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.

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)

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.

[1] Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19, 20; I Cor. 11:23-25.

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.

Its a Hard Road But The Joy That Awaits

If you follow me its going to be a hard road. It will have many trials and persecutions. Your family and friends will forsake you , disown and even hand you over to possible jail or death.The world will hate you and despise you because of me. The message you will share will be considered foolish and offensive. You will be mocked , made fun of and ridiculed. The message will be called intolerant and judgmental . When I call you to follow , it is not just a walk down a aisle or say a little prayer but to come pick up your cross and follow. It is to die to self.

You  will made aware of the evil and sinfulness of your heart . This battle will not be easy because because of being born anew , your heart will be made aware of inward sin,the world and the Devil's schemes . Before you lived , walking according to the will of the sinful nature but now because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit , this war against sin will be at times intense and not pleasant . But this is what it means to follow me , to come to me.

You also heard of the wrath of God against sinners , that hell awaits all who oppose the Lord who have not repented and trusted in me shall perish. 

 

Sound like something you would sign up for and agree with ? The truth is this is what Jesus called his followers with .As did the Apostles when they proclaimed the gospel . There is a reason its a narrow road . 

Sound different then the easy come to Jesus and find purpose ,meaning,happiness. How about the famous God's has a plan for your life and its great. The reason people soft sale the message of the gospel is they don't trust in the amazing , irresistible grace of God. 

Soft never soft sale the truth of what Jesus calls us to . Yes it comes with a hard road but the sweet rewards and blessings of communion with the triune God is beyond measure . 

Verse Of The Day  :   [14] For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

(Matthew 7:14 ESV)

Looking to the Wrong King

We all long for a wise and good king to lead us . Sure in the democracy we have vote for the leader but no matter what party one supports , we hope that they will lead and govern well. It is a good thing to serve in this capacity .It is a noble and honorable calling. Plus as Paul reminds us in Romans 13 , they are placed in thier position of power ultimately by God. We are to pray for them and obey , as long as it does not violate God's laws . Plus we are to seek to live peaceable with all , if possible.

However we often want our leaders to be more than they can ever be. They in the end are only men who are sinners , trying to do their best in a broken and fallen world. Ever sense Adam and Eve were removed the garden of eden because of their sin , man has tried to find a way to create that paradise again. It never takes too much prodding to get people who really don't have any real belief system to admit , the world is truly messed up.From starvation,to illness, violence, it does not take a brain to know the world is not right.

So man is striving to get back to Eden on ones own efforts but the problem is this , we are sinners. From the core of our being the most noblest man is still not able to get us back to paradise. As Luther said even the saints best works are still mingled with sin . Christians in there zeal at times want to force the world into submission During the crusades it was by the sword and today it is the ballot box. Now I'm not saying don't vote according to a Christian world view but bottom line,we should never think it lead to the outcome we want.

The only way to return to paradise is through the true King of Kings. The one who left His throne to come in the flesh , lived in complete obedience to the Father , laid down His life on the cross and was raised for on the third day . Then He ascended to heaven and will return in glory. In Jesus we find the one we truly need .

So no matter who rules  or wins , may we always keep our hopes in check. God gave us rulers to maintain order but they can only do so much in this fallen ,sinful world. However there is a time coming when Jesus comes to reign and in Him we will have a kingdom that will be what we long for . Its coming , the question is are you ready?

Verse Of The Day  :  [6] For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
(Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV)

Monday Misc

Some Quick Thoughts : 

Bin Laden Dead - After a covert strike , Bin laden has been killed.Many Christian blogs have written with more eloquence than I could ever dream of but for what its worth , I will not fail to get to sleep tonight because he is dead. He pursued a life of evil , fueled by hatred and no regard for women or children. Jesus said all who live by the sword will die by the sword. So it has been fulfilled. He showed no remorse,no repentance and hid behind his wealth and the common people. We may not take delight in the death of the wicked as a Christian but at the same time God does allow the government to wield its sword for justice and I think its been done.

Canada's Election - Its too early to call a majority for the Conservatives , but they will at least hold. In my riding the incumbent Liberal held the seat but with a much slimmer margin of victory. I think he is useless and would make a good snake oil salesmen. From all the normal everyday people I talked to , they wondered if he still lives in the riding. He is invisible. The Conservative candidate was someone I have known for 20 years. Some people can't stand him but I figure I'm in good company for many don't like me. But what is sickening , I know this man could sit down with my Dad ,just a simple man , and have a beer or coffee. Not Mr slick. Young people probably drove the win. I'm sorry but  the youth today remind me of the hippies of the 60's , clueless. Next time I will help campaign for a conservative win. 

Hockey Refereeing - This year it has been the worst I have ever witnessed . Inconsistent and very weak as far as I can see. It must be great to have a job that you can be indecisive and incompetent and still have a job.Need to get me one of those.

The Last Word - I'm thankful in all my grumpiness at times , my struggles with sin and knowing my heart , its want to wander , that in Christ I'm hidden . It will never be my effort , my works or my ability that secures me , but my faith alone in an all sufficient  Saviour . To God alone be the glory. 

Verse Of The Day  :  [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 6:23 ESV)

Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus

How do you react to bad news? How do you respond to others who come to you with bad news ? If we are holding onto this life ,clinging to our worldly possessions , to "our" things or status , then how we react will be typically measured by our affections. Our love or grasping on this life will make us angry at bad news and useless to give hope to those who have encountered bad news. 

You have heard it said that if you are too heavenly minded ,you are no earthly good. But I don't think that is true at all. If you read through history , those who have made the greatest differences on earth , are the ones who were deep in heavenly minded things. They sought the things of God first. But the Christian life is not to be lived by removing ourselves from the world , but by entering into it and serving our fellow brothers and sisters, our friends ,our neighbors .

What happens when we fix our eyes on Jesus first ? We let go of the hold this world has on us , therefore our lives should reflect that fact. This is only our temporary home. We are pilgrims , looking to our heavenly home which is where our true resident lies. So when troubling news comes , we know that these trials and affliction are but for a short time. Even when facing death , we know our lives are hidden in Christ. Through the risen Lord , we have hope beyond this life . That should energize us to fear no man ,nor anything. If the watching world sees this and how we react , friends and family that are not believers ,will see something different.

So when a friend comes to you seeking comfort or a neighbor , you will reflect the hope and life that Jesus Christ has given you through the Holy Spirit . You answers will reflect that hope , that truth and that love that lives within you. It is indeed a supernatural love, a peace . So look heaven ward and fix your gaze away from this earth and then you will realize you will be even more earthly good to all who need to hear the hope of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Verse Of The Day :   [3:1] If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. [3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God(Colossians 3:1-3 ESV)