me, 2. but showing steadfast love to thousands of those 2. who love Me and keep My commandments. 3. You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God 3. in vain; 3. for the LORD will not hold him guiltless 3. who takes His Name in vain. 4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 4. Six days you shall labour, and do all your work; 4. but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your 4. God; 4. in it you shall not do any work, 4. you, or your son, or your daughter, 4. your manservant, or your maidservant, 4. or your cattle, 4. or the sojourner who is within your gates; 4. for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, 4. the sea, and all that is in them, 4. and rested the seventh day; 4. therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day 4. and hallowed it. 5. Honour your father and your mother, 5. that your days may be long 5. in the land which the LORD your God gives you. 6. You shall not kill. 7. You shall not commit adultery. 8. You shall not steal. 9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. 10. you shall not covet your neighbour's house; 10. you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, 10. or his manservant, or his maidservant, 10. or his ox, or his ass, 10. or anything that is your neighbour's.[1]
[1] Ex. 20:1-17; Deut. 5:6-21.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A Few Thoughts
So no rapture happened and it seems that Mr.Camping in all his unrepentant gall , has stated he was off and it will still happen in October. It has been well commented on by numerous blogs by Christian Pastors that have said it far better than I could,so I will not say much.
But the one thing I do know , Jesus promised He will return and on that day all will cry out , He is Lord and King. For those who have repented and believed , trusted in Jesus for the forgiveness sin , are covered by His blood shed on the cross , justified by Him through the resurrection , it will be a day of joy and happiness as we exalt Him with our cries . However , for those who rejected Him, denied Him and died in their sins , the cry will be one of admission of judgement , that He is the Lord and rightfully they will be condemned to hell forever .
So there is a date set for us all , it will be either in death or when Christ comes . Camping was right about one thing only , a final day of judgement is coming , the sad thing for Camping , the Jesus he see's is not the coming Lord but one of his own speculation and that is truly sad.
Verse Of The Day : [14] They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
(Revelation 17:14 ESV)
But the one thing I do know , Jesus promised He will return and on that day all will cry out , He is Lord and King. For those who have repented and believed , trusted in Jesus for the forgiveness sin , are covered by His blood shed on the cross , justified by Him through the resurrection , it will be a day of joy and happiness as we exalt Him with our cries . However , for those who rejected Him, denied Him and died in their sins , the cry will be one of admission of judgement , that He is the Lord and rightfully they will be condemned to hell forever .
So there is a date set for us all , it will be either in death or when Christ comes . Camping was right about one thing only , a final day of judgement is coming , the sad thing for Camping , the Jesus he see's is not the coming Lord but one of his own speculation and that is truly sad.
Verse Of The Day : [14] They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
(Revelation 17:14 ESV)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Everymans Dream
I still recall watching this movie with my cousin Greg at the Paramount Theater in Kentville. It was one of those movies that transcended the screen and the crowd became part of the story. Every guy sitting in there cheered Rocky on . The lug of a loser , down on his luck but given that one chance to prove he was so more. Who cannot identify with that . One of all time favs.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Quote Sunday
I thought it would be interesting on Sunday's to feature a quote from the week that jumped out to me and stuck in my mind. They could come from books,movies,music or whatever source I may be reading, watching or listening to.They may be short or long and cover a number of topics. So here we go.
"If doctrine doesn’t matter, then truth doesn’t matter… -R.C.Sproul
"If doctrine doesn’t matter, then truth doesn’t matter… -R.C.Sproul
Saturday, May 21, 2011
God Of My Everything
Is God really the God of your everything? Do we leave God out or push certain segments of our lives to the side and say that is for us. When Jesus calls us to come and follow Him , it is a call to die to self. That is not that we loose our personality or who we are but we give preeminence to Christ and obeying Him . From money to sex , to music to TV , all things we do need to be under God's influence.
Verse Of The Day : [17] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:17 ESV)
Friday, May 20, 2011
Catechism Friday
Heidelberg Catechism (1576 A.D.)
86. Q. Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace alone through Christ, without any merit of our own, why must we yet do good works?
A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His Holy Spirit to be His image, so that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful to God for His benefits,[1] and He may be praised by us.[2] Further, that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by its fruits,[3] and that by our godly walk of life we may win our neighbours for Christ.[4]
[1] Rom. 6:13; 12:1, 2; I Pet. 2:5-10. [2] Matt. 5:16; I Cor. 6:19, 20. [3] Matt. 7:17, 18; Gal. 5:22-24; II Pet. 1:10,11. [4] Matt. 5:14-16; Rom. 14:17-19; I Pet. 2:12; 3:1, 2.
87. Q. Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their ungrateful and impenitent walk of life?
A. By no means. Scripture says that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, greedy person, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like shall inherit the kingdom of God.[1]
88 Q. What is the true repentance or conversion of man?
A. It is the dying of the old nature and the coming to life of the new.[1]
89. Q. What is the dying of the old nature?
A. It is to grieve with heartfelt sorrow that we have offended God by our sin, and more and more to hate it and flee from it.[1]
90. Q. What is the coming to life of the new nature?
A. It is a heartfelt joy in God through Christ,[1] and a love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works.[2]
91. Q. But what are good works?
A. Only those which are done out of true faith,[1] in accordance with the law of God,[2] and to His glory,[3] and not those based on our own opinion or on precepts of men.[4]
[1] Joh. 15:5; Rom. 14:23; Heb. 11:6. [2] Lev. 18:4; I Sam. 15:22; Eph. 2:10. [3] I Cor. 10:31. [4] Deut. 12:32; Is. 29:13; Ezek. 20:18, 19; Matt. 15:7-9.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Bags Packed and Ticket Punched
So are you ready for May 21st , 2011 ? I sure hope you have all your affairs in order because according to one Harold Camping , Christian broadcaster and founder of Family Radio, Jesus will be coming back to rapture Christians , well about 200 million . Those who follow Camping for sure. How he even came up with his numbers are a headache to try and figure out , let alone how he came up with the date. Then 5 months later on Oct 21st , God will destroy the whole world . Of course he predicted that on Sept 6 , 1994 that Jesus was coming back and guess what , he said he made a mistake. Really .
What is frustrating is that what this false teacher has done is give the enemies of Jesus plenty fodder to mock the faith and once the 22nd arrives , many who have given up everything trusting in this deluded mans predictions , may become skeptical or disillusioned .
Well you may say how do you know he is not right? Well simply put , the Bible says he is wrong. Now granted Jesus could come again on the 21st, He will come again , but if he does it will because it is time .
The fact is Jesus said that only the Father knows when that day will be. Even the Son was given that information.Jesus told the disciple that just as the lightning flashes , so will be the coming of the son of man . It will be like a thief in the night . We simply have not been given the time or date. We have been told there will be wars,natural disasters and these are hinted at they will increase but that is all we are given. We are told to be aware and ready , to be about making disciples and trust the Lord will come.
In 2nd Peter chapter 3 , Peter talks of scoffers will come who will make fun of the coming of the Lord again. This is going to be the result of Campings deluded prediction. What we must do is trust in the promise of Jesus Christ and it is not for us to know the deep mysteries of God. He is God , we are not . So if someone uses Campings predictions to mock the truth of the Bible and the gospel , answer with a what the Bible clearly teaches about the return of Jesus.
So what will I be doing this Saturday , May 21st , well getting some groceries , since I will need food . Then I will do some reading , at sometime my in-laws will be up for a visit. Then on Sunday I will go to Church and worship our awesome God.
Verse Of The Day : [ 3] knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. [4] They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
(2 Peter 3:3-4 ESV)
One of my Favorite Artist of All Time
John Denver was always one of my favorite artist. Back when I collected tons of music , mostly of the heavy rock variety like Led Zeppelin,Kiss etc.. But there he was John Denver . A wonderful songwriter and as my wife will tell you , when I'm in a reflective mood or just want to feel good, out comes the John. So enjoy .
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A Tale of 2 Stories
You have heard you can't have your cake and eat it too. As a Bible believing Christian ( is there any other kind) sometimes I don't agree with some of the endorsements that our Government promote be it local, provincial or federal. However sense we live in a free world and I totally hold to having a free exchange of ideas and open debates , I say bring it . The truth has no fear of debate.
So when our local governments decide to have a Gay pride event or endorse a march by having the mayor or local politician visibly be there or fly a flag , I may not agree but it is their right.
So when a mayor decided to declare a right to life day , the daggers that came out from the left and womens groups were nasty. The cries and howls stated he was abusing his power by endorsing the pro life position and therefore misusing his office as a elected official.But here is the deal , if a town or mayor can fly a flag that symbolizes Gay pride and the lifestyle it represents, then a Mayor who is pro life has the right to publicly throw his support for a cause he believes in.
Granted Christians have spoke out against the endorsement of gay marriage or the GLADD days and that is fine , for it is a free country. That is the point. If you are going to force a view point by flying a flag or declaring its gay pride week and have elected officials speak for it etc.. then a Christian most have the right to do the very same thing .
But this world hates God's truth so it was not a surprise to see the double standard . I'm glad this man had the courage to stand firm. May we have the courage as well to stand against this evil of abortion , no matter the threats that may be hurled at us.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Things I loved as a Kid
Comics are making a bit of a comeback as of late. Propelled by the success of numerous big screen movies over the last decade , interest is rising.
I grew up loving comics.Something I have commented on before. There was a whole Friday night ritual . It was so cool getting home and sitting down with my pepsi or coke and a bag of chips and enter Gotham or Asgard etc.. and just enjoy the adventures of some of my favorite heroes. The funny thing is , my collection probably had over 10000 thousand dollars in value today. But one cannot cry over comics.The value to me really is irrelevant. They were fun to read . Now I have started to collect some of my favorite titles again and the cool thing is , they are being reproduced so they are affordable for those like me , who jut want to enjoy reading them again. My favorite era is from about mid 60's to the late 80's . I don't really care too much for the "new" ones. They are too grown up if you get my drift.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
A Scary Prayer
[23] Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
[24] And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)
Last week I went into to get blood work . This week I will go to the doctor and get the results . The reason one gets regular blood work and checkups , often something that is physically off cannot be felt or detected without someone examining the inner workings . You leave this in the hands of professionals . You hope your doctor can listen to your heart,lungs and know if something is off. The same for the lab techs who have been trained to use their training to see what your blood reveals.
With ones spiritual life , the same can be said. Often we go through the motions. Reading our Bible , doing basic prayer , attend Church , listen to the sermon , go to small group and think , things are all good. But sometimes we are so close we cannot see if there is something off with our lives.
The Psalmist ask God to search him,to check out his heart .To check his spiritual blood pressure if you will and see if something is off. This type of prayer is both healthy to seek and dangerous. Healthy because we need times of reflection and by asking God to reveal our sins that we are either hiding or in denial , will lead us to repentance . Plus its dangerous because we may have things revealed to us that may be hard to see and we may not like what is revealed.
So if sins are opened before your eyes , deal with honestly and confess them to the Lord . Trust in the finished work of Christ and believe the promise that God will lead you in the everlasting way.
Too much self examination is not healthy but as this portion of Psalm 139 reveals , a proper Biblical taking stock is not a bad thing. Trust God to do His work , you will not be left wanting.
Try me and know my thoughts!
[24] And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)
Last week I went into to get blood work . This week I will go to the doctor and get the results . The reason one gets regular blood work and checkups , often something that is physically off cannot be felt or detected without someone examining the inner workings . You leave this in the hands of professionals . You hope your doctor can listen to your heart,lungs and know if something is off. The same for the lab techs who have been trained to use their training to see what your blood reveals.
With ones spiritual life , the same can be said. Often we go through the motions. Reading our Bible , doing basic prayer , attend Church , listen to the sermon , go to small group and think , things are all good. But sometimes we are so close we cannot see if there is something off with our lives.
The Psalmist ask God to search him,to check out his heart .To check his spiritual blood pressure if you will and see if something is off. This type of prayer is both healthy to seek and dangerous. Healthy because we need times of reflection and by asking God to reveal our sins that we are either hiding or in denial , will lead us to repentance . Plus its dangerous because we may have things revealed to us that may be hard to see and we may not like what is revealed.
So if sins are opened before your eyes , deal with honestly and confess them to the Lord . Trust in the finished work of Christ and believe the promise that God will lead you in the everlasting way.
Too much self examination is not healthy but as this portion of Psalm 139 reveals , a proper Biblical taking stock is not a bad thing. Trust God to do His work , you will not be left wanting.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Clinging to the Cross
Is this not our only hope , the cross of Christ. At the cross my sin was paid . Through the resurrection I'm raised with Christ , justified .
Verse Of The Day : [18] For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV)
Catechism Friday
Heidelberg Catechism (1576 A.D.)
One day late , but as they have batter late than never.
79. Q. Why then does Christ call the bread His body and the cup His blood, or the new covenant in His blood, and why does Paul speak of a participation in the body and blood of Christ?
A. Christ speaks in this way for a good reason: He wants to teach us by His supper that as bread and wine sustain us in this temporal life, so His crucified body and shed blood are true food and drink for our souls to eternal life.[1] But, even more important, He wants to assure us by this visible sign and pledge, first, that through the working of the Holy Spirit we share in His true body and blood as surely as we receive with our mouth these holy signs in remembrance of Him,[2] and, second, that all His suffering and obedience are as certainly ours as if we personally had suffered and paid for our sins.[3]
80. Q. What difference is there between the Lord's supper and the papal mass?
A. The Lord's supper testifies to us, first, that we have complete forgiveness of all our sins through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which He Himself accomplished on the cross once for all;[1] and, second, that through the Holy Spirit we are grafted into Christ,[2] who with His true body is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father,[3] and this is where He wants to be worshipped.[4] But the mass teaches, first, that the living and the dead do not have forgiveness of sins through the suffering of Christ unless He is still offered for them daily by the priests; and, second, that Christ is bodily present in the form of bread and wine, and there is to be worshipped. Therefore the mass is basically nothing but a denial of the one sacrifice and suffering of Jesus Christ, and an accursed idolatry.
[1] Matt. 26:28; John 19:30; Heb. 7:27; 9:12, 25, 26; 10:10-18. [2] I Cor. 6:17; 10:16, 17. [3] Joh. 20:17; Acts 7:55, 56; Heb. 1:3; 8:1. [4] John 4:21-24; Phil. 3:20; Col. 3:1; I Thess. 1:10.
81. Q. Who are to come to the table of the Lord?
A. Those who are truly displeased with themselves because of their sins and yet trust that these are forgiven them and that their remaining weakness is covered by the suffering and death of Christ, and who also desire more and more to strengthen their faith and amend their life. But hypocrites and those who do not repent eat and drink judgment upon themselves.[1]
[1] I Cor. 10:19-22; 11:26-32.
82. Q. Are those also to be admitted to the Lord's supper who by their confession and life show that they are unbelieving and ungodly?
A. No, for then the covenant of God would be profaned and His wrath kindled against the whole congregation.[1] Therefore, according to the command of Christ and His apostles, the Christian church is duty-bound to exclude such persons by the keys of the kingdom of heaven, until they amend their lives.
83. Q. What are the keys of the kingdom of heaven?
A. The preaching of the holy gospel and church discipline. By these two the kingdom of heaven is opened to believers and closed to unbelievers.[1]
[1] Matt. 16:19; John 20:21-23.
84. Q. How is the kingdom of heaven opened and closed by the preaching of the gospel?
A. According to the command of Christ, the kingdom of heaven is opened when it is proclaimed and publicly testified to each and every believer that God has really forgiven all their sins for the sake of Christ's merits, as often as they by true faith accept the promise of the gospel. The kingdom of heaven is closed when it is proclaimed and testified to all unbelievers and hypocrites that the wrath of God and eternal condemnation rest on them as long as they do not repent. According to this testimony of the gospel, God will judge both in this life and in the life to come.[1]
85. Q. How is the kingdom of heaven closed and opened by church discipline?
A. According to the command of Christ, people who call themselves Christians but show themselves to be unchristian in doctrine or life are first repeatedly admonished in a brotherly manner. If they do not give up their errors or wickedness, they are reported to the church, that is, to the elders. If they do not heed also their admonitions, they are forbidden the use of the sacraments, and they are excluded by the elders from the Christian congregation, and by God Himself from the kingdom of Christ.[1] They are again received as members of Christ and of the church when they promise and show real amendment.[2]
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sometimes You Need To Hear This Word ,Forgiven
[Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God]
[TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID, WHEN NATHAN THE PROPHET WENT TO HIM, AFTER HE HAD GONE IN TO BATHSHEBA.]
[51:1] Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
[2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
[3] For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
[4] Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
[5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
[6] Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
[7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
[8] Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
[9] Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
[11] Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
[12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
[13] Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
[14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
[15] O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
[16] For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
[17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
[18] Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
[19] then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
This Psalm has been rattling around in my head today . So the song truly fits. Sometimes I long to hear the word forgiven. RC Sproul has said that even though the practice of confessing to a Priest and having him absolve your sins , saying your forgiven is not biblical at all , to hear someone say after confessing your sins , your forgiven , are sweet words to hear. But as he also pointed out , we can hear those words when we confess our sins to our Lord and recall these words , [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9 ESV) May we not confess when we sin , and trust in His grace to renew us ,change us and purify us. He is a all sufficient Saviour .
That Dirty Word
If you want to say a dirty word in Church to get a rise our of many people or to get a small group to look at you in shock and horror that your mouth could utter such a word , I have one for you. Are you ready for it , hope your sitting down , doctrine. OK I said it ,are you turning red yet?
In all seriousness if you mention the importance of and need of sound doctrine , some people look at you as if you have two heads. I have heard it divides , not unites , it leads to arrogance and is cold . That its not practical. Plus the these two classics , all we need is just Jesus and the Bible.The first Christians didn't line up to study or know doctrine.
The basic definition of doctrine - a : something that is taught b : a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief. Merriam-Webster
In reality doctrine is a basic core of beliefs that is taught. Once one assents to be a Christian , in the normal pattern of growth will enter into reading and studying the Bible,attending Church to hear preaching , join a small group and whether they realize it or not , begin to learn doctrine. Doctrine is the anchor that gives a believer strength to walk in this world and defend the gospel .
Those who say all they need is Jesus , ignore the very aspect of what Jesus calls us to be and do. We are to embrace His truth , that truth is the word of God. In the word it reveals who God is , what He has done and is doing . To open the word is to engage in doctrine, To say that teaching doctrine is not present in the Bible is to ignore what God has said . In fact Paul even makes the ability of teaching sound doctrine as a absolute task of the pastor(read through the Pastoral Epistles).
It is true that doctrine became clear and systematized once the canon of scripture was closed and established.
Once the Holy Spirit finished His task of inspiring the men called to be used to give us God's word , then once the canon was established , it would naturally lead to doctrines to be established and taught. Doctrine is the life blood of a healthy church and a healthy Christian .
Doctrine at its very core is knowing God . In knowing Him should not leave one cold or create division (false teaching does that) but anchor your soul when deception comes your way and give you peace when storms assail you. So don't be afraid of that dirty word but find some good books that will help you grow in God's word and your faith.
Recommended Books : Knowing God -J.I Packer , The Christian Life -Sinclair Ferguson , Essentials of the Christian Faith - RC Sproul
Verse Of The Day : [2:1] But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
(Titus 2:1 ESV)
In all seriousness if you mention the importance of and need of sound doctrine , some people look at you as if you have two heads. I have heard it divides , not unites , it leads to arrogance and is cold . That its not practical. Plus the these two classics , all we need is just Jesus and the Bible.The first Christians didn't line up to study or know doctrine.
The basic definition of doctrine - a : something that is taught b : a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief. Merriam-Webster
In reality doctrine is a basic core of beliefs that is taught. Once one assents to be a Christian , in the normal pattern of growth will enter into reading and studying the Bible,attending Church to hear preaching , join a small group and whether they realize it or not , begin to learn doctrine. Doctrine is the anchor that gives a believer strength to walk in this world and defend the gospel .
Those who say all they need is Jesus , ignore the very aspect of what Jesus calls us to be and do. We are to embrace His truth , that truth is the word of God. In the word it reveals who God is , what He has done and is doing . To open the word is to engage in doctrine, To say that teaching doctrine is not present in the Bible is to ignore what God has said . In fact Paul even makes the ability of teaching sound doctrine as a absolute task of the pastor(read through the Pastoral Epistles).
It is true that doctrine became clear and systematized once the canon of scripture was closed and established.
Once the Holy Spirit finished His task of inspiring the men called to be used to give us God's word , then once the canon was established , it would naturally lead to doctrines to be established and taught. Doctrine is the life blood of a healthy church and a healthy Christian .
Doctrine at its very core is knowing God . In knowing Him should not leave one cold or create division (false teaching does that) but anchor your soul when deception comes your way and give you peace when storms assail you. So don't be afraid of that dirty word but find some good books that will help you grow in God's word and your faith.
Recommended Books : Knowing God -J.I Packer , The Christian Life -Sinclair Ferguson , Essentials of the Christian Faith - RC Sproul
Verse Of The Day : [2:1] But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
(Titus 2:1 ESV)
Monday, May 9, 2011
Things I loved as a Kid
They say the older you get the more of a kid you become. I don't buy into that(although my wife may disagree).For me it is a looking back at fond memories of growing up. Things I loved . We only had 2 channels and so TV was not a main stay like it is now (which I think was a good thing) . So being a comic lover , when the Amazing Spider-Man cartoon came on , it was a must see. We only had a black and white TV , with big clunky knobs but who cared, its was Spidey. Swinging into save the day.No swearing,no sex,good guy against bad guys and it was fun. Cool stuff.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
There is a Fountain
Verse Of The Day : [9] Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. [10] For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. [11] More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
(Romans 5:9-11 ESV)
Friday, May 6, 2011
Catechism Friday
Heidelberg Catechism (1576 A.D.)
74. Q. Should infants, too, be baptized?
Yes. Infants as well as adults belong to God's covenant and congregation.[1] Through Christ's blood the redemption from sin and the Holy Spirit, who works faith, are promised to them no less than to adults.[2] Therefore, by baptism, as sign of the covenant, they must be grafted into the Christian church and distinguished from the children of unbelievers.[3] This was done in the old covenant by circumcision,[4] in place of which baptism was instituted in the new covenant.[5]
[1] Gen. 17:7; Matt. 19:14. [2] Ps. 22:11; Is. 44:1-3; Acts 2:38, 39; 16:31. [3] Acts 10:47; I Cor. 7:14. [4] Gen. 17:9-14. [5] Col. 2: 11-13.
75. Q. How does the Lord's Supper signify and seal to you that you share in Christ's one sacrifice on the cross and in all His gifts?
A. In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat of this broken bread and drink of this cup in remembrance of Him. With this command He gave these promises:[1] First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup given to me, so surely was His body offered for me and His blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the minister and taste with my mouth the bread and the cup of the Lord as sure signs of Christ's body and blood, so surely does He Himself nourish and refresh my soul to everlasting life with His crucified body and shed blood.
76. Q. What does it mean to eat the crucified body of Christ and to drink His shed blood?
A. First, to accept with a believing heart all the suffering and the death of Christ, and so receive forgiveness of sins and life eternal.[1] Second, to be united more and more to His sacred body through the Holy Spirit, who lives both in Christ and in us.[2] Therefore, although Christ is in heaven[3] and we are on earth, yet we are flesh of His flesh and bone of His bones,[4] and we forever live and are governed by one Spirit, as the members of our body are by one soul.[5]
[1] John 6:35, 40, 50-54. [2] John 6:55, 56; I Cor. 12:13. [3] Acts 1:9-11; 3:21; I Cor. 11:26; Col. 3:1. [4] I Cor. 6:15, 17; Eph. 5:29, 30; I John 4:13. [5] John 6:56-58; 15:1-6; Eph. 4:15, 16; I John 3:24.
77. Q. Where has Christ promised that He will nourish and refresh believers with His body and blood as surely as they eat of this broken bread and drink of this cup?
A. In the institution of the Lord's supper: The Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes (I Corinthians 11:23-26). This promise is repeated by Paul where he says: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread (I Corinthians 10:16, 17).
78. Q. Are then the bread and wine changed into the real body and blood of Christ?
A. No. Just as the water of baptism is not changed into the blood of Christ and is not the washing away of sins itself but is simply God's sign and pledge,[1] so also the bread in the Lord's supper does not become the body of Christ itself,[2] although it is called Christ's body[3] in keeping with the nature and usage of sacraments.[4]
[1] Eph. 5:26; Tit. 3:5. [2] Matt. 26:26-29. [3] I Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:26-28. [4] Gen. 17:10, 11; Ex. 12:11, 13; I Cor. 10:3, 4; I Pet. 3:21.
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