Friday, March 11, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Odds and Ends and Around the Bend
Hells Bells - Rob Bell one the hip,cool emergent types of "new" pastors who like dialog, has caused a stir with a book about hell or what appears to be the lack of hell. I tried to read a bit of his stuff a while back and he really turned me off with some of his statements.In Velvet Jesus he more or less makes the virgin birth out to be optional and that pretty much made my mind up about this guys teaching. The gospel he expounds is not biblical period. The sad news is in this post modern , your truth is your truth not mine , it has invaded the Church. Is he a heretic ? If it quakes like a duck and acts like a duck , do the math. If he isn't one ,then at the very least he is in need of correction.
The Sheen is gone - Unless one is living under a rock ,the meltdown of Charlie Sheen ,one of the top paid TV actors for the hit comedy Two and a Half Men , has been everywhere. He has been seen and speaking or should I say ranting to the media. His behavior is one of a man out of control and full of his own ego .As one article commented he is only acting out his world view. I'am my own "god". I'm my own law , I'm bigger than you all. Is that not a fulfilling of what Paul says in Romans 1 , giving the rejecter of God over to ones own lust and depravity. Sheen needs the gospel , just like you and I . We are not different than Sheen , when we were in a state of unbelief . Pray for him instead of laughing at him . Truly sad.
Going ,Going Gone - A former place of employment is closing . Even though I did not leave on very good terms , I did have many a good time before it went sour. It was the best job I ever had in some ways and the worst at the same time. It was a music store , so with all the downloading and change in the industry over the last 10 years it is not surprising. Some charge illegal downloading is the main culprit but numerous studies have shown that in general people who torrent the most , buy more music than those who don't. Plus last year a study showed the 10 most torrented movies were all box office giants and sold well when released on DVD. So that is too simplistic. I have my theories that I may share sometime. But that will be another time.When I was between 12 and 20 , I loved going each week to the local record store to see what new albums where out. Cool times , different times and good memories.
Horton's Magnum Opus - Started to read through Michael Horton's Systematic Theology and it reads really well. I find his style of writing very engaging and clear.Looking forward to sections concerning creation,justification and last things. Now only 980 pages to go . No problem.
Verse Of The Day : [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 1:20 ESV)
The Sheen is gone - Unless one is living under a rock ,the meltdown of Charlie Sheen ,one of the top paid TV actors for the hit comedy Two and a Half Men , has been everywhere. He has been seen and speaking or should I say ranting to the media. His behavior is one of a man out of control and full of his own ego .As one article commented he is only acting out his world view. I'am my own "god". I'm my own law , I'm bigger than you all. Is that not a fulfilling of what Paul says in Romans 1 , giving the rejecter of God over to ones own lust and depravity. Sheen needs the gospel , just like you and I . We are not different than Sheen , when we were in a state of unbelief . Pray for him instead of laughing at him . Truly sad.
Going ,Going Gone - A former place of employment is closing . Even though I did not leave on very good terms , I did have many a good time before it went sour. It was the best job I ever had in some ways and the worst at the same time. It was a music store , so with all the downloading and change in the industry over the last 10 years it is not surprising. Some charge illegal downloading is the main culprit but numerous studies have shown that in general people who torrent the most , buy more music than those who don't. Plus last year a study showed the 10 most torrented movies were all box office giants and sold well when released on DVD. So that is too simplistic. I have my theories that I may share sometime. But that will be another time.When I was between 12 and 20 , I loved going each week to the local record store to see what new albums where out. Cool times , different times and good memories.
Horton's Magnum Opus - Started to read through Michael Horton's Systematic Theology and it reads really well. I find his style of writing very engaging and clear.Looking forward to sections concerning creation,justification and last things. Now only 980 pages to go . No problem.
Verse Of The Day : [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 1:20 ESV)
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
We All Need A Sam
Are there not days or times in ones life that you are totally broken,worn and weary . This world is a not an easy place to live. Even in the west , people can and do feel the sting of disease ,death and poverty. Homelessness is on the rise , foodbanks and being used like never before and life can seem to spin out of control. Even a Christian is not immune . That is why we all need a Sam in our lives .To correct us , to encourage and carry you when you simply cannot seem to muster the strength to go on.
One of the blessings of a good marriage is your spouse can be your "Sam".I will say I have a "Sam" in my life and for that I'm truly thankful.
Verse Of The Day : [2] Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
(Galatians 6:2 ESV)
Monday, March 7, 2011
This Made Me Laugh and Remember
This video has gone viral. I can see why,its hilarious. Children are such a gift. With my boys now becoming men , I look back and cherish those times when they were little. Time moves so fast it seems ,one minute your rocking them and making them laugh doing stupid little things like tearing paper to make them laugh, the next they are moving on and making their way in the world. I'm very proud of the men my son's are growing into and thank God for the blessing they have been in our lives.
Verse Of The Day : [16] But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. [17] Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
(Luke 18:16-17 ESV)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
No Fluke
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
(Genesis 1:1 ESV)
When you rise in the morning , go through your day and lay down to sleep at night , do you just pause for a second that the air you breathed , the wind you felt and the beauty of the earth is no fluke . The whole universe is not a cosmic joke , accident or a random thing that just happened. You are not a walking ,evolved piece of walking tissue with no purpose or reason for being.
God created all we see. God created man in His image . God gave us life . We owe Him all. May we mediate on these truths . To understand more , may we pick up and read His word . May we read His story for it never gets old.
Verse Of The Day : O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
(Psalm 8:9 ESV)
(Genesis 1:1 ESV)
When you rise in the morning , go through your day and lay down to sleep at night , do you just pause for a second that the air you breathed , the wind you felt and the beauty of the earth is no fluke . The whole universe is not a cosmic joke , accident or a random thing that just happened. You are not a walking ,evolved piece of walking tissue with no purpose or reason for being.
God created all we see. God created man in His image . God gave us life . We owe Him all. May we mediate on these truths . To understand more , may we pick up and read His word . May we read His story for it never gets old.
Verse Of The Day : O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
(Psalm 8:9 ESV)
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Prepare The Heart for Worship
Hope this helps prepare your heart and mind for worship .
Verse Of The Day : [2] Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
(Psalm 29:2 ESV)
Friday, March 4, 2011
Catechism Friday
Yesterday I touched on the need for Pastors to defend and out heretics or faulty theology. Perhaps within Baptist circles ( I speak of general Baptist not our Reformed Baptist brethren who actually make teaching real theology a priority ) if we would use Catechisms to teach , the Bell's of the world would have a harder time in deceiving. So lets continue our pilgrimage into some solid teaching.
Heidelberg Catechism (1576 A.D.)
25. Q. Since there is only one God,[1] why do you speak of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
A. Because God has so revealed Himself in His Word[2] that these three distinct persons are the one, true, eternal God.
[1] Deut. 6:4; Is. 44:6; 45:5; I Cor. 8:4, 6. [2] Gen. 1:2, 3; Is. 61:1; 63:8-10; Matt. 3:16, 17; 28:18, 19; Luke 4:18;John 14:26; 15:26; II Cor. 13:14; Gal. 4:6; Tit. 3:5, 6. God the Father and Our Creation
26. Q. What do you believe when you say: I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and all that is in them,[1] and who still upholds and governs them by His eternal counsel and providence,[2] is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father.[3] In Him I trust so completely as to have no doubt that He will provide me with all things necessary for body and soul,[4] and will also turn to my good whatever adversity He sends me in this life of sorrow.[5] He is able to do so as almighty God,[6] and willing also as a faithful Father.[7]
[1] Gen. 1 and 2; Ex. 20:11; Job 38 and 39; Ps. 33:6; Is. 44:24; Acts 4:24; 14:15. [2] Ps. 104:27-30; Matt. 6:30;10:29; Eph. 1:11. [3] John 1:12, 13; Rom. 8:15, 16; Gal. 4:4-7; Eph. 1:5. [4] Ps. 55:22; Matt. 6:25, 26; Luke 12:22-31. [5] Rom. 8:28. [6] Gen. 18:14; Rom. 8:31-39. [7] Matt. 6:32, 33; 7:9-11.
27. Q. What do you understand by the providence of God?
A. God's providence is His almighty and ever present power,[1] whereby, as with His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth and all creatures,[2] and so governs them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty,[3] indeed, all things, come not by chance[4] but by His fatherly hand.[5]
[1] Jer. 23:23, 24; Acts 17:24-28. [2] Heb. 1:3. [3] Jer. 5:24; Acts 14:15-17; John 9:3; Prov. 22:2. [4] Prov. 16:33. [5] Matt. 10:29.
28. Q. What does it benefit us to know that God has created all things and still upholds them by His providence?
A. We can be patient in adversity,[1] thankful in prosperity,[2] and with a view to the future we can have a firm confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature shall separate us from His love;[3] for all creatures are so completely in His hand that without His will they cannot so much as move.[4]
[1] Job. 1:21, 22; Ps. 39:10; James 1:3. [2] Deut. 8:10; I Thess. 5:18. [3] Ps. 55:22; Rom. 5:3-5; 8:38, 39. [4] Job 1:12; 2:6; Prov. 21:1; Acts 17:24-28.
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