The God Who is There, Section 1

Well, I have just finished Section 1 (of 6) of The God Who is There by Francis Schaeffer. So, far this book is by far the most thought-provoking book I've read in a really long time. I would highly recommend it for anyone who wants to minister to real people in a real way. It deals with our current culture from root causes to major manifestations.
  Schaeffer deals with the despair that has gripped our culture in every facet. And while he is philosophical and traces the roots of the "new" mindset back to Hegel, Schaeffer manages to be quite readable. While being a philosopher, he never loses the pastor's heart of compassion; indeed, he is continually calling out to the believer to see and respond to the desperation which drives the modern man.
  One of the most fascinating aspects of this in my mind is the fact that the Hegelian thought which is the basis of "postmodernism" is quite similar to the dualism that is inherent in Islam. I posted a link to an article back in February which spoke of this Islamic dualism. And I think that this is particularly relevant to what Schaeffer says.
   The world we live in lacks absolutes (or as Schaeffer calls it "antithesis"). And so, I'll end with a this thought, "To the extent that anyone gives up the mentality of antithesis, he has moved over to the other side, even if he still tries to defend orthodoxy or evangelicalism." (pg. 47)
  When we give up the MENTALITY of absolutes, we have given up real Christianity!

Iraq still needs us

An excellent article about staying in Iraq: by a former British defense minister, to a British audience. Some outstanding observations, and a strong overall presentation.

Jeremiah against Judah

The message of Jeremiah is one of incredible faithfulness in declaring God's Word. As I have been reading through it, the tone has been one continually of judgment upon rebellion. The Lord would send Jeremiah with a message for Judah, and Judah would ignore it and/or attack Jeremiah. This went on until Jerusalem was sacked and utterly destroyed, and the people were carried to Babylon. And of those who were left, their governor was murdered, and virtually every remaining Jew fled to Egypt. And in chapter 44, Jeremiah brings them a message of more judgment if there was still no repentance. And the people say to Jeremiah, "We will not listen to you" (vs. 16). Then, they detail how they will continue to worship the queen of heaven.
Yet Jeremiah continues to speak the Word of the Lord to them faithfully. God grant us that kind of faithfulness to His Word, in the face of everything that is thrown against us, to say every word that He has given.

Current Politics

Well, since I've started to blog for the evening, I might as well continue. And I've been doing some reading and thinking about politics recently, so I guess I'll post about that, since I haven't for a while.

Two big issues in US political news right now (there could be others (like Iraq), but these are the ones I feel like mentioning.) :)
1. Immigration - Is the current bill any good? Well, do you mean the old current bill or the new one? This is just my opinion, but: close the border tight; set up penalties that must be paid by the illegals; have them learn English; and then let them be citizens. Amnesty happens every time someone new sneaks over the border and we don't stop them. The issue is not amnesty per se; it is whether we are willing to close the border. I don't think any of the "anti-amnesty" crowd REALLY think that we can ship 12-20 million people out of our country. Just think about what percentage of our workforce that is, and then decide that we need those workers. However, we have to close the border and keep it that way, including backing the Border Patrol agents when they enforce the border.
2. November 2008 - The '08 campaign is already on, unfortunately.
Regarding the Democrats, I've been quite surprised how popular Barrack Obama has been. I don't know if he can keep it up (Howard Dean, anyone?), but if he can, he can beat the other Democrat candidates.
Regarding the Republicans, I've been disappointed in those who are officially running. I think the most I can say is that I would think about voting for some of them. However, former Senator Fred Thompson will most likely announce his candidacy soon, and he seems to be a true conservative. He talks conservative at every level that I've heard; he is a thinker; and he is electable. Plus, he has a career in law and government before his time in acting. So, for now, I think he's the best choice, and here's his website. Maybe third-party won't be the best choice after all.

Email security

Quote of the Week:

"Email is equivalent in security to a postcard."

Next time you send an email, think about the fact that the whole world can read it, if they really wanted to. :)

Because it amuzed me when he said it, I have been pondering this statement by Dr. Braithwaite since last week. It leaves room for a lot of thought, and it also makes one wonder, "What does it mean?" I expect at least a few of you have thoughts on what it means. :) Want to share?

We [Americans] are the decadent by-product of a weakening Puritanism. - Dr. Gilbert Braithwaite

no easy roads

Since I'm in Old Testament Biblical Theology for a week, here's a clip from the intro:

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.

Being Searched by God

5-10. "SEARCH ME, O GOD"

"I, the Lord, search the heart" (Jeremiah 17:10).
During the early, carnal years we are afraid to face up to the sinful nature within, not fully realizing that it was dealt with in condemnation to God's full satisfaction at Calvary. When we come to see that all the old nature was taken down into the death of the Cross, and in Christ Jesus we are completely clear of its penalty and power, then it is that we begin to welcome the work of the Cross upon all that of which the Holy Spirit convicts us.
"The natural man cannot bear the thought of being searched by God; he cannot stand to think of being found out in his true condition and character. But to the truly hungry believer it is a positive comfort to be assured that God knows everything about us; He knows the very worst that can be discovered. He has searched out all that we are, and in spite of all He has thoughts of blessing concerning us. There is, therefore, no fear of anything coming to light that might cause Him to change or reverse His thought of blessing and acceptance." -C.A.C.
"Our acceptance with God in Christ is perfect, and therefore unimprovable. It never alters; never varies. And it is very important for us not to mix the acceptance itself with our enjoyment of it. Our acceptance is 'in Christ,' and therefore eternal; the enjoyment is 'by the Spirit,' and therefore (because of the working of the flesh) often hindered." -J.B.S.
"The sense of His goodness removes the guile of heart that seeks to conceal its sin." -J.N.D.
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Laptops vs. Learning

Here's an interesting discussion, and I mention it partly because it's valid and partly because I like the blog overall.
These things are worth thinking through, especially in light of our tendency to do lesser things with our lives. :) Hmm... starting to feel a twinge of guilt ...

Have you found favor in the sight of God? (2)

Well, if you haven't read the prior post, you should probably skip to the next post down for a bit; otherwise, this may not make much sense. As I was pondering more on the idea that the people of God must know that their leader knows God and has His favor, I clarified some thinking in my mind and decided to blog that as well.
The man of God does not set out to demonstrate how well he knows God. Rather, it is God that demonstrates to the people how well the chosen leader knows Him.

Joshua 3:7
The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.

Joshua 4:14
On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.

God will make His man an example as He sees fit and when he sees fit. Our task is to be the man of God in private that He might exalt us if that is His plan.