Keith and Kristyn Getty - Still My Soul

Something to prepare your heart for worship. Do we not need to be still and let the Lord minister to our souls.

A World Gone Mad

OK this one really gets my heart a pumping. Recently in France a woman was arrested for killing her newborns . It appears she murdered 8 , smothering them shortly after birth and then buried the bodies in her garden. The defense attorney is arguing she has birth denial . Sure and I'm a leprechaun with a pot of gold. I do grant that there are severe mental illness that can cause someone to do horrific things but really . One child perhaps , but 8 crates a pattern . Plus there is apparently no clear evidence of mental illness.

But my point is not  to get into the whole argument being vetted by her attorney .  As horrific as this crime is , if this woman had decided to terminate these pregnancies in a clinic , nothing would be said or done. In France abortions are available freely up to 12 weeks . After this it has to be shown that the mother would face physical distress or mental distress(whatever that is) , or the baby would be born in a condition that would challenge its viability. It must be signed by 2 doctors . However the drug RU-486 that causes a miscarriage , is widely used . So this woman who is no dummy had access to terminate these babies with the states consent.

The fact she chose not to , but took matters into her on hands makes her guilty of murder.But what changed about these little ones DNA that makes it murder only after they are out of the womb . Nothing . Society is a sick twisted , messed up reality. That a baby can be violently murdered in a womb but can't once he or she is out of the uterus and vaginal cavity ,to be blunt is, the height of world gone mad. 

What this woman did was wrong . It was murder no matter what her attorney tries to plead . But as far as I see it , there is no difference in what this woman did to those 8 little ones , to what Doctors do each and everyday in a clinic of death.  

Worth The Time

 This year has been a very slow year for good music . Be it secular or christian . Unless your into Lady Gaga . Guess what , I'm not . Surprised I can tell.

But finally a new recording has been released that has really caught my ear. It is by Matthew Smith called Watch the Rising Day . He has released a few CD's now under his own name .He was part of a group called Indelible Grace. They took old hymns and renewed them with contemporary sounding arrangements . Think of folk/rock in the vain of Springsteen, without the pop side.

With Watch the Rising Day he continues this excellent track record. Taking old forgotten hymns and rearranging them , adding some of his own lyrics when needed to either fill out the song or enhance the verses. But he never changes the meaning. In picking the songs to do , one thing that sets these songs apart from much of new christian songs out there , they are Christ centered and gospel affirming.

One of my favorite songs is The War . Talking about the real struggle we have has a believer after conversion. The lyrics are poignant and blunt . Not making light of the fact we do struggle with sin. The idea that we are at war with the flesh , the world and the Devil. But it is one of triumph , pointing to Christ as our victor .

Another tune Goodnight ,sung form the perspective of a dying saint, is a sad song in some ways. It does not diminish the fact of loss but at the same time it builds towards a triumphant crescendo . It is very moving and powerfully reminds us that death does not have the final say .It is the Lord Jesus Christ who has conquered , in Him we are secure.

I could go on, but needless to say ,this will be a CD that will be spending time in my player. It is so refreshing to hear these old unknown hymns brought back to life . Matthew Smith has done another great job .
Plus I love the picture , cool.

9 guitar picks out of 10.

Nice Evening

The heavens declare His glory

Short little post tonight. My wife and I went  to Long Beach Road, armed with my camera in hopes to get some sunset shots. However the clouds decided to play spoiler for the most part. No big deal. The weather was still awesome and God's creation was wonderful.

Plus it is always a delight and pleasure to spend time with my wife. I don't get couples who hardly spend anytime together . Its almost like they really don't want to be married. The whole idea of the covenant of marriage ,  established by God, was to be one flesh . The word of God is full of how we are to treat our spouses and to boil it down to a phrase , we are to delight in each other.

That means emotionally, spiritually and physically. I make no bones about it , I love spending time with my wife. The time we spend with each other is a blessing. Even if its just sitting in the same room .

It was a fun little date . God is good.

Looking Away

You know you have seen them. Those TV adverts featuring images you wish you could forget. But who can? children rummaging through garbage,without a family , malnourished and suffering from diseases even the poorest children in the west have long forgotten about .  But we often look away. Even though our heart breaks for them , we turn the channel and eat our supper . In reality if the heart was truly impacted , we would act.

[27] Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction......    James 1:27

True religion before God shows a deep concern for orphans and widows but more importantly , action. We need to act,to do something . Women and children are the ones who suffer the most in times of war,famine . They are marginalized in so many areas of the world. So what good is our faith if we sit silently by and do nothing. 

My wife and I have sponsored a little girl now for about 2 years. Why we did not do it years ago , I just ask for forgiveness in my slowness to respond. Since we have entered this little girls world, we have received a couple of letters , pictures and it has been a real blessing. To know we are having a real impact not only on her life but her families well being is humbling and gratifying. 

It has been said before that if Christians understood how much we have been shown grace and love through Jesus Christ , to bring about our salvation then our hearts should overflow with love . To be overflowing with love in a biblical sense is always grounded with action. 

Next time when those commercials come on TV , pay attention . Take action and change a life . It has been a wonderful feeling to know not only is the little girl we sponsor  getting fed,educated, but that the gospel is being shared as well . She has been told about Jesus and that is worth a million. 

My Love List

After yesterdays bit of a grumble ,sorry, I thought it would be good to start Monday off on a more upbeat mood . So without further ado , here is a  list of things I love. 

Drum Roll Please ................

1. God -That He created such a amazing universe and His splendor revealed in holy trinity  . I love that the Father sent the Son to die for me . I love the Son that He willingly and perfectly submitted to the will of Father to become my righteousness , I love the Holy Spirit for His work of convicting the world of sin , awakening dead sinners to the glory of salvation and breathing out the words of God through men.

2.The Cross - That old rugged cross that stands with its nail holes and blood stained wood as a message of hope . That on that tree , my Saviour died that I might be forgiven and made new . 

3.The Empty Tomb - The fact is could not contain the Lord of life , proves that His death was not in vain and in His be raised , I'm justified because of it. That my future is not to nothingness or hell , but one of worshiping God forever.

4. The Bible - Open and marvel that in your hands , your eyes are gazing on the very word of God. The one who made the stars,the moon and the earth with all its incredible creatures. He  is the is speaking , listen to it for it testifies of Jesus , the way ,the truth ,the life.

5.The Church - It was blood bought by the Lamb . It is sanctified by Jesus blood and is the place where we get a foretaste of the final days , when all the saints of God will gather round his throne and cry out , Holy,Holy,Holy is the Lord God ,Almighty . It where my brothers and sisters meet to sing,praise and hear the word proclaimed. A place where we may pray for one another,encourage one another , love one another and even, rebuke in  love, so that one might not stray . 

6. My Wife - I have been blessed to have known her for almost 26 years. In that time we have grown in our love and commitment . She has been a encourager , best friend and a hero to me for watching her battle cancer with such grace. Her boldness in the Lord  has been a marvel to see . Plus for all her struggles , she has always been a great mother and wife . Truly God has shown me grace,  when He brought me you . 

7. My Sons - Children are a blessing from God . Having watched them grow into young men,it has been a privilege and honor. They have made me laugh,cry and given me such joy . I'm extremely proud of the men they are becoming and the qualities they are showing as they  enter that next stage. 

8. My Friends -  The ones that I have now , I know that I  can be honest and open with my struggles with sin,my faults . They will hold me accountable in love . They have renewed my faith in having a friend, and I pray that I can be there for them , through whatever trials come their way as well.

9. My Bro/Sis - Blood is thicker than water. We grew up , and yes I as the oldest was an awful tease , but I will always have their backs . We have all stood by each other , both good and bad. Till the end , no matter what.

10. My Mom and Dad - What can I say about my Mom . She has been gone almost 18 years now but her impact on me remains. She was out spoken,witty,smart,wise with counsel( I know I didn't listen well) caring,full of compassion and loved her children well. We indeed had are fights but at the end of the day , her love for me was always there . My Dad , what can I say . He has a exterior of a cowboy but the heart of a lamb. His generosity,love and compassion is something I have rarely witnessed. Plus his ability to suffer with the pain his has daily , he is the toughest man I know.

11. Family - The general family , or the ones that I call family . May not see eye to eye . but let an outsider try to talk trash and we have fighting words . No question. 

12. Music - I love music . It is God's gift to the soul . I love old hymns ,new hymns (the good ones) ,classic rock,some classical ,CCM (Steven Curtis Chapman,MercyMe Third Day etc...) a little country, a little blues . Love to mess around on guitar . 

13. Movies - I love pretty much every genre except for gross out comedies , dumb horror and romantic comedies. A few of my favs are LOTR , Braveheart ,Jaws,True Grit,Tombstone,Planet of the Apes,The Road ,ET,Glory ,The Lion,The Witch and the Wardrobe. 

14. Books - I enjoy reading . I always have . Mostly Theology and history now but a few just for the adventure of reading. Nothing like a great book that gets the brain and heart going.

15. Easter - I love the message of the resurrection. The cross and the empty tomb can bring me to tears . 

and last but not least........

16. Christmas - Growing up I had so many wonderful celebrations and that was before I even understood the message of the incarnation! The smell of the tree, the lights, lit up churches, the carols. The TV specials , Christmas Carol ,Little Drummer Boy ,The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and of course , A Charlie Brown Christmas . The food , the family and the gifts . Finally the  most important thing of all that God sent the Son , humbly,lowly ,to put on flesh and be our Lamb of God . The babe born to die , The cradle to the cross , to the empty tomb. Amazing. God is great indeeD.

It began with God and ends with Him as well . Fitting is it not. 

Sometimes Its Easier Said Than Done

One of the things that I have been trying to hammer into my boys heads as they have grown into young men , get your education . Pursue the things that you really enjoy and work hard to make them a possibility for a vocation.It has had various degrees of success. My heart for them is to find their niche , work hard at it and make an excellent salary.One thing before moving on , yes I want them to know the Lord ,trusting Jesus above all things, for what profits a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul. Now lets move on.

I didn't fulfill my education possibilities and will  live with that regret probably the rest of my life. Yes ,I have heard every cliched encouragement hallmark card out there. But for the most part of my life , it has been fear that held me back. Strange as that sounds but its true. But at the same time we shouldn't be surprised work will not be totally satisfying .

     [18] thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;
        and you shall eat the plants of the field.
     [19] By the sweat of your face
        you shall eat bread,
    till you return to the ground,
        for out of it you were taken;
    for you are dust,
        and to dust you shall return.”
 (Genesis 3:17-19 ESV)
 
After our first parents rebelled , one of the curses was that man shall not labor harmoniously anymore. We will toil till the day we die . Before the fall labor was enjoyable activity , full of productivity and fulfillment . This curse because of sin shows that the relationship has been fractured. That we now have to toil to feed,cloth and shelter our selves .

But lets be honest as well . Even those who have found the dream job , it will still be tiresome and a burden at times.Without it ,one would starve and be homeless. So even if one has a job they love , it will still not be like the garden . Plus lets face it , as we age what we could do at 20 is not what we can do at 60 . So the fall takes its toll even on your favorite vocation.

Very few end up in the job like this. For who says , when I was a little kid I dreamed about standing in this line ,day in day out doing  the same things , or pouring coffee for very little money , or cleaning toilets and picking up garbage , well you get the picture. Very few rise up in the morning , running out to the car with a song in their heart as they go to work. Even that is a part of the curse , the result of sin and the fallen creation.

But this is even redeemed in Christ . Work is a good thing . It serves your family,your community and the world, but ultimately it is service rendered to the Lord.

    [23] Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
(Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)

In our jobs , no matter what they may be , we are to do it as unto God. He is our ultimate master . Therefore the service we do is in a real way serving Jesus Christ.Bluntly speaking ,  this is a lot easier said than done when you are working at a job that is  not fulfilling your talents or is a toil . Yes it sounds great to go , this service regardless of how mundane serves my neighbor and the Lord , but in the real world often this is a struggle to fulfill. Even if we are redeemed , the old nature still lingers and in this arena for me at least , I truly struggle.

To covet another job or talent is wrong. But who has not caught themselves doing this. In the Lord's eyes all work has value , but in this fallen world it is hard . I have really struggles in this area. When I see a few going to a vocation they enjoy , that gives them pleasure , its hard for me to not get a bit on a pity parade. Then it turns to a deep melancholy , of why did I not pursue certain things in the past. Did I not have the courage or faith? Perhaps both.

In all my years ,only one task that I did ,was a labor of love  . That is it. Every job that I have had was a chore and to be bluntly honest , I hated going to on many days. I would pray that God would give me a bigger picture , but my old nature was at war. Going forward , I can't say what I will be doing will be something that will be something my heart will be into . All I want to do is maximize my earning potential and work for myself . I have had enough of the drama of others in the workforce .

That is why I have been stressing with my boys ,the need to stay in school , pay attention  to what you love and what your strengths are. Find your niche and work hard . Yes it will be toil, and some days will be tough , but if it is something you love and pays well, it is easier to fulfill what the word instructs. You may not agree , and that is your right , but even a  Christian can struggle with working as unto the Lord in the best of jobs , let alone the ones that are the worst.