Reading the Bible in a Year

So, I am going to share my thoughts that I've been having recently about reading the Bible through in a year. I have considered doing it for quite a while now, and so I have been asking various people how they have done it. So, below is the amalgumation of my accumulated ponderings.
1. The major reason to do the entire Bible in a year is to see "the big picture."
2. It is better to do a book at a time and units within a book rather than following a rigid structure. (Read Philemon for one day instead of Philemon and the first two chapters of Hebrews. Or, read Mt. 1-4 and 5-7 on consecutive days, instead of 1-3, 4-6, 7-9.)
3. Read for comprehension not just accomplishment. Thus, it might be necessary to read 5-6 chapters a day but read them for two or three days in order to really get the meaning. (On average you should read 3 chapters a day, to make it through in a year.)
4. Don't try to do Psalms and Proverbs in this format. Read them individually, at night or something. (Or one a day).
5. If you jot down key thoughts from each chapter as you go through, you will have the basis for further study on the passage whenever you go back.

Now, confession is good for the soul, so I must admit: I have decided not to make it through the Bible in 1 year. I think I'll aim for 2 or a little more. The reason is that I don't think that I can do that volume of material yet and still have a comprehension of what I am reading. I think it would quickly fall into a ritual of speed-reading. So, I am planning to take my time in working through, and what's more, I honestly don't expect to go straight through. I think I will skip around and get some variety, but we will see. Let us go on to learn more of meeting with Christ, and let us enhance our knowledge of His Word.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

At this Christmas season, we consider many things. But when we think of the fullness of God that was born as that helpless baby for the purpose of dying an excrutiatingly painful death to give us full atonement with God, what else can we say. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Consider this text by Philip Bliss.

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, Who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Blogs

OK, I am going to recommend two blogs/articles.

One is on the often maligned Sharperiron site: Dr. Kevin Bauder is doing a series on Fundamentalists and the Theatre. Part 1 is out .

The second is on the Rebelution, again. And there are actually two posts there. The one on "When You Fail at Hard Things" is good (this is part of their series on doing hard things). The one referring to the "Modesty Survey" is also going to be quite good in its outworkings I expect; I haven't done much with it, but it looks like something that might interest some of you, my dear readers, (to quote the old British writers).

Hope you benefit from them.

Google Quote of the Day

The price one pays for pursuing any profession or calling is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side.
- James Baldwin

Think about it for a minute. In any area of life, if you want to be involved with it, you find out more and more of the negatives associated with it.

Relational Theology

"... theology is ultimately relational in nature." 

"At the end of the day, all theological enterprise should ultimately result in a relationship with the One who is the primary subject of all theology - God." - Dr. Horn's notes for NTBT 

John 17:3 tells us that eternal life is wrapped up in "knowing God"; thus, the essence of having eternal life is theology. 

 2 Pet. 1:2-4 - "The primary task of every theologian is to study God's self-revelation in order to know God intimately (life) and live for God acceptably (godliness)." (same source) 

 Two thoughts: 

- If our theology is in our head but not our life, it's not true theology; it's information. 

- We have been given the Holy Spirit to enact our theology; He is the Person of the Godhead with whom we have the closest contact. We must learn to walk in the Spirit and thus live out our theology. Why do we read the Scriptures or the works concerning them? If we do not live them, we have failed.

Golgotha

From friend Pitchford's blog:


GOLGOTHA

He breathed his last, –
And died.
And the beat of the rain came hard and fast,
And the lightnings writhed in the sudden blast,
And the fierce winds cried.

Is he then dead?
But no –
For, “In him was life,” the beloved said,
And then, “Before Abraham”
(So his own words rang out long ago),
“I Am.”

But there he hangs –
Ah! red
And bloody his lifeless, ghastly form,
And the legions of darkness around him swarm,
And they gnash on him with their death-glutting fangs,
And he is dead.

But what is this – what stir, what rush?
In the pounding rain,
The rocks are split, the very heavens blush,
The temple-veil drops powerless, rent in twain –
And look! from their graves the godly slain
Come out, to live again.

Yes, “It is done!”
And after the storm, a breath
Kisses to life, while the demons still howl on.
His death is the death of death.
The minions of hell, that shrieked in horrid glee,
Now lift their voices in hopeless moans,
And, terror-stricken, flee.
And Sunday dawns

Miserable Christians

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Every joy that a Christian has is based on a future expectation. If we did not have that future hope, then the Christian life would be one of toil and suffering unmitigated. It is really the case that, in general, the life of any given Christian is a difficult, burdensome matter (I'm not going to try to prove this, but I have thought through it and concluded it's truth); and yet, while some live in that gloom, many accept the incomprehensible peace of God, the abounding joy of the Lord, and faithful patience in affliction which God has offered to each of His children. But each of these is based on the fact that "It will all be made right in the end." But if the end is simply an end, then there is no real reason to live in expectation or joy. Then, no compensation is made for the anguish and toil of a life. But this is not the case, for every believer should have a conscious hope within him. Hope in the reality of the future graces of God for all eternity.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

The only reason that it is worth enduring suffering is that we have an eternal hope. Remember that even our Lord suffered with this mind: for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. So, let's view every testing through this lens; otherwise, we have "miserable" reasons for enduring.

(I Corinthians 15:19-20)

Random evening

So, what'd we do tonight? Well it's a long story. Let me explain, no there's too much; let me sum up.
We had a rabbit roast. Josh slaughtered this snowshoe hare yesterday (cut it off in its prime, boo whoo). So, that became experiment in tasty tidbits tonight.

Eating rabbit is not that impressive; it is not bad tasting, just different and slightly tough when cooked over open coals. But not bad...

Frank joined us for the munchy morsels. (Sam didn't; TT did, too; and TJ.) Jon was also there, but he was there the whole evening; so he wasn't "just" a visitor. :<)




Jon and Josh eventually sang "Waltzing with Bears",
much to Frank's amuzement.


Other than that, the main excitement was Josh confusing someone who called the room twice, because he thought they were the booth worker calling (again). So, we never found out who it was that wanted to talk to me....
It's a strange world. Like I said random evening.

November 1st by Chambers

"Know ye not that . . ye are not your own?" 1 Corinthians 6:19

There is no such thing as a private life - "a world within the world" - for a man or woman who is brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ's sufferings. God breaks up the private life of His saints, and makes it a thoroughfare for the world on the one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ. We are not sanctified for ourselves, we are called into the fellowship of the Gospel, and things happen which have nothing to do with us, God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way, if you do not, instead of being of the slightest use to God in His Redemptive work in the world, you will be a hindrance and a clog.

The first thing God does with us is to get us based on rugged Reality until we do not care what becomes of us individually as long as He gets His way for the purpose of His Redemption. Why shouldn't we go through heartbreaks? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us fall and collapse at the first grip of pain; we sit down on the threshold of God's purpose and die away of self-pity, and all so called Christian sympathy will aid us to our death bed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, and says - "Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine." If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart.

My Utmost for His Highest (bolding mine)

Do you know life and peace?

Romans 8:5-6
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

(ESV)

Miss Anne's Jungle Update - 9/23/06

So, I told you about this letter a while back, but now I have permission to share it with you. I won't put quite the entirety of it here, but plenty for you to get a feel for her ministry. The emphasis is mine.

Dear Family,

It is so wretchedly hot and humid that I can’t imagine doing anything that would require the exertion of energy. I’m absolutely soaking wet from perspiration, and it’s been a long time since I needed a sheet to cover up with at night. At one point today, the humidity was higher than the temperature. Even Icabi, the Amazon parrot, is minding the heat. She has her wings spread out trying to catch a cool breeze. She loves getting a cold shower.

Anyhow, since I know that I should be doing something, don’t feel like doing anything, but don’t want to have a guilty conscience at the end of the day for having not used the afternoon to the fullest, I’ll try to get a letter off to you.

The end of the school year outing, which was just an idea when I last wrote, did take place. Oh what a delightful day it was! One of the mothers, Selita, cooked the chicken and brown beans here at my house the afternoon before. (From experience, it is known that some of the chicken and beans would have gone into the family cooking pot, if the cooking had been done elsewhere.) Jenny, another mother, cooked rice early the morning of the outing and I baked cakes in the wee camp oven. Then there was the igloo with plenty of drinking water. Everyone took their own Frisbee looking plastic plate, plastic cup and aluminum soup size spoon.

The Olangi Creek was quite overgrown which made for a slow, cautious trip so as not to damage the 30 horsepower motor or canoe. The Wiawia plantation was nothing but jungle making flip flops not the appropriate footwear. I have a cute picture of a bunch of kids with their arms and heads down an iguana hole with their posteriors up in the air. We came home with three iguanas. One iguana was probably quite delighted not to get caught even if he did loose his tail in the tug-of-war. One iguana was shot out of an overhanging tree limb as we navigated down the creek. It fell right on top of my head with blood splattering all over Boemboem (age 8) and me. We really didn’t mind, knowing how yummy supper was going to be.

That was a Saturday. The next Saturday Killit came from the capital city, Paramaribo, to give the house and clinic a termite treatment. Four men slept under the house in Moengo the night before so as to get a good start the next day. Jonathan and Orlando, a national from the village of Ricanau Moffo, had the men here by 8:00 AM. The men worked till after 3:00 PM pouring or squirting poison into trenches dug around the buildings, and drilled holes in the cement floor and walls. They brought their own cook while I cooked for Jonathan, MK Nathanael, Orlando, Desi and myself. I prepared chicken and sauerkraut with dumplings to eat over rice. There was chocolate cake with chocolate icing for everyone.

Wood worms have invaded the ceiling just over the kitchen table. More times a day than I can count, I have to brush the wood shavings off the table. Now adult worms are dropping onto the table and into the plate of food! Not my favorite source of protein. It was suggested that a strip of wood where the shavings and worms are falling from be removed. Desi right away said, “We can’t do that. We’ll have bat dirt all over the table and landing in the food.” Oh dear! I guess worms are better than bat dirt!

The past month has been filled with five Poeroe Blaka celebrations (end of mourning restrictions), two Siksi Wiki celebrations (six weeks after burial) and one Aiti Dei celebration (eight days after burial) in various river villages. All these celebrations include all night dancing which is very provocative even if no words are sung. It's like pantomime dancing and disgustingly wicked. If the person was baptized (catholic), there is a service around 8:00 PM, for about an hour. Then for the rest of the night there is dancing which reaches orgy proportion. Food is also cooked and presented to the spirit of the dead one being honored.

It brought sorrow to my heart to see grains of tenderness to spiritual matters trampled (as the result of these celebrations) in a number of individuals with whom I have dealt with in recent months. We certainly "…wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).

The Christians face so much pressure. Not only when there is a celebration, but every day. In this culture, there is acceptable lying, stealing, dishonesty, fornication, adultery, etc. The unrestrained indulgence in alcohol, drugs and sexual practices are rooted in the worship of the ancestors. It seems that the Christians do not recognize and hate sin as they should because of being raised in such an environment and being exposed to behavior that is considered normal and expected.

Evangelist Koempi’s son-in-law, Ronny, passed away after a battle with lung cancer. Ronny’s family is unsaved and has demanded that all the doings associated with death be done the heathen way. Koempi’s family needs God’s grace at this time to conduct themselves as God would have them to.


This epistle has become rather long and yet much has been left unwritten. There have been machete fights, cursing and slandering of each other and one mother split her adult son’s forehead open when she threw a broken radio at him in a fit of anger. All such behavior is the result of sin and disobedience to God.

I am amazed that God would count me worthy to live and serve among such despicable heathenism. What's more, He has preserved me these almost twenty-six years and given me the honor of being His Shepherdess to this needy flock.
...

"God's great movements in this world have been conditioned on, continued by,
and fashioned by prayer." E.M. Bounds


Love
Anne/Auntie Anne

PS. The Lantiwee/Pinatjarimi band is to perform at tonight’s shindig in the village of Langahoekoe. The band boys just came by to say good-bye, endure a word of admonition from Ma Anna, (that’s me), play a few minutes with the parrot and collect their drums. They have just left in the canoe, beating the drums and singing.

Prayer under grace and by grace

Don't give up in despair if no thoughts and no words come [in prayer], but only distractions and inward confusion. Often it helps to use the words of other...Psalm, hymn, song--use what helps most. And if the day ends in what seems a failure, don't fret. Tell Him you're sorry. Even so don't be discouraged. All discouragement is of the devil. – Amy Carmichael

Divine Good from Human Ill

"The Father will perfect that which concerns His own; and even where there are mistakes and failures, as alas! there are in abundance with all of us, His rich grace abounds over all, and actually takes occasion from our very mistakes to shine out all the more brightly–though, assuredly, the mistakes must produce their own painful and humiliating consequences.
...
It is our privilege to be able, in our little measure, to thank our Father in view of everything, and take refuge in His eternal counsels, which must be made good despite all the unbelief of the Christian, and all the malice of Satan." -C.H.M

Life: bucking Murphy's law

Because this blog is getting too serious, I am posting a forward from my files, to give people a smile instead of just deep ponderings. Have fun.

[Supposedly] The letter to the bank below is an actual letter that was sent to a bank by a 96 year old woman The bank manager thought it amusing enough to have it published in The New York Times. 

 Dear Sir: 

 I am writing to thank you for bouncing my check with which I endeavored to pay my plumber last month. By my calculations, three nanoseconds must have elapsed between his presenting the check and the arrival in my account of the funds needed to honor it. I refer, of course, to the automatic monthly deposit of my pension, an arrangement which, I admit, has been in place for only thirty years. You are to be commended for seizing that brief window of opportunity, and also for debiting my account $30 by way of penalty for the inconvenience caused to your bank. My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused me to rethink my errant financial ways. I noticed that whereas I personally attend to your telephone calls and letters, when I try to contact you, I am confronted by the impersonal, overcharging, pre-recorded, faceless entity which your bank has become. From now on, I, like you, choose only to deal with a flesh-and-blood person. My mortgage and loan repayments will therefore and hereafter no longer be automatic, but will arrive at your bank, by check, addressed personally and confidentially to an employee at your bank whom you must nominate. Be aware that it is an offense under the Postal Act for any other person to open such an envelope. Please find attached an Application Contact Status which I require your chosen employee to complete. I am sorry it runs to eight pages, but in order that I know as much about him! or her as your bank knows about me, there is no alternative. Please note that all copies of his or her medical history must be countersigned by a Notary Public, and the mandatory details of his/her financial situation (income, debts, assets and liabilities) must be accompanied by documented proof. In due course, I will issue your employee with a PIN number which he/she must quote in dealings with me. I regret that it cannot be shorter than 28 digits but, again, I have modeled it on the number of button presses required of me to access my account balance on your phone bank service. As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Let me level the playing field even further. When you call me, press buttons as follows: 1. To make an appointment to see me. 2. To query a missing payment. 3. To transfer the call to my living room in case I am there. 4. To transfer the call to my bedroom in case I am sleeping. 5. To transfer the call to my toilet in case I am attending to nature. 6. To transfer the call to my mobile phone if I am not at home. 7. To leave a message on my computer, a password to access my computer is required. Password will be communicated to you at a later date to the Authorized Contact. 8. To return to the main menu and to listen to options 1 through 7. 9. To make a general complaint or inquiry. The contact will then be put on hold, pending the attention of my automated answering service. While this may, on occasion, involve a lengthy wait, uplifting music will play for the duration of the call. Regrettably, but again following your example, I must also levy an establishment fee to cover the setting up of this new arrangement. May I wish you a happy, if ever so slightly less prosperous New Year? Your Humble Client

The privilege of serving the wicked?!

Dear friends, I tell you of something today that has stirred my heart and mind since I received it yesterday afternoon. I was sent an email update from Miss Anne (Dreisbach), who has worked down river from my family for years. For over 25 years, she has served in the deep jungles of Suriname as a single, nurse-midwife. I don't think I have ever seen any other person from outside a culture loved by the people as she is loved by all those on the river, saved or unsaved. And yet, she has experienced tremendous opposition, and the forces of darkness have done their utmost to destroy her work and her life. She has been in danger much; she has suffered physical hardship and ailment regularly. And I have not heard complain even once that it is too much. But, through all this, her people continue to reject the God whom she tells them of, and those who do receive Him have not followed wholly after the Lord as she has. And so, yesterday, when I got her update (which I am going to post, if she gives me permission), and read of the most recent works of God and Satan in her area, I was deeply effected by this statement.

"I am amazed that God would count me worthy to live and serve among such despicable heathenism."

Friends, how do we cultivate such a heart-understanding of the gloriousness of the Gospel ministry, that we can look at the task given to us as something of which we are unworthy? How do I get beyond the pride that tells me I am doing something noble in going to the lost? How do I really grasp that God has honored me with far more than I deserve when He allows me to serve those who have rebelled against Him?
My analysis of all this is that those of whom the world is not worthy realize that they are unworthy as well for they serve the only One Who is worthy. Finally, this passage comes to mind in regard to these things. "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry." (I Tim. 1:12 KJV)

the Jesus of John 1

Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph, is presented in shocking glory and majesty in the first chapter of John.
He is given 14 major theological titles in this chapter.

- the Word (vs. 1, 14)

- God (vs. 1)

- The Light of men (vs. 4-8)

- The True light (vs. 9)

- The only Son (vs. 14)

- Jesus Christ (vs. 17)

- Jesus (vs. 29)

- The Lamb of God (vs. 29)

- The Son of God (vs. 34, 49)

- Teacher (vs. 38, 49)

- Messiah (vs. 41)

- He that was spoken of by Moses in the Law and the Prophets (vs. 45)

- The King of Israel (vs. 49)

- The Son of Man (vs. 51)

He is shown to be eternal (1:2).
He is shwon as the Creator of all (1:3).
He is shown to be the solution to the death and darkness which reigns in the hearts of men (1:4-5)
He is shown as the chooser of the redeemed (1:12-13).
He is shown as the humble Lord who made His living among His creation at the lowest levels (1:14).
He is shown as the exalted Lord who sits at the eternal Father's right hand (1:18).
He is shown as the omniscient Lord who calls His own to Himself (1:47-48)

This passage must be one of the most magnificent concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, who gave Himself as the Lamb of God that He might be the Light of the World. And All this despite the fact that He was Son of God, the King of Israel, the Messiah that had been foretold by Moses and the prophets.
How then do we not bow before Him in humble awe and holy reverence? He who loved us so greatly, deserves nothing less than our complete submission. "Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart."

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Cor. 3:18)

Sanctification

Below is the daily devotional from Miles Stanford for today. It is, I think, a fair representation of the oringinal teaching of the Keswick/identification movement. This is what was meant, as I understand it from my reading. However, the Holiness Movement that came from those origins morphed into something that would have been abhorrent to the original proclaimers of "Keswick" theology.
I have put in bold what I thought were the main truths of this article. That is, that we must know (cognitively) our position as dead with Christ, raised to new life with Christ, and in the heavenlies with Christ; and then, we must learn (practically) to walk in the victory which we have been given positionally. This is why it is called "identification", because all this is based on being "with Christ."
Thus, the original teachings of Keswick teaches were not that believers reached some new higher plane where they no longer sinned; but rather that they learned more fully to walk in the position that they truly had with/in Christ. Thus, while they still sinned, they had learned to seek and to know the victory which Christ had bought for them. When it's put in these terms, I don't think it sounds quite so wild as some people say, but hey, to each their own.
Champ

POSITION AND POSSESSION

"I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12).

To know our position in the Lord Jesus is necessary so that we may understand His ways and rest in His means. Then, by processing through the years He slowly narrows the discrepancy between our heavenly position and our personal condition. Truth is received in the mind, assimilated in the heart, and manifested in the walk.

"First, the believer, like a bird, flies at once to the top and sees everything accomplished on his behalf, and then he, as it were, comes back and creeps up every inch of the way. It is like ascending a ladder of grace.

"The first step is, we believe that the Lord Jesus was sent of the Father; second, that in the fullness of His work we are justified; third, we make His acquaintance, fourth, we come to see Him in heaven–we know our association with Him there, and His rest here, fifth, we learn the mystery, the great things we are entitled to because of being in His Body, His Bride; sixth, that we are seated in heavenly places in Him; seventh, we rejoice in wonder and in praise in the knowledge of Himself." -J.B.S.

"As the result of the work of His Cross and resurrection, eternal life is received complete by those who believe. But while that life is itself victorious incorruptible, and indestructible, the believer has to come by faith to prove it, to live by it, to learn its principles, to be conformed to it. The life in itself in the believer needs no addition, so far as its quality and quantity are concerned. So far as its power, its glory, its potentialities are concerned nothing can be added to it. But the course of spiritual experience, of spiritual life, is to discover, to appropriate, and to grow in all that the life represents and means." -T. A-S.

"Rooted and built up in Him, and established" (Colossians 2:7).

“Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and bring Him nearer to our own image.” — A. W. Tozer

Happy Birthday to StWtA!!!!!

Wednesday, September 27th was the 1st birthday of Spread the Word to All , the world renowned blog!!! On that day, it's 47th post was made. This highly reported blog is celebrating a slightly delayed b'day due to having a ucaring blog master who initially failed to notice the great occurrence. However, now things have been rectified.
Blah, blah, blah,

(Why do I even post things like this?)

Thoughts from Habakkuk

Habakkuk is an amazing view of the goodness of God in answering the questions of man; we are given a theo-centric view of history that lets us interpret all of the confusion of this life in a proper light.

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (2:14) - Human history does not unfold around the fact that men seek to glorify themselves and bring shame to others. Rather the goal and destiny of all this is that everyone would know the gloriousness of the Lord God, the Holy One.
For in all of this, the people on earth make for themselves gods of wood and stone and even of themselves (2:18-19; 1:11). "But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him" (2:20).
Therefore, when we look around and wonder at the world we see surrounding us, let us recall these words of the Lord: "I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told" (1:5b). Thus, in all of this, we are called to trust in the God who gives us life and breath and salvation.
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation" (3:17-18).
Is it well with your soul? Are you resting in the Lord and His goodness and His sovereignty? Our circumstances are not the casue of our unrest; they are a manifestation of the unbelief that resides still within us. But it is not about us: "God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places" (3:19).
Remember that the righteous will live by faith (2:4). Will you and I manifest our faith by living faithfully and following Him?


All Scripture taken from the ESV.

Where'd al-Qaida come from?

The Jerusalem Post today had an interesting article on Pakistan's potential future recognition of the Jewish state. But what really caught my attention was the information about the origins of al-Quaida. It is very easy for the West to forget that we were the ones funding "al-Quaida" (actually its idealogical roots) to fight the Soviet Empire. And then when we were done using them, we abandoned them to their poverty again. Not a very nice way to put it, but it explains a few things. Read the article to see the Pakistani President's take on it.


"[Musharraf] also touched on the anti-terror fight, saying that Pakistan was largely abandoned by the West in 1989, after playing a key role in ending the Soviet occupation of neighboring Pakistan [sic.; actually, Afghanistan].
"Everyone left us high and dry" to deal with 20,000-30,000 mujahedeen fighters holed up in Afghanistan and 4 million refugees who crossed the border into Pakistan," Musharraf said.
"The mujahedeen coalesced into al-Qaida," he added.
Then came the Sept. 11 attacks, and Pakistan found itself thrust back into the spotlight as a key supporter of the U.S. invasion in Afghanistan and the war on terrorism."
(For the complete article, go here.)

Failure

Since the quote below is the third time in the last 24 hours that failure/success has come up, and since it was something that I have had to start pondering because it came up, I decided to post the quote. I got it from Miles Stanford's website, in his devotional for today. How much does failure scare you? How much does success thrill you? Does your world rise and fall; is your praise altered; does your faith weaken? These are natural responses, and thus, they are wrong, for they are responses that come from the natural (old) man.

"The Father may allow His servant to succeed when He has disciplined him to a point where he does not need to succeed to be happy. The man who is elated by success and cast down by failure is still a carnal man. At best his fruit will have a worm in it."

Brief update on the Chivalry thing

Despite getting called a feminist by someone (ZV) last time I brought this up, I am going to throw out the topic again. The discussion on chivalry is still ongoing at "the Rebelution." They have now gotten to Part 5.
I have decided what I think of the blog: I like it. I have benefited from at least 4 or 5 of their posts. I still want to know why it's called something that sounds like a cross between rebellion and revolution though, since it's a Christian blog.
Anyways, that was all random and free.

The greatness of God's orchestration

Friends,
Have you ever considered the reality of that phrase "I will build my church"? I have thought about it a fair amount before, because it gives me confidence in going to a closed country. However, it has always either been theoretical or someone else's experience that backs it up.
Last night, my grandparents were telling me about their visit back to the village where I grew up. And they were sharing a number of encouraging things that are going on in that church. It's not that it somehow became perfect, or that they aren't struggling in some areas still. But, there is a strengthened, functioning church there. In a place where 50 years ago, there was nothing; and 5 years ago, there was a church mired in problems; Christ has magnified His name by strengthening and building the church which He has called in Ricanau Moffo.

Interesting post on interesting blog

This blog was recommended to me by a friend; I'm still not sure what I think of it in general, but it is aimed at having a constructive influence on teens.

Here is an interesting article about chivalry today, makes for good reading; I haven't read Part 1 yet, but plan to. When Lancelot Comes Riding, Part 2

So, should girls always accept a guy's "chivalry" simply b/c it has been offered, or are there times when it is actually better to refuse, for everyone's sake....

Pause and Ponder

Music Discussion, Part 2: The Other Passages

Having considered some foundational passages on music, let's consider the other New Testament passages that deal with singing.

1 Corinthians 14:15 - What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
- The emphasis in this passage is that not only should praying and singing edify the individual doing it, but when done in public it should also edify the church.
- There is a somewhat mystical element to singing and prayer, which relates to worshiping God. This should be balanced with the fact that there should be a public edification and understanding of what is going on.

1 Corinthians 14:26 - How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
- This passage indicates two things.
o All congregational activity including singing is to build up the believer. (vs. 26)
o All congregational activity should be done orderly. This is derived from the context, for this section of chapter 14 is dealing with an orderly meeting of believers (vs. 27-33, 40). (This is not referring to having “orderly music” that follows pre-arranged rhythmic patterns or so forth, rather it refers to not having an orderly service, not having different people singing different songs at the same time.)

Matthew 26:30 & Mark 14:26 - And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
- These passages simply refers to the fact that Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn after the institution of the Lord’s Supper and before they went to Gethsemane. This may lend support to using music in the Church, but it doesn’t seem particularly significant otherwise (or maybe I’m missing something; that’s always possible).

Acts 16:25 - And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
- This passage does not refer specifically to music in the church. Rather, it applies to our discussion in that it shows the spirit which our song should exhibit. We should have a song of joy in our hearts which must praise God regardless of circumstance. And this ties in perfectly with the final passage.

James 5:13 - Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
- This passage gives us the source of our song: the joy of the Lord. Singing should be an overflow of our joy. This ties directly to the fact that singing should flow from a Word-filled, Spirit-filled, life; the intertwinedness of Scripture is fascinating.

Throughout the Old Testament, it seems that singing was used primarily as a means of ministering to the Lord by praising His name (or to heathen gods in their context). It does not appear to have the same expected purpose of horizontal ministry attached to it.  The Psalms give a vast array of instructions for how to praise God with music.

Throughout Revelation, singing is used to praise God for all He has done and is doing. In eternity, the only purpose of singing will likely be to praise God, for there will not be the same need of edification.

CONCLUSION: The dual purpose of singing appears to be that of praising and worshiping God and edifying those around us through teaching and admonishing them in truth. Thus, there should be Word- and Spirit-filling on the part of the singer, as well as understanding on the part of both the singer and the listener. Our singing should come from the joy of the Lord which has filled our hearts; often it will be a sign of our trust in God. My final thought/challenge is that if we were more fully controlled by the Spirit, we might not have so many problems with music in our churches (or homes).

Music Discussion, Part 1: The Foundation

Thoughts on Singing and Music as it relates to the Believer, Part 1

Rarely, if ever, have I heard the subject of music addressed from a Biblical standpoint, that is, with the Bible as the place from which we get our foundation for a philosophy of music (this doesn’t mean nobody does this; I just haven’t heard it.) So, over the course of the last several months I have been pondering what a Biblical philosophy of music would involve. I think that there is a difference in what music should be done in church and what could be listened to/sung at home. Most of the time if we were asked what the purpose of music is in the church, we would say “to glorify/worship God”, but that is the purpose of our lives as a whole. What does God want specifically from our ministry in song?

The discussion below is a discussion primarily concerned with proper music/singing in the church. I have attempted to find all the relevant New Testament passages and to discern what they mean in their context and how they apply to congregational worship. Four of the passages speak directly to congregational worship while the other three are more generic.

The NT only directly addresses the issue of singing in the church in two places, Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:18b-19. These two passages are roughly parallel and bear a great deal of study. Once we have laid a foundation with these two passages, we will build the other passages upon it.

In Colossians 3:16, Paul is in the middle of a small section on Christian graces. He starts verse 16 out with the words “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom”; for most of us that does not sound like the beginning of a discussion on music. However, if we look at the parallel passage in Eph. 5:18b-19, we find that there Paul begins with the words “Be filled with the Spirit.” Thus, it cannot be accidental that these concepts are thrown together. The basis of our singing must be Word- and Spirit-filling; our song must overflow from our walk with the Spirit in His Word.

In the next section of Col. 3:16, Paul explains to us what the motives of congregational singing are, “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs.” The motive of our singing is to be that of edifying our brothers in Christ through instruction and warning. The Greek word used for admonishing means "counsel about avoidance or cessation of an improper course of conduct, admonish, warn, instruct” (BDAG). Thus, our songs should have two effects on each other: we should be teaching and warning each other concerning the things of the Lord. In Eph. 5:19, it simply refers to “speaking to yourselves.” Here the details of the speech are not clearly given, but the fact that there is to be an emphasis on edifying each other is still kept in view by the “yourselves” phrase. Thus, it seems that the primary motive for singing in the church is edification.

But continue to read. The final section of Col. 3:16 says, “Singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.” The expression “with grace” could also be translated “with thanksgiving.” With grace is a fine translation, but I mention the other just to give a slightly clearly picture of what it would mean to sing “with grace” in our hearts. Thus, our singing which should be edifying the believers around us, is to flow from a heart which is thankful for and aware of the grace of God bestowed upon it. This is what might be called “praise” in the OT; we are speaking of God’s goodness and greatness to those around us. Thus, the “worship” motive of congregational singing does come into play, but it does not surpass the motive of edification, if anything it is subordinate.

This is my basic premise of singing in church: congregational singing should flow from a Word-and Spirit-filled life to edify those around while praising God from the heart.

So, a question for thought, how does the ordinary, average, pew-sitting Christian teach and admonish those around him through his singing? Choosing favorites each service? Just by sincere hearty singing?

I will plan to post Part 2 of this discussion sometime soon. That should be a discussion of all the other relevant NT passages, and a couple thoughts on the OT passages.

The Normal Christian Life - Is it Possible?

This is an oustanding post. I particularly recommend it to those of you who have read and loved Standford's Steps of Spiritual Growth or Nee's The Normal Chrisian Life.

Just as a teaser, I will tell you that my next planned post is on music. Some of my own thoughts and some questions that remain to be answered. :)

The Path of Righteousness
By Matthew – Summer 2006

A path to Heaven has been giv’n
For those whose destiny is doom:
A way to have their sins forgiv’n
By One who overcame the tomb.

A call to walk the narrow way
Appears to every man on earth.
A plea to “Come” and not to stray
Is made to fill each soul’s great dearth.

I left the wide gate at His call,
Joined the Way, the Truth, the Life.
I came and dwelt within His hall,
Forsook the road of sin’s black strife.

When Jesus brought me to the fold,
I then began to know His voice.
The Father grasps me in His hold;
And in His way, I now rejoice.

The Lord my God is leading me
In the way of His righteousness.
I hear His voice, and now I see
To follow Him through the darkness.

But how to know the path each day –
This quandary may perplex.
God will instruct and guide my way,
Daily directing all my steps.

For though the Way’s the same for all,
Each soul must walk a prepared path;
We follow Christ, go at His call
To know the special plan He has.

When I shall walk the shadowed vale,
I’ll trust Him through that way of death;
For at that end, He shall not fail;
He’ll give me life and make me rest.

So while this earthly course I steer,
His way of truth I’ll not forsake,
For steadfast love and goodness dear
Shall follow every path I take.

The Lord delivers

So, among the many friends that I have, it is really not surprising that I would have some that are saved and "in the world." But, when I was reading today in 2 Peter, I found a passage that is really encouraging concerning any of them: 2 Pet. 2:4-10a.
The passage bascially says that God is going to judge the wicked no matter what. But for the righteous that are around them, God "knows how to deliver the righteous from temptation." The passage deals with both Noah and Lot. This is interesting because Noah was not voluntarily surrounded by a wicked, corrupt culture; he was simply the only righteous person left standing. On the other hand, Lot voluntarily went down into that group of cities that God judged with the intention of setting an example of what He does to the wicked. God handled both situations the same with regards to the wicked: judgment and destruction. With regards to the righteous, He got them both out of the midst of the evil; the difference came though in whether they had to be dragged out or whether they went out willingly. But, the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation.
Therefore, we must trust that God will preserve and deliver His people from the evil one and that he will deliver the wicked who are seeking the destruction of God's people to judgment.

Trust in Him at all times; pour out your hearts before Him.

So, for the first time in over two months, I am back in the blogosphere. Although I have read and commented on a blog or two throughout the summer, I haven't actually done any posting.
But, since I don't have anything earth-shattering to say now (most of you already get my random news updates), I will post a poem that I wrote early this summer. I actually wrote the "refrain" significantly after the rest of the poem.


A Plea for Brokenness

Take me, Father, in Your hands;
Take my will and goals and plans.
Take the hopes and cherished dreams;
Take the strengths on which I lean.

Break me, Father, to Your will;
Break my self; the old man kill.
Break my comfort, sufficiency;
Break the sin which clutches me.

Make me, Father, by Your plan;
Make me rest within Your hand.
Make the Spirit rule within;
Make me know the Son of Man.

Refrain:
Oh, change me as I come to know you!
Renew me, Lord, that I may show You
To those around who live in darkness
So they are changed into Your likeness.

All good things must end

Well, Wednesday morning, I am supposed to leave for Cobeac. So, that means for all my avid readers, there will be a great dearth of reading material. What a shame. But it was fun while it lasted. Therefore, a couple of final thoughts.

- A tropical climate (Suriname) is better than a temperate climate (Northland) becaue the temperature variation is only about 50 degrees in a given year, as opposed to about 130 degrees (it's been over 80 degrees and humid here at NBBC these days).
- The Braves are on track to win another championship this year. Hurrah!
- This summer is a grand time to continue learning in all areas of life.
Have a good, profitable, growing summer.
Jn. 15:5

Freedom from Quiet Time Guilt

This is an amazing article. You have time to read, so just do; indeed, you have time to read all of it. It will be a blessing, even if you do not struggle with exactly what he says, it will be relevant.

http://gregscouch.homestead.com/files/Quiet_Time_Guilt.htm

Advice on Ramen

As I was advising a friend this evening on the details of making Ramen properly, he suggested that I publish a post on it. Therefore, my dear readers, you are the beneficent recipients of my sage wisdom on the culinary delicacies of extracting the most luscious and delectables savors from that package of "stuff."

There are a variety of ways to cook Ramen; you must however, experiment with all of them in order to find out which best suits your ideal. First, do you like your noodles limp or sturdy? I like mine sturdier; thus, it is necessary that I not allow them to be boiled with the water, but rather I place mine in the water after it has been sufficiently heated. If however, you prefer a limp, lifeless noodle, then by all means, subject your Ramen to the heating process as well as the heat.
Second, decide upon the appropriate method of heating your Ramen. When the options are a hot pot or the microwave, I recommend the hot pot. This is due to the fact that the water will boil faster. However, if you want limp noodles, use the microwave and cook the noodles in the water. (Note: when microwaving the water, remember the time constraints that you are under. If you are in a hurry, don't boil it for more than 1:10. The water gets too hot for immediate consumption. If you have time, do it for 1:30 or more; the resulting Ramen is better, but you have to wait a few minutes to eat it - unless you want to burn your tasting organism.) During the time the water is heating, make the noodles whatever size you prefer to eat; I have grown to prefer my noodles well broken, but that is an acquired taste. Experiment.
Third, once your water has been heated, decide upon a proper receptacle in which to mingle it and the "stuff." (If you microwaved it, you probably already made this choice, but read this anyway.) The container into which you pour your scalding hot water needs to be big enough so that you don't slosh on yourself, yet practical for eating out of. I prefer an average bowl or cup. However, especially when done in plastic, boiling water or microwaving can have detrimental effects upon the plastic. Finally, remember CONTENTS ARE HOT; don't burn yourself being messy.
Fourth, decide how much of the seasoning you want to use. If you are having Chicken or Beef, I recommend the whole package. For the rest, I recommend part of the package, but that's because I don't like their flavors. However, I highly recommend Chicken, and Beef makes a good alternate.
Fifth, eat. Friends make the best Ramen better, so have two packages and mock them for making theirs wrong.
Sixth, rinse your container. But not too thoroughly, if you leave some Ramen grease in there, you'll be reminded of the delicious meal again, whenever you use the container. I am frequently reminded of my Ramen during a drink of water... (I know that's gross.)
Anyways, have fun. If you read the whole thing you are either bored or amused.
Matthew

Surrrender

I was listening to a sermon by Opa, and this quote really struck me.

"The solution to our being yielded, crushed, and committed to the God of heaven is simply to know Him. For if we know Him, yielding to Him comes naturally."

Why do I not surrender to God's will, because I do not know His Person?

A Year-end Summary

It seems to be a good time to post a summary of the year. So, here goes.

It was a good year with some rough spots every now and again.

But if Jeremy and Joe hadn't stayed under control, we wouldn't have made it

There were some rather unusual spots during the year...

Is that Josh and Chris, or Hitler and Castro?

And some slightly odd moments...

6 Senior guys who can't even stay sitting on a log?

But, there were a lot of fun moments, too....

Surprizing Zach for his "birthday" - (he jumped, then tried to hurt me)

Playing fooseball (lots of it)

And time with family and friends...

Friends, after Graduation
(notice Kevin's pink tassle)

And that's about it.

All good things must come to an end, and this school year did. It was fun and nice, but it's done!

Thy Rod and Thy Staff

I have been reading in the Psalms for devotions. Some of these thoughts struck me then, but they really came home as I saw some of this being played out in my own life.
Psalm 23, "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." This speaks of the restraints of grace. God's chastening and limiting us is to be a comfort most dear to us. It is a symbol of His love. What would we be without His rod and staff to comfort us and keep us on the paths of righteousness in which He has led us? May I learn more of the comforts of restraining grace.

The Word of God

There are apparently several versions of this poem, but I am going to put the one that I was first given, from my dad.

Think of it carefully,
Study it prayerfully,
Deep in your heart let its oracles dwell;
Ponder its mystery,
Slight not its history,
For none ever loved it too fondly or well.

Family vs. Ministry - the great debate

The dichotomy drawn in this matter of family and ministry is very interesting. Does one have precedence over the other? This has been a question that has been important in overseas ministry for years. Historically, precedence has been given to the ministry to the (apparent) neglect of the family. Notice men such as David Livingstone who sent his family home to England. But this tendency also comes up in the boarding schools of more recent times.

However, the modern trend is to put the family before the ministry. Thus, if there is danger to the wife or kids, we should evacuate and go home till it blows over. Or, we will keep our kids inside so that they are not exposed to the realities of the heathen world around them.
But are either of these right?

Balance must be the key for there are true and godly believers who have been at fault in both categories. The Bible speaks of a love for God that shows "hate" for father and mother, wife and children. We understand that this speaks of our love for God being so dominant in our lives that when it is compared to our love for our family it will be said that we do not love them. The Bible also speaks of Peter who at the beginning of Christ's earthly ministry apparently had a mother-in-law, yet he followed Christ for three years. This is when Christ did not have a place to lay His head. Even in the OT, God required the firstborn son of every Hebrew family, and if the son was not to go into God's service directly, then he must be redeemed. Consider Samuel: his mother gave him to the Lord's service when he was yet a child.

Yet, on the other side, God clearly gives commands and direction for the husband/father in the home regardless of whether he was "in ministry" or not. The leaders in the church were given certain requirements regarding their family that implied direct involvement (I Tim. 3). This is the side that believers tend to err on today. So, how do we know what to do?

A couple of thoughts:
God will not give us roles that conflict. When God calls a person to ministry, he has given them a particular role. When He calls them to marriage, He gives them a different role. When He calls them to parenthood, He gives them a third role. These roles do not conflict: they are all part of God's calling. Therefore, while the individual instances of two roles may conflict, the roles themselves must never be prioritized. To explain: one does not say that his role as father and husband conflict. Consider if the wife and child both have different needs at the same time. When the father/husband fufills one of the needs to the exclusion of the other, it is not because his roles conflicted. His roles as father and husband are complementary. What happened is that the performance of the duties related to the roles conflicted; therefore, he had to make a decision between the particular duties related to the roles. In the same way, home vs. ministry do not conflict inherently; they are also complementary. When a church meeting and a birthday party conflict with each other, this does not mean that the pastor/father must now choose between the role of pastor and father. He can't stop being either one! One of the roles is not inherently more godly than the other: GOD HAS CALLED HIM TO BOTH! Therefore, the individual instances of the duty conflicts within the roles must be examined.

Conclusion: While being a proper wife/mother will limit one's ministry to a certain extent, it will enhance it in other areas (e.g. ministering to other wives/mothers). God has called his people to a task, but He has given us multiple ways of performing this task.
What do you think?

Wow! Weird! Wild!

I am done with my last major project for my undergraduate degreee. I have a grand total of 3 exams for next week; that makes me happy. I graduate next Saturday. - Who cares about walking across the platform, but being done with the next stage of my life will be nice, fun, and exciting. Then, off to camp for the summer.
Ah well, just figured I'd post something after my long silence.

More thoughts sparked in Genesis

  My last post was a result of my reading of Abraham's life. This one is a result of reading the first part of Jacob's life. (In parts, it is similar to Josh's last post, but I didn't plagarize.)

  It is amazing how you can get used to the flow of a story; all of Abraham's life has the same basic   theme: Abraham walked by faith, with some failures, but the theme is faith - faith in the promises of God. So, I arrived at the story of Jacob still thinking of faith as the interpretive key to the story: it isn't, at least not at first. But amazingly, the promises are still central; but this time everyone wants the promises their own way. Jacob wants the promises and the blessings they bring, but he doesn't have faith in the God who gave the promises and blessings. Esau wants the promsies, or does he? He doesn't really care about the promises after all, he just wants to be the big man around here. Rebekah wants the promises (for Jacob) and Isaac wants the promises (for Esau). But they have all forgotten about God and what He wants. 

  God has given the promises, and He is still directing the course of events, but how can He bless those who are not acting in faith? I haven't gotten there in my reading yet, but how do you bless Jacob by giving him material wealth? Now he has to divide up his stuff so that maybe some of it will survive. How do you bless him when he is always running in fear? It is not until Jacob learns faith that all that blessing can really be a blessing; and those promises, now those can be believed too. And they don't have to be gotten by deceit. In fact, the next time, before Jacob leaves the Promised Land, God will actually tell him to go; and now Jacob can be mentioned in the Hall of Faith, because he also believed the promises, blessed his seed, and sojourned in the land of Promise.

A Hypothesis concerning a hypotenuse

Random email sent from a friends:

Three kingdoms were in dispute over claims to an island in the middle of lake on which they all bordered. Finally, after exhausting all diplomatic options, the rulers of the three kingdoms decided to send their best knights to the island for a great battle, and the winning kingdom would have claim to the island forever.

On the night before the battle, the three knights rowed out to the island, each with a retinue of their best squires. Two of the groups of squires promptly got down to the business of polishing armor, sharpening weapons, and just generally making sure their respective knights were ready to face the others in the morning.

Meanwhile, the third squire tied a rope around the handle of a large kettle, hoisted it off the ground by a tree branch, and began cooking dinner, leaving his knight to tend to his own armor and weapons.

The battle, which began promptly at sunrise, was spectacular.

Three knights in gleaming armor clashed with razor-sharp weapons. On and on it raged, until all three knights were dead.

Since the conflict had not been resolved, the squires then engaged in a battle of their own, until the only squire left standing was the one who had hoisted up the kettle to cook dinner the night before.

The moral: "The squire of the high pot and noose is equal to the sum of the squires on the other two sides!"

Thoughts sparked in Genesis

What is the hope of the Christian? Is it not that someday, we will have a "rest", a place of eternal life with God? As I have been reading in Genesis, the concept of rest keeps coming up, not because Genesis talks about it, but exactly the opposite.

  Look through your Bible, especially the Pentateuch, and you do not find rest in this life; you find people who were sojourners and pilgrims and wanderers on this earth, people who were looking for a future rest in a Promised Land. Then, turn to the NT and remember that this world is not our home, we really are just passing through; indeed we are strangers and pilgrims. Now then, brothers, let us live as ambassadors, those who are sent to a foreign country, and it is in service to the King, not for ourselves!

What do you See?

I figured while I was posting, I would post my favorite poem of the ones I've written. Matthew

What do You See?
October 2005
Lk. 16:13-31; 2 Cor. 4:18; Jn. 4:24; Jam. 1:2

These riches and joys are just temporary things.
'Tis certain we must look upon heavenly scenes
with much greater love and total abandon
with a zeal to have our soul's vision examined.

Seeing the beggar, do we see the man's shell?
Do we stop and regard the hell-destined soul?

These things are not real in the sight of our Lord;
Our sight must be judged at the bar of His Word
for our focus must be on a city unseen
and our gaze on the lovely Redeemer from sin.

Hearing of the terrorist, does hate fill our hearts?
Can we see the one who is lost from the fold?

True worship is not in action and form
It comes from a spirit that will praise and adore
being willing to lose all these earthly possessions
for the cause of the One, who’s our Master and Lord

Meeting the wealthy, do we start counting coins?
Do we see the eternal, that soul that is damned?

Are we willing to give up this temporary life
In order to serve with our all for our Lord?
Will we go at His charge and give up our will?
Will we rise up and follow no matter the call?

Afflicted as He was, will we give up the race,
or count it all joy to rest in His grace?

These riches and joys are just temporary things.
'Tis certain we must look upon heavenly scenes
with a singular passion and different direction
with a zeal to have our soul's vision corrected!

Psalm 121 - Rest in the LORD

Psalm 121
By Matthew , 3/11/06

I feel my weakness;
I seek for help.
Rest in the Lord

The Lord made heaven;
The Lord made earth.
Rest in the Lord

He holds me steadfast;
He does not sleep.
Rest in the Lord.

He watches Israel;
He does not sleep.
Rest in the Lord.

He is my Keeper!
He is my Shade.
Rest in the Lord.

The sun is harmless;
The moon so weak.
Rest in the Lord.

He keeps from evil;
He keeps my soul.
Rest in the Lord.

A thought from a friend:

"If God is love, He is something more then mere kidness. Someone kind to animals will kill an animal to keep them from suffering."

Does this affect our concept of true love?

Why did He love me?

Here is a poem that I wrote this week. The first one is the original, but I decided to write it in contemporary English as well. - MC


For what?
2/22, 25/06 – Jn. 17:23, 26; I Cor. 9:24-27
Matthew

For what didst Thou love me? To honor Thy name
And why hast Thou given? To cover my shame
And now, as Thou callest, “Love them for me.”
I answer, “My Lord, empower Thou me.”

For what didst Thou call me? To love Thee each day
And why then redeemed me? To walk in Thy way
And now, through Thy power, receiving great grace,
I hunger, my Lord, to win in Thy race.

For what wast Thou offered? to blot out my sin
And why didst Thou suffer? To sanctify men
And now, as Thou showest, Give all for men;
I follow; “My Lord, take me to them.”




(revised) For what?
2/25/06 – Jn. 17:23, 26; I Cor. 9:24-27
Matthew

For what did You love me? To honor Your name
And why have You given? To cover my shame
And now, as You called, “Love them for me.”
I answer, “My Lord, empower now me.”

For what did You call me? To love You each day
And why then redeemed me? To walk in Your way
And now, through Your power, receiving great grace
I hunger, my Lord, to win in Your race.

For what were You offered? To blot out my sins
And why did You suffer? To sanctify men
And now, as You showed, Give all for men;
I follow; “My Lord, take me to them.”

Who's happy?

Here's some interesting stats I found at Turkish Daily News.
Turkey is the third most unhappy country in the world; the USA is the second happiest country in the world. Have fun, amusing yourself with pondering why different countries are happy or unhappy. (Why is France unhappy, but the UK and US are happy?)...

Top 10 'happy' countries: Country percentage claiming to be 'very happy':

Australia -- 46

U.S. -- 40

Egypt -- 36

India -- 34

UK -- 32

Canada -- 32

Mexico -- 31

Sweden -- 30

Brazil -- 29

Saudi Arabia -- 28


Top 10 'unhappy' countries: Country percentage claiming to be 'very unhappy' or 'disappointed':

Hungary -- 35

Russia -- 30

Turkey -- 28

South Africa -- 25

Poland -- 24

Philippines -- 23

Japan -- 21

Taiwan -- 19

France -- 18

Hong Kong -- 17

I am an over-reactionary doofus!

I just wanted you all to know that I, Matthew, am an over-reactionary doofus. Every time my friends do something mildly annoying to me, I overreact and hurt them severely.
(Like this post on this blog for instance, I'll probably overreact severely and hurt someone for it!)

Closed countries???

I'd seen this quote before, but it struck me anew today.

There are no closed countries if you do not expect to come back. 

- Larry Poston

Massive Toad

This is a picture that my family sent to me. It is my dad holding a large toad (not frog) on a regular 10-inch paper plate. He does this whenever he finds a big one. :)

What is true Love?

This is an old definition of love that I've heard for years but can never remember, so I decided to post it, thus giving me a way to reivew it.

"Love is a desire for and a delight in the well being of the one loved, leading to active and a self sacrificing effort of their behalf."

Worshiping while sacrificing

I was reading Gen. 22, Abraham sacrificing Isaac today; I was struck again by Abraham's saying "we will go and WORSHIP and then we will come again." He was going to sacrifice his son. So I was reminded of the song that I heard a while back: When praise demands a sacrifice. Ponder the words.

The call to go to Mount Moriah came to Abraham
But the offering placed before the Lord was not a lamb
He bound His only son and when the knife was raised
A sacrifice became the price of praise.

CHORUS
When praise demands a sacrifice, I'll worship even then
Surrendering the dearest things in life
And if devotion costs me all He'll find me faithful to His call
When praise demands a sacrifice.

The call to go to Calvary came to God's own son.
An altar waited for the lamb He would become
His hands reached up to Heaven as the cross was raised
And with His life He paid the price of praise

REPEAT CHORUS

God hears the words of praise we lift, yet I have found.
He's honored more by what I am willing to lay down.

REPEAT CHORUS

Christian leadership tainted by politics?

  It's a good thing that most Christian leaders aren't scrutinized by the media for what they do and their connections as much as Republican politicians. If they were, we would be able to look forward to the fall of several prominent evangelical leaders in the next few months for association with Mr. Jack Abramoff, that person who is presently making so many Congressional politicians squeamish as he prepares to testify in court. Those Christian leaders who would be indicted for indirect, but guiltful, association would include such people as James Dobson of Focus on the Family, Phyllis Schlafly, and American Family Association head Don Wildmon. If you are interested in the whole story check it out here. Basically, these are people who got used for political purposes without their knowledge, intriguing eh. And yet, one wonders if those mighty politicians in Washington ever find they have been used inadvertently but get knocked down by the media anyways. Ah well, what goes around, comes around.