Thoughts on words

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Eph. 5:4 - ESV)

It is interesting that the replacement for wrong words is to be thanksgiving. If we are concentrating on the One to whom we have so much to be grateful for, we will not slander His name or glory by having filth or crudeness come from our mouths.

Ruminations on glory

In 2 Chronicles 13, the Bible records that King Abijah of Judah, though he did not follow God wholly, was given a tremendous victory, because God was glorified in that victory. This is the purpose of man and the creation, to glorify God. Yet we say that God is glorified both in the salvation of His children and the damnation of the unrighteous. How do these fit together? At times, theologians speak of the attributes of God as His "perfections." When the perfections of God are most fully displayed in their true glorious character, then God is glorified. It is certain that the perfections of God are seen clearly in both salvation and damnation, though we may not see it in the latter case as easily as the former.
What does this mean today, here on earth? The creation declares God's eternal power, His deity, His glory, His righteousness. But we were made image-bearers, those made in the likeness of God, by God's own hand with His life breathed into us. We are called to live out those of God's perfections with which He has graced us. Think on it - made in Almighty God's image to disply who He is! Is it any wonder that it is only when we abide in Christ Jesus, the God-man, that we can bear fruit and glorify God? Only in that way we can display some measure of His perfections and show that we are truly His followers.


*1 Kings 15; Psalms 19:1; 50:6; Romans 1:19-20; John 15:8

Pictures of sunrise

It is not often that I see the sunrise in my normal routine. So, as a tribute to my currently normal but generally abnormal routine, some pictures.

Difficulty walking with God

If you approach the Old Testament from a historical perspective, you begin to realize that no one has had an easy walk with God.
- - Dr. Gilbert Braithwaite.