thoughts of a MARRIED man

Murray on reconciliation

2011-05-01T13:56:00.001-07:00

"The essence of sin is to be against God and the liability of sin is no more adequately expressed than in the fact that God is, therefore, against us. The marvel of grace is that God removes this “against”. It is by and in “the reconciliation” that this is done. Hence no category is more basic to the gospel; it is essentially the message of the reconciliation (cf. II Cor. 5:18–20)."
- John Murray

owen on context

2010-11-14T20:32:00.001-08:00

"And so usually doth it fall out, very unhappily, with men who think they see some peculiar opinion or persuasion in some singular text of Scripture, and will not bring their interpretations of it unto the analogy of faith, whereby they might see how contrary to the whole design and current of the word in other places."

- John Owen, Hebrews

creating

2010-10-15T17:52:00.000-07:00

I have recently been caused to reflect on the particular means human beings reflect the likeness of our Creator: this being the very practice of creating. I have had the joy of being able to make things for around our home out of scraps from work. I've been amazed at my utter excitement about the next project and my (sometimes ridiculous) pride over what I have made.

However, it recently occurred to me that I have been ignoring the true beauty of me being able to create ridiculous little objects. The true beauty is that THE Creator created me with the ability and desire to create (in a much subordinate manner to His) and thereby having joy in the process by giving glory back to the Designer.

It goes without saying that the creating that we as finite beings do is vastly different from that of God - namely being that we create out of SOMETHING - recreating, if you will. Though our feeble attempts to bring about (re)creations from that which already has been, are trite and relatively inconsequential, they are apart of our privileged role and God-ordained task of imaging forth apart of who He is - THE Creating One.

We can create because He first created and because He breathed into man the breath of life, making man unique to the rest of His creation. I can only try to imagine the joy He feels to see His children, His beloved creations (and NEW creations) accurately and joyfully reflecting Him and likewise the pain to see the inverse.

May we glorify God in toiling in the toil that He has given us to toil in (creating Word documents, lasagna's, sermons, weed-free gardens, research papers), remembering that He gets the glory.

spurgeon on election

2010-10-04T08:36:00.000-07:00

“I believe in the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that if God had not chosen me I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure He chose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards; and He must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love.”

- Charles Spurgeon

a walk-in's perspective

2010-09-05T13:32:00.000-07:00

Since being at Redeemer Community Church, it has given me the opportunity to observe how it departs from my own concept of a "traditional service" format. These differences are not things that I would consider as MAJOR issues but no doubt the format, method, and structure of a church service affect the desired ends of that time spent together - thus placing it on a level not warranting neglect.

Change is something that is not easy and frankly, not always necessary, and definitely not comfortable for most congregations - especially when tradition or familiarity is compromised. However, with a barely-3-year-old church plant, nonessential traditions can be abandon, rethought, and restructured fairly easily.

Most of these things I am about to list are those which I noticed on the very first Sunday that we visited. I thought it might be healthy for some to hear a little different approach from a fellow orthodox, Bible-believing, evangelical church. I claim no originality on RCC's part. I only intend to mention observed characteristics.

1) Corporate Reading of Scripture (in Unison)

Depending on the Sunday, there may be one or two of these during the service with the passages on the screen to be read aloud by all. It's a joy to be able to read Scripture on a corporate level with the body - all in unison.

2) Time for Private Confession of Sin

After we sing one or two songs the congregation is given an opportunity to confess sin to the Lord. This is a helpful reminder of who we are worshipping and our own unholiness. Shameful how I can forget my sinfulness so easily...

3) Time after the Sermon for Contemplation and Prayer

This is just a few minutes where the congregation, before they interact with one another and forget what they just heard, are given the opportunity to reflect on the truth just presented and how it is applicable in their own life. I'm amazed at how helpful this is - to have everything stop briefly to ponder the truth just brought before me.

4) Programs are not the Primary or Typical Means to Facilitating Discipleship

Discipleship and speaking the Word to one another are no doubt emphasized but encouraged to take place by the member's own initiation with each other - not the elders organizing a meeting or program. People don't have the luxury of relying on a title or involvement in a program to say they are involved in "ministry." Programs are not evil. But like any type of structure, it can distract from the primary purpose.

These are just a few observations - not criticism of those who depart from this in any way.

That thou mayest seek thy all in Me

2010-08-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

Kim and I had the privilege of joining the local body in singing a most astounding hymn this last Sunday. "I Asked the Lord" is probably one of the oldest hymns still in circulation - I'm guessing - but I can't recall singing it on a previous occasion.I count it a privilege to have enjoyed it with God's people.

The Spirit used this rhythmic work of beauty to prick my soul and to remind my forgetful heart of how God works - above and beyond our level of knowledge and intellectual capacity. I am reminded of the folly of expecting sanctification - and life in general - to happen on my time-table and by the means I deem most appropriate.

"That thou mayest seek thy all in Me" is the answer that the Lord gives in the lyrics of the tune. Such is the desire of our loving Lord - that His children would run to no other source for satisfaction and fullfillment. May God continue to refine by means of the furnace as we trust in His unbending goodness, His ultimate sovereignty, and His never-failing ability to satisfy.

Read or listen (or both, both is good).

I Asked The Lord

1. I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face

2. Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair

3. I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He'd answer my request
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest

4. Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part

5. Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Cast out my feelings, laid me low

6. Lord why is this, I trembling cried
Wilt Thou pursue thy worm to death?
"Tis in this way" The Lord replied
"I answer prayer for grace and faith"

7. "These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou mayest seek thy all in me,
That thou mayest seek thy all in me."

Props to @luggnut for (though unintended) topic suggestion.

itl

2010-08-23T05:42:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying the reading of a couple of books before school begins (TODAY). One of these selected works has been one which I have heard a lot about but never taken the opportunity to experience -- that being C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters. It really is interesting to "listen-in" on the type of communication that could perhaps take place on a demonic level and I began to realize how easily we are distracted from the reason why we are on this earth - walking in obedience to His Word and proclaiming Christ until He returns.

Screwtape:
"The attitude which you want to guard against is that in which temporary affairs are treated primarily as material for obedience. Once you have made the World an end, and faith a means, you have almost won your man, and it makes very little difference what kind of worldly end he is pursuing. Provided that meetings, pamphlets, policies, movements, causes, and crusades, matter more to him than prayers and sacrament and charity, he is ours-- and the more "religious" (on those terms), the more securely ours."

Good things can so easily deter our eyes away from that which is the best and the reason for all those things.

from the mouth of a babe

2010-08-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

I quote from Augustine (recalling his infancy):

"I was angry that my elders did not submit themselves to me. I demanded service from those who owed me no service. And when they did not serve, I took revenge on them by tears."

Learn from the reflections of a wise man, parents - your babies are little pagans with selfish, sinful motives. Don't believe that they are innocent of evil intentions.

They want YOU to serve THEM. Silly kids, they can feed themselves.

Can't wait to have a couple more pagans in the house.

ITL

a novel idea

2010-08-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

"Thus far we had come together, and now some strange device, some inner urge, some strange thread grown into our beings was selecting us to move on westward. Selecting? Or was it we ourselves who chose? Never would I cease to wonder at why one man and not another."

Louis L'Amour, To The Far Blue Mountains

Indeed it is a baffling question my friend, Mr. L'Amour. To pagan and redeemed alike this is a troubling and dividing question yet one of great importance. If there were ever a question to be used as an example of how our theology affects our life, this is a perfect one. If all of one's decisions are the only thing that are guiding the course of their life and it is up to them to guide their life along a certain path - tis a scary thing. To fail to make the wisest decision could mean utter failure for their life.

BUT if God is He who has PREDETERMINED all things before the foundation of the world then neither are we the ones who receive the praise for a "successful" life nor for choices made that result in a good end.

As I was reading this novel (the first in a very long time), I found many such statements intriguing. I was not willing to believe that such musings were not also a reflection of the author's own thoughts on life. Indeed the question of will, whether God's or man's is superiorly efficacious, is no new question.

Such passages as Eph. 1:4 and 2 Thess. 2:12-14 are comforting to hear of God's predetermined, effective will by which he wrought salvation for our souls:

"In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will"

"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I am amazed more and more with each passing day that Kim and I are now on the other side of the country. God is and has ever been our only hope and comfort. I know that the same God who called me to salvation, despite the waywardly evil intentions of my heart, will not let me "mess up" my life. He has given His Word to give direction and we are to use wisdom to make God-honoring decisions. I pray I have done so.

So how am I going to live? How is this going affect how I make decisions? First, I must never believe the lie that I have enough power to screw up God's plan. Though the present, at times, may look grim and unpleasant I must trust that it is "God who works in [me], both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). Though moving across the country, leaving friends, ministry, and family behind, seems nigh outrageous and perhaps rash (to some) but through prayer and much reflection on what I am called to, such has been my decision. I will trust that "when all others fail to finish what they propose, [God's] purpose remains unchanged." (Augustine). He is doing a good work and we must cling tightly to Him.

Second, I must ever praise Christ for the work that He is doing though the reason for our present condition may never be clear to me. It is not my place to know the secret councils of the Most High but to live in obedience to His Word and trust Him for each passing day. We are excited to be apart of His work and must ever strive to be faithful to Him.

Third and final, we must never fail to be committed to our clear callings: to each other as spouses and that which Christ established before He left earth: the Church. The body we are now apart of (soon to be official "members" of), Redeemer Community Church, is so thankful that God has brought us to their be apart of their fellowship. We can be sure that though all other organizations and programs outside of the Church are a question mark, the Church is where it's at. May God give us much opportunity and the ability to be conduits of His grace among them.

Marketing the Master

2009-05-28T07:46:00.001-07:00

“We always try to connect to the energy and events of our time,” said Erica Archambault, Levi’s director of brand marketing and public relations. “What’s the pioneering spirit of today? A lot of people are rallying around marriage equality and fighting for that and so many individuals within our company feel so strongly about it.”

Doesn't this sound strangely and uncomfortably like things we hear said concerning matters within the church? It is actually an excerpt from an article that is talking about the Levi's brand of clothing's support of the gay rights movement (which is no new thing for them). They have displayed their support by adopting the donning of a white ribbon on their manikins in their storefront displays. It is said to be reminiscent of the "knot-tying" that takes place in the context of a marriage (although what they are supporting is NOT marriage).

While it comes as no surprise that Levi's would support this, it is disconcerting that the popular way of calling sinners to salvation these days, sounds very similar (because it is more like calling customers to a product). If the "seekers" are seen as customers shopping for the "best thing" then why wouldn't we try to make our product as marketable as possible? Why SHOULDN'T we support gay marriage if it appeals to a crowd that we can reach for Jesus? If faith is a product and the "customer" can associate with the marketing company by means of a certain issue, why not be pragmatic for the sake of the gospel?

Along these lines, I have recently been digging into a book written by David Wells entitled "The Courage to be Protestant." In it he critiques the current state of Christianity in churches across America. In a section specifically addressing those he labels "Marketers," or those who are always experimenting with new ways to "sell" Christianity, he comments, "However innocent are the intentions, the form is actually affecting the content in this experiment. The methodology is transforming the faith that is being sold. That is what we need to see."

SO, if the form is wrong what exactly is wrong with it? In identifying the root of the problem Wells points out that this strategy of making Christianity "marketable" and attractive is actually a vain pursuit seeing as it denies a foundational tenet of Christianity: original sin. Marketing to a dead audience who has completely godless, unregenerate desires are only going to want that which caters to those desires - thus requiring the marketing of a different PRODUCT. Christianity does not sell. God saves through His offensive gospel. Disguising Christianity to make it attractive to the world only confuses and deceives as to what it actually is - it doesn't help anything. It's harmful.

I'll close with one final (extended) quote from Wells on the topic.

"There is a yearning in the evangelical world today. We encounter it everywhere. It is a yearning for what is real. Sales pitches, marketed faith, the gospel as a commodity, people as customers, God as just a prop to my inner life, the glitz and sizzle, Disneyland on the loose in our churches - all of it is skin deep and often downright wrong. It is not making serious disciples. It cannot make serious disciples. It brims with success, but it is empty, shallow, and indeed unpardonable.

It is time to reach back into the Word of God, as we have not done in a generation, and find again a serious faith for our undoubtedly serious times. It is now time to close the door on this disastrous experiment in retailing faith, to do so politely but nevertheless firmly. It is time to move on. It is time to become Protestant once again."

Thoughts on a Hymn

2007-10-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

On Friday of last week, I particularly enjoyed the set of worship songs we sang in chapel. One of these blessed anthems was "How Great Thou Art." The third verse of this great hymn moved me most out of the four verses as it took my mind and heart back to the cross and that blessed yet incomprehensible work of redemption. It reads:

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

The hymnist demonstrates his own struggle with receiving into the limits of his mental capacity this sacrificial, redemptive act of love on both the part of the Father and the Son. He brings to light these foundational spiritual truths with a pleasant poetic form yet theologically clear outline. I was reminded of passages such as Isaiah 53:5 and 10 where Isaiah speaks of Christ being crushed for our iniquities and of God being pleased in the crushing of His Son.

Some questions that were provoked in my mind -
Why did he not spare His blameless, perfectly righteous Son from paying the debt of wretched sinners? Why was both the Son glad to bear the burden and the Father willing to put Him to the task? Why would one so holy die for those so inexpressibly sinful to the very core? Who am I to forget this work that gives me life in Him?

All this to say, I am so thankful (1) for Christ's counter-intuitive yet glorious work on the cross and His rising from the dead on my behalf, (2) faithful men and women who wrote hymns such as this that so beautifully bring together poetic language and rich theology, and (3) finally for the precious opportunity that is so often overlooked to worship corporately with the body of Christ!

I leave you with one thought. How quick are you to receive the redemptive work of Christ on the cross? Is it as much a marvel to you as it was to this author?

Fidelity in Fullness

2007-10-02T22:32:00.000-07:00

While reading material concerning the book of Jeremiah in a commentary by Hobart E. Freeman (required for my Old Testament Survey class) I came across a thought-provoking quote that arrested my attention. It first reminded me of the clear command of God for pastors and those delivering His truth to communicate His Word accurately and completely. Secondly, it brought thankfulness to my heart for the few faithful men who have stayed true to this and are unashamed in their sin-revealing, Christ-exalting, and yet still love-indwelt preaching.

Freeman writes:
"God then admonishes Jeremiah saying, 'Speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at them, lest I dismay thee before them' (Jeremiah 1:17). The prophet is solemnly charged to remain steadfast in the face of all opposition to his message and to proclaim faithfully all that God has commanded him to speak. It is sometimes a temptation for a man to proclaim only as much of God's Word as the people will receive without rejecting him and his ministry. But God warns Jeremiah in advance that any failure to proclaim faithfully His whole counsel will result in judgment upon the messenger as well as the people. If he fears the consequences of faithful preaching, then he will face a severer judgment at the hands of the Lord. Fidelity to the Word of God is not merely preaching carefully selected themes in order to please the hearers, nor following some liturgy; it is the proclamation of the whole counsel of God, the threats as well as the promises, the judgments as well as the blessings, the rebukes as well as the condolences, at whatever the personal cost. As it is treason for an ambassador to suppress those elements of his commission that are harsh and severe in order to spare himself unpleasant experiences, so much more treasonous is it for the messenger of the Lord who, through fear, cowardliness and desire for peace at any price, neglects to proclaim all that God has spoken."

Opportunities in Everyday Life

2007-09-28T10:37:00.000-07:00

The Lord has been so faithful and has been providing encouragement at every turn. When I walk outside I see Him in the chirping of the birds, in the mist descending from the clouds (I get excited for rain in CA!), and in the majesty of the sunshine, casting it's rays on the earth below. When I meet meet people who are evidently in love with Christ I see the gospel gleaming through and when I those evidently in need of the gospel I feel the Holy Spirit's prompting to respond by sharing the hope I have. And finally, in my classes (even in Critical Thinking and Problem Solving) and just at college in general, I see the potential for gaining wisdom and understanding from the professors and others I meet in order to more thoughtfully live a life honoring to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I just want to briefly share what is going on in my life and the Lord has been working. He has been providing so many good opportunities such as being able to work with a man named Bryan Kirby at both the college (as apart of chapel media, that being my work study) and at the church (assisting him with sound one week a month). He has also been gracious enough to meet with me regularly to and take me out to dinner.

I have also been able to meet with Micah once a week, which has provided a great opportunity to actually talk and go beyond just how our homework is going. I am also excited about small groups with some of the guys on my wing. The Bible study we attend, Generations (named for its "generations" of people represented, young, old and all in between), has been a great chance to meet people and grow alongside them.

I greatly need and appreciate all who are praying for me and if you are reading this I most likely am praying for you as well. Prayer and the unity the church is given in Christ is a wonderful gift from God one REALLY discover being separated from one's home church. I hope you take time to thank God for the ministry God has given you and are content with where he has placed you. Praise Him!

Risen to New Life

2007-09-27T01:24:00.001-07:00

Isn't it grace amazing?! That a holy and sinless God would save such worthless and utterly sinful men, simply leaves one speechless. Yet, even in view of this amazing demonstration of undeserved love and mercy, believers continually bow down before other gods such as self, others' opinions (of those who can only kill the body and are as enduring as the grass of the field), wealth, and the list goes on.

As I have been reading the book of Isaiah, both for school (Old Testament Survey II) and in my devotions, many passages have been coming to my attention concerning the foolish idolatry and harlotry of the children of Israel. I discovered that I was ignorantly leaving them at merely observations and not points of application. A few passages specifically starting sticking out to me that provoked me to question, "Is this a picture of me and my heart as well?" and "Does God think the same of my sin?"

God Himself makes so many arguments within the book for trusting Him and forsaking the ridiculous idols that the sons of Israel were chasing . He desires that His people follow His law yet they so abhorrently run to other gods and fail to remember or care about their testimony before the other nations and how that reflects on God. Two major sins stuck out to me that I want to address just briefly.

The first sin that stuck out to me, that the Lord confronted Israel with and most definitely characterizes my life, is the fear and regard or honor of man (2:22 and 51:12-13). God so clearly abhors His precious children regarding man's opinion and considering his ability as something to be feared. God makes His case that He created them and there is NONE like Him! How so foolishly I daily act in such ways as to please or give regard to men's opinions to the level that should only be of God's.

The second sin that the Holy Spirit convicted me of was that of running to other gods and in the process ignoring the compassion and love that He is ready to pour out on us! In chapter 48 verses 18-19 so clearly communicates that God longs for us to walk in righteousness and has provided His Word to guide us! Both Psalm 81 and Isaiah 30:18 declare that the Lord is waiting to bless and have compassion on His people if they would but seek Him with their hearts and turn toward His statutes. I am daily guilty this ridiculous ignoring of His goodness and blessing by turning to temporarily satisfying sin.

I know this post may seem shock both by its presence and size, considering my current blog history but I hope this at least prompted some thoughts of your own or reminded you of some truths or areas of weakness in your life.

P.S. The young man has risen to new life after nearly a year of cyber-unconsciousness.

Yikes! At the '06 Steak Out!

2006-08-23T22:15:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a more threatening, cold look? I look like I could kill someone. I have absolutely no clue what I was thinking but I think I was ready for my steak. At least Nathaniel was in a good mood.

what a passion!

2006-08-04T23:14:00.000-07:00

As I was reading yesterday in I Samuel I came across Davids encounter with Goliath. The thing that struck me most was not only David's displaying of extreme courage but the motivation that brought about the courage. David says in I Samuel 17:26 "For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the LIVING GOD?"(emphasis added). David was deeply and genuinely concerned for the glory of God. He had a passion to see His name lifted up and he wasn't going to let a nine-cubit-tall pooh-head defame his great God by taunting His armies. This shows David's pure heart as we see that he didn't do it for the possibility of fame and glory for himself but rather he was concerned for the upholding of God's holy name. If only we could have such a bold and genuine passion for the glory of God that we would be willing to face whatever the odds may be. I, at times, can be so sheepish and faith-lacking as to hesitate whether to speak of Jesus' name in public let alone speak of what he has done.

I just listened to a sermon the other day by John Piper (in the Light and Heat series) in which he explains that the situation described in 1 Peter 3:15 (to give account for the hope that is in us) perhaps is not even something we run into because it can appear that we are hoping in the exact same things that the world is. If we would only be like David and live with an evident love for God and passion to see Him high and lifted up. We are to be unlike the world and not love the things of this world as 1 John 2:15-17 reminds us. Only by the the by the working of the Holy Spirit through Scripture and a continual coming before God in prayer asking Him to change our hearts, will this boldness be brought about. Praise the Lord for His Word!

Why I Never Post

2006-07-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

Every time I stinkin' sit down to write a post I think (1) No one reading this (of which there are probably about 4 since I rarely ever post) really cares what I have to say and (2) I have nothing worthwhile to say. I guess I will just tell you what's been going on in my life.

I have been pressure washing this summer as kind of my own "small business". I have had enough work between pressure washing and weeding to keep me busy about 3 days a week. On the days that I can't work (simply because I don't have any jobs) I feel like a lazy pooh-head if I don't make good use of my time such as reading God's Word (always an essential), weed-eating, mowing the lawn, washing the cars, etc. Today seeing as I didn't have work I washed the cars, cleaned the bathroom and read some more of Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper.

I plan to weed at the Pitocco's tomorrow but as I arrived there this evening I found their driveway to be extremely steep. As I tried to start out in first at the bottom I ended up killing it and upon my attempt to compensate for the gas that I didn't apply in the first attempt in the second I over-reved it. There was a horrible burnt smell when I reached the top, which admittingly, still has me worried. Their son, from inside the house, thought someone was burning something. I prayed that I didn't damage anything seriously.

(The driveway was at about this angle)

On a more spiritual note I found a gem the other day in Psalm 138:2. David praises the Lord for exalting His own name and word above ALL things! God loves His own glory! What a great truth, to know that God loves that which is most glorious and most holy above all else, that is Himself! How much more then should we who are but lowly sinners be willing to risk all for the sake of exalting His holy name above everything else! Praise the Lord for His precious Word that is living and active (Hebrews 4:12)!

The Big Crack

2006-06-01T23:37:00.000-07:00

On our most recent vacation we had the opportunity to visit the incredible Grand Canyon. I cannot comprehend how one can stand on the edge of that majestic site and give the credit to some little stream. For me it was a great prompter for worship in just majestically it proclaims His glory. On a lighter note... here are couple of pictures from that trip.

This man apparently thought that he was exempt from all common courtesies because it was clear that a family of seven was taking a picture directly behind him but obviously neither him or the man taking the picture noticed. The man who took the picture actually handed us the camera asking if the shot was alright. We kindly asked him to shoot another one.

I can't imagine there are too many people who can say that they have done push-ups with their head overlooking the Grand Canyon. I can.

Nathaniel was tempted. He scared the living daylights out of my poor mother.

The Thoughtless Young Man

2006-06-01T22:49:00.000-07:00

One has the right to suspicion concerning the thoughts that I claim to have, yet do not reveal. I confess that I simply do not take the time to post although I do in fact possess thoughts pertaining to things of eternal value.

Speaking of which I've been reading Psalm 119 lately and came across verse 116 the other day. It says, "Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope." This verse immediately prompted my thinking and caused me to evaluate whether I am ashamed of my hope. I know in my heart that my hope is the Lord and the truths in His Word but am I ashamed of that? So often I try to live on my own strength and therefore I get lost in my pride and lose my focus. If I would just rely on Him to be my Rock and not fear those who can merely destroy the body (Matthew 10:28) He would give me the boldness to proclaim the hope that I possess. Oh what a treasure and priceless gem the Word of God is.

The Holiness of God

2006-03-04T20:21:00.000-08:00

Do you ever wonder if creation, excluding humans, does a better job than mankind at declaring God's glory? I look at the stars and the beauty of the sunset and think "I am so sinful and that is so beautiful." God's Word says that the heavens declare the glory of God and the sky proclaims His handiwork. I look at my life and know that many times it does not proclaim His glory through my thoughts, words and actions yet I know that, for some uncomprehendible reason, not only did He create me but he bought me for the highest price. At the same time of being aware of my sin and insignificance I also know that I am to be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44) and that he chose me to be His. I need no other reason to strive for holiness other than that God is my God and He is holy.

First Post

2006-03-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

Well, this is my first post!