Tuesday's slice of bread

Sovereign, Sovereignty

2012-02-07T10:43:00.000-08:00

Because we do not live under a monarchy, it is easy to lack appreciation for God as Sovereign.
Sovereign, Sovereignty
According to the M-W dictionary,
A sovereign [noun] is one possessing or held to posses sovereignty;
One that exercises supreme authority within a limited sphere;
An acknowledged leader: ARBITER.
A sovereign [adjective] is defined as
Superlative in quality: EXCELLENT;
Of the most exalted kind: SUPREME;
Having generalized curative powers;
Of an unqualified nature: UNMITIGATED;
Having undisputed ascendancy: PARAMOUNT;
Possessed of supreme power;
Unlimited in extent: ABSOLUTE;
Enjoying autonomy: INDEPENDENT;
Relating to, characteristic or, or befitting a sovereign;
Synonyms see FREE.
What a lot of words for sovereign [noun] and sovereign [adjective];
And yet, and yet
They only begin to describe
The Sovereign.
He is indeed arbiter/lawgiver/judge
He is in all ways excellent
He is the most supreme
He is unmitigated in holiness
He is paramount in perfection
He is absolute governor as sustainer as creator
He is independent in ways we creatures cannot conceive of
He has a freedom of which we cannot imagine.
And yet, and yet,
These words only begin;
The Word is--without beginning, without end--
With control of all,
Even the most mundane of life's details
As well as the most critical [seemingly critical].
He rules over all invisible [except to Him]
He rules over all visible
He rules over all time and
Over all space and
Over all created beings and
Over all created other.
No detail escapes His notice;
No technology is beyond His grasp;
No relationships are too boring for His interest.
What comfort!
Amazing,
Grace.

Musings on a Tuesday Morning at the end of January

2012-01-31T21:08:00.000-08:00

Musings on a Tuesday Morning at the End of January

Reading in Exodus, the time leading up to, during, following that event which was pivotal in Israel's history, I am struck by this: as long as they were miserable, fearing for their lives, even in the time immediately following their escape/deliverance, the Israelites were obedient. But days later, not only did their obedience flag, they began to complain about their circumstances and their leaders--not necessarily in that order.

What difference is there between them and us? As the hymn puts it, "Fast bound in sin and nature's night," we called for deliverance. When God graciously granted it, how long did we really give thanks before we began to grumble about this, that, and the other thing? This brings me back to 1 Corinthians 10 where we read, "Now these things took place as examples for us" (verse 6). This is an instructive chapter, one worth reading parallel to Exodus.

Don't miss these verses in 1 Corinthians 10: "Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (verses 12-13).

I am thankful for both the warning of verse 12 and the promise of verse 13.

Revisiting my seven-year plan

2012-01-31T09:28:00.000-08:00

Revisiting my seven-year plan

It seems appropriate to revisit my seven-year plan as this is both the last day of January 2012 and a Tuesday--the day we used to visit our friend Jean.

What have I done as regards my health? More visits to more doctors and more tests and more medicine. At my age, what can I expect but that? I am thankful to live in a country where those are possible.

What have I done as regards my soul? Sought to spend more time reading the Bible and some additional books, loading my Kindle appropriately, and trying to remember to keep its battery charged.

What have I taken to heart as regards my spirit? Actually this passage applies to all aspects of life:

"Look carefully then how you walk [live], not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be willed with [controlled by] the Spirit, addressing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:15-20; ESV).

God's word regarding government

2012-01-24T12:45:00.000-08:00

God's word regarding government
This evening the president will give the annual state of the union address. Here is what God says about government:

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

Peter wrote this in his first letter: "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of a foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor" (1 Peter 2:12-17).

Over Coffee at Woolworth's

2012-01-17T07:33:00.000-08:00

There used to be a Woolworth's in Minneapolis but the chain went away years ago, at least in the US, so that is a giveaway that this is another vintage piece. I post it because the convictions now are the same.
Over Coffee at Woolworth's
If I have any equilibrium,
It has one source: God's Only Son.
If through changes I come with peace,
It's thanks to God's Spirit's release.
If I can laugh during my twelfth working hour,
It's because He is my power.
When I'm ready to cry or quit,
He enables me to deal with it.
The times I choose to disobey,
I come to Him in pain and dismay.
I try to listen, and hearing, heed,
Knowing He'll give me the strength to match the deed.
And when I fall, He takes me back,
Forgives and fills in where I lack.
No matter how things appear to be,
There is no greater one than He!

A Song of Affirmation

2012-01-10T14:12:00.000-08:00

I admit, this too is one of my vintage pieces and appeared in one of my books.

A Song of Affirmation
It's hard some days to truly praise
Yet we ought however God's ways
Seem more to muddle than cast light:
Whatever God wills is right.
When it seems He's forgotten
Or blesses those obviously rotten,
Take faith in hand and proclaim
All the honor due His name.
When storm clouds sound with rolling thunder
And lightning thrusts, then look with wonder.
Giving thanks for rain of grace,
Fall before Him on your face.
When discipline recurs with pain,
He will give you strength again,
For as a Father He must train
All His sons and daughters to reign.
So whether you "see" or the way seems dim,
Praise will make you more like Him.

The Letter

2012-01-10T08:45:00.000-08:00

I wrote the original of this more than 40 years ago while taking a writing course. It has appeared in print elsewhere, so if you think you've seen it before, you may have.

The Letter

To Joseph ben Jacob,
The blessings of Jehovah.
I have received your letter marked
"Urgent."
Though it was last fall,
Though hundreds were enrolled,
You knew,
And I remember.
She was near her time.
He steadied her as
The beast she rode, stumbled.
Though they were home,
None of their relatives would take them in.
Everyone said, We are sorry, but ....
I found them in my stable.
It would have been a more awkward moment,
But we were all in the same basic boast.
Castouts.
I didn't know why they were.
I?
As a Jewish employee of the Roman establishment,
I am loved by neither Roman nor Jew.
That was how it was the morning I found them.
The birth was unexpectedly quick.
It seemed as though the son was--
Eager to be born.
Shepherds and wise men!
This was no ordinary family.
The husband was a carpenter, yet
Here were wise men
Unselfconsciously mingling with unwashed shepherds,
Offerings of gold and spices and a lamb.
The little woman and I did a lot of head scratching.
I talked to them.
Messiah?
We had waited so long.
But, a carpenter's son?
And born on the land of a Jew owned by Rome?
Worshipped by Gentiles?
Still, it was by the prophets
The right set of circumstances.
I am not the same man.
I have held Messiah in my arms.
I have seen Him draw
Jew and Gentile, wise and unlearned, outcast and accepted
Together.
He made us each whole, all, one.
That, my cousin Joseph, is the truth.
They're gone, now,
The family,
The shepherds,
The wise men.
I hope that you and your household are well.
I understand that you are one of
The most blessed in Arimethea.
If you deem it wise, you may share these faltering words
In synagogue.
Shalom!

Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh

2012-01-03T08:28:00.000-08:00

It appears that the wise men (however many there were) arrived after The Child and his parents had moved from a stable to a home.
Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh
Gold and frankincse and myrrh,
Gifts from the Gentile men to her,
Must have baffled Mary's mind
For such strange gifts and men to find
Her with Joseph and the Child
After months of travel wild,
Coming as they did to worship the infant King,
Coming on the eastern wing,
Coming, worshipping, offerings leaving,
Warning Mary of future grieving.
Gold and frankincense and myrrh--
Meant for the Child, entrusted to her.
How odd it must have seemed
As the gifts intense scents and gleamed
As more practical gifts were not brought
These were those which there had thought
Appropriate for a king's birth,
And so they were for King of heaven and earth.

Christ Jesus in His First Coming

2011-12-27T08:33:00.001-08:00

Christ Jesus in His First Coming
Neither form nor comeliness (KJV, Isaiah)
Not in His First Coming.
The Incarnate cloaked in commonness,
Startling in His human naturedness,
Humbling Himself in this as well.
And then, naked on the cross,
Apart from the crown of mocking thorns
And bleeding lash marks,
He bore the scars of my sin on His skin
With no bitterness within
As He took upon Himself my sin
Before the Father's eternal approval of grace
Christ took my place,
And in some God-ordained agreement,
Gave me His nature as though I'd not sinned,
Agreeable then to be in the Presence.
What response can I have to this miraculousness?
From eternity to eternity, worshipful obedience,
Anticipating His Second Coming
Revealing His glory in its awful fullness.
Even so, come!

Song of Incarnation

2011-12-20T18:12:00.001-08:00

Song of Incarnation
[Written in 1969-1970 for Bethel College now Bethel University]

Christ Jesus--Christ Jesus! Immanuel
God has come to us, has come to earth to dwell.
Sing ye people, let your hearts' voices swell
And glorify our God and His Immanuel.

Jesus, Jesus, God's Holy Christ,
You have come to us to be as we
In flesh encumbered but yet a while
And You will die that we need die no more.

Jesus, Jesus, Holy God. now man as well, O Christ,
We know You came to be sacrificed.
We killed You, O God crucified,
And You rose for us, God glorified.

Christ Jesus--Christ Jesus! Immanuel
God as man has come to us, has come in us to dwell.
Sing ye people, let your hearts' voices swell,
And glorify our God and His Immanuel.

The Miracle of Christmas

2011-12-20T13:50:00.001-08:00

The Miracle of Christmas
The miracle of Christmas is composed of many parts:
That Father and Son and Spirit would open their hearts,
Each to play His role to make the elect whole.
Of course the Trinity is One in some way unimaginable
And equally incomprehensibly Three [true mystery].
Before time God made His unchangeable plan,
Knowing Adam would fall, to redeem each chosen man.
God made His plan and carried and carries it out
No matter how many don't get it or doubt;
What God has willed God will accomplish, perform;
The miracle of Christmas was completed Easter morn.

Vintage, but I still like it.

2011-12-13T07:24:00.000-08:00

Tuesday
A friend asked me this last weekend what I was working on. I said "nothing"; it wasn't a matter of writer's block, but that there were just drips in the bottom of the well now. I've written a lot more this year than I expected to, pushed to post something most Tuesdays in addition to the other writing, and it is difficult to reach to the bottom of the well now. But this is Monday night and tomorrow, should it come, will be Tuesday. So here forthwith are drips from my well.

Don't make appointments with a huge block of time between them unless your Kindle is fully charged.

Wear a wool sweater when you have the least hunch you will need it; some days cotton on cotton isn't warm enough.

Be appreciative if you have caller ID; it will save a lot of wrenched ankles and missed calls.

Be thankful when your doctor tells you that you need to reschedule because of their schedule rather than yours; that is thoughtfulness, even if it seems inconvenient to you when you first hear it.

On a more serious note, I am working on my seven-year plan with the assistance of many, the top of the many being the Holy Spirit, which I am grateful for also.

Garry and Elizabeth at the GTY volunteers party

2011-12-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

Whatever beauty this world holds

2011-11-29T10:47:00.001-08:00

Whatever beauty this world holds

Whatever beauty this word holds,
It holds as a poor reflection of heaven,
It holds, yet as pure as the earthy can be,
It holds and it draws me more close to Thee.

Whatever beauty this world contains,
It contains as a gift from heaven,
It contains as mist or rains
Something of the glory to be known,
It contains yet a bit, yet a scent,
And though I see and sense,
Incense which draws me more close to Thee.

Whatever beauty of bird or mornings' dew,
Can only point me more to You
For all that is lovely in truth and delight
Is at God's right hand in radiant light.

More details of my seven-year plan

2011-11-29T08:21:00.001-08:00

More details of my seven-year plan

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."

Body: improved health to the extent possible.

Soul: broken into these categories:

Mind: supplement Scripture by reading better books and spending more time with those than on time wasters of various kinds.

Emotions: cultivate the fruit of the Spirit.

Will: do the three commitments above with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Spirit: greater intimacy with the Holy Spirit at any cost.

I appreciate the timeliness of the messages Pastor John has been bringing on the Person of the Holy Spirit recently at Grace Community Church.

I would challenge any of you who have read this to consider such a commitment/plan as it may fit you, and ask you to pray for me to be faithful in what I need to do or cease from doing.

2011-11-22T15:22:00.001-08:00

More Scripture included in my seven-year plan
As I considered what could motivate me to carry out a long-range plan as one potentially lasting seven years, the following Scripture passages came to mind. These are in addition to those included in last week's post and I expect to discover more, also.

Philippians 2:12-13: "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17: "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word."

Galatians 6:9-10: "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."

2 Thessalonians 3:13: "But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good."

Colossians 2:6-7: "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude."

Ephesians 2:10: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

2011-11-15T17:26:00.001-08:00

My seven-year plan--tentative, as I am learning to live life with a pencil, not ink
Where did I come up with the idea of a seven-year plan? From Moses, who wrote these words in what we refer to as Psalm 90: "As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years, yet their pride is labor and sorrow, for soon it is gone and we fly away....So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom....Let the favor of the Lord be upon us; and confirm to us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands" (v.v. 10,12, 17).
Why the idea of living with pencil, not ink? From James, who wrote in his letter what we know as chapter 4, verses 13-17: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.' Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.' But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to the one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."
I wrote a more full draft of this on 12 November. Then last night, we got a phone call informing us that a friend, Jean Mastin Lewis, whom we had reconnected with five years ago this month, was on her death bed. We went, not knowing we would be there when she left this residence for her permanent one. After the singing of many hymns by those present and the reading of some Scripture, it pleased the Lord to call her into His presence at 10:30 p.m. Jean turned 81 last March.
Take this to heart. Count both your days and your blessings.
"As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years, yet their pride is labor and sorrow, for soon it is gone and we fly away....So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom....Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and confirm to us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands" (Ps, 90:10,12,17).

2011-11-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 2:19-25
This is the first of the set of verses I have chosen for the 7/14/21 challenge presented at the women's fall event at GCC

For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrow when suffering unjustly.
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in His steps,
WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;
and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
and He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed.
For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

2011-10-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

A favorite passage from 1 Peter
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.
Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2011-10-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

Seven Always Pertinent Proverbs

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 13:3
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 16:4
The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

Proverbs 18:13
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Proverbs 21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 29:20
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

2011-10-11T13:50:00.000-07:00

Reflections on some verses in 1 Thessalonians 5
Our women's Bible study is memorizing four verses from 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, 24. This is how I have broken them out:

Rejoice always; in God's character, not personal circumstances.

Pray without ceasing; in doing so you enter into Christ's current occupation as revealed in Hebrews 7:25 "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

In everything gives thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus; what God wills, He enables.

Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also bring it to pass; reminds me of Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ" as well as Philippians 2:12-13 "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but not much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

2011-10-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

Regarding intended posts

All of the material from the Truth Matters Conference, which was held in early September, is available on the Grace to You website, gty.org.
I would strongly urge you to go there, click on the Truth Matters option, and listen or download the pdf files or order the cds.
You see, as much as I tried to, I could not do justice to the session by Phil Johnson. The material Jeff Williams covered appears in his book, The Work of His Hands: A View of God's Creation from Space.
If I can, I will post my notes on other messages.

2011-09-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

The Satisfying Gospel, session 3
While session 2 focused on how Christ died for the sinner, session 3 focused on the fact that Christ died for God (Romans 1:4-7), for His name's sake. Again, keep in mind that I am posting based on my notes; listen to the sessions to fully benefit.

Salvation is for the glory of God (Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 15) .
Absolutely everything is for the glory of God.
Consequent behavior by the saved sinner is in Romans chapter 12 and following.
All is about divine glory (John 17:11).
In Romans 3:25b-31 we see how God is is satisfied and glorified.
The cross of Christ...
1. declares God's righteousness.
On what basis does God forgive? See Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 78:38; Micah 7:18; Acts 17:30 for the answer.
Romans 3:26 frames the issue; the death of Christ answers; the cross reaches back to cover sin once hidden and now revealed; God was vindicated at the cross; the justice of God was on display.
2. demonstrates His grace (Romans 3:26-28); Christ the Infinite Person therefore able in three hours to bear the wrath of God for the sins of all who will ever believe.
3. reveals God's consistency (Romans 3:29-30; Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 16:19; Ephesians 4); God is one and is God of all--Deuteronomy 6:4.
4. confirms God's law (Romans 3:31; Galatians 3); we cannot break God's law without activating God's wrath.

2011-09-20T18:27:00.000-07:00

The Satisfying Gospel, session 2
Keep in mind that these posts are of my notes from the Truth Matters conference; you would profit from listening to the messages for yourself. They are posted online.

Sessions 2 and 3 were both about the satisfying gospel, but from different perspectives. In session 2, the emphasis was on how the gospel satisfies sinners needs because Christ died for sinners. The key word is "righteousness" because the gospel is about righteousness.
Job asked the right question in Job 9:1-20: How can I be right with such a God?
All religions seek to answer such a question.
The religions of human achievement say they are the only way.
But we turn to Romans 1:18-3:20, which shows that no one can be righteous in the basis of human effort; no one is justified by the works of the law. Not even the Jews are (see Micah 6:7-8; Romans 3:19-20--no defense).
Romans 3:21--the light breaks in full hope, but now it is in the righteousness of God, as it was for Paul (see Philippians 3).
The essence of the gospel is God to the rescue.
The only acceptable righteousness is the righteousness of God (see Isaiah 45:8).
The heart of the gospel is the righteousness of God.
Jesus lived a perfect life and therefore could provide a substitutionary death.
The burnt offering of Leviticus 1 included the essential features of atonement:
1. the innocent for the guilty
2. all the weight leaned upon the lamb in the transfer of guilt indicates faith
3. death at the hand of the offender indicates a personal connection
4. blood shed as death is the penalty for sin
5. the entire sacrifice burned
6. God was pleased, His wrath placated.
But this was temporary.
We can see the provision of everlasting righteousness in Isaiah 9:12 and Romans 3:21-26.
Components of this righteousness are:
1. it is apart from the law; law produces transgression
2. it is based on revelation (Isaiah 55; Romans 4:2-3, 5-9)
3. it is acquired by faith (Romans 3:22; 4:5; Ephesians 2:29)
4. it is provided for all who believe (Isaiah 43:7; Acts 13:29; Romans 2 and 3)
5. it is given through grace (Romans 3:24-25)
6. it is accomplished by redemption (also Romans 3:24-25)
7. it satisfies the sinner's need

2011-09-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

Today is Tuesday, September 20. 18 years ago, my parents celebrated their 46th and last anniversary. WE had no idea it would be that. My dad died 6 days later in his sleep, going to sleep in Sioux Falls SD and waking in heaven. Every year this time, my thoughts go back to those days and my gratitude for my parents, their faith lived out as a model for my sister and me. Mom turned 91 last month and continues to be a blessing.

2011-09-06T18:53:00.000-07:00

From September 1-4, Grace to You hosted a conference called Truth Matters: The Gospel According to Paul at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA (L.A. area). This included 9 sessions plus those on Sunday morning and evening. Posts today and for the next weeks will include my notes from most of the sessions.

Thursday, September 1, in the opening session, John MacArthur preached on The Glorious Gospel.
He drew on several passages from 2 Corinthians and elsewhere. These were his main points, according to the notes I took:

(1) The superiority of the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6, 8, 9)

(2) Ministry as a mercy (2 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Timothy 1:12)

(3) The necessity of a pure heart (2 Corinthians 4:2); no hidden life (2 Corinthians 1:12--clear conscience); Acts chapters 23 and 24

(4) Be committed to preach the Scripture accurately (2 Corinthians 4:2, "truth has a self-evidencing power")

(5) Remember, results depend on God (2 Corinthians 4:3-4, the problem is the heart; verses 5-6, creation is the model for salvation because in both cases God provides the light by calling it into existence)

(6) Personal insignificance (1 Corinthians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:20)

(7) The benefits of suffering (2 Corinthians 4:8-12, with verse 12 key; James 1; see also 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

(8) The necessity of conviction (2 Corinthians 4:13, integrity mandate)

(9) Remember to put future reward over present difficulty (2 Corinthians 4:14-18)

Having read this, I hope you will download the messages from the conference when they become available @ gty.org.

2011-08-30T07:31:00.000-07:00

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
"Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him."
Perhaps
Another reason for what is crooked is
To slow me down
So I don't
Crash on the turn which
I don't see in
The fog
And if that is the case
How great is His love
In looking out for my truly best interests
And how little need
For me to complain
While I hit the brakes
And breathe.

2011-08-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

Vintage yet current

No matter my perceptions,
God is good.

When I come to the end of my comprehension,
He stands immovable, immutable, all-wise.

When I cannot sleep,
I can rest in Him.

When walls surround me,
My eyes are drawn heavenward.

When I have done all I can,
He enables me to do all I must.

When I am feeling lost,
My Shepherd is there.

When I am disobedient,
My Father disciplines me.

When I am repentant,
He receives me, restores me, rejoices with me.

He is sovereign;
I am secure.

2011-08-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

I wrote this the day before my Mom turned 91, and the news was full of "bad" news on both radio and television, as well as from on-line news sites. I had to think rightly.

In charge

Creator of all creators
Sovereign of all sovereigns
Governor of all governors
Leader of all leaders
King of all kings
The only true and trustworthy One
The unchangeable Rock
Unalterably reliable in all circumstances
In you alone is refuge
From you alone is strength
To you alone is worship

2011-08-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of my Mom's 90th year. To honor her, I have made a selection of photos from her party last year going back to when she was less than a year old. I could have posted many more. Some of those I posted last week in remembrance of my Dad also include my Mom of course.

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Photos Explained
Because yesterday would have been my Dad's 90th birthday, I decided to post a variety of photos from the years though in no particular order.
We decided to give Mom and Dad a 45th anniversary party and it's a good thing we did as he passed away less than a week after their 46th anniversary.
Some photos preceded this note and others will follow.

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2011-07-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Selected Scriptures and Personal/Physical Limitations (a repost)
As one of those people with limitations for as long as I can remember--even longer than I can remember--I have gone through a variety of emotions: resentment, anger, resignation, finally reconciliation and realization. Realization?
Psalm 139:1-6 reads: "O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it."
How often have I felt hemmed in, limited, and not seen this as wonderful?
Yet, as David wrote in this intimate Psalm: "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them" (v.v.12-16)
Given, then, that God was involved in these ways in my creation, how could I be angry or resentful or resigned? Instead, through this and other parts of Scripture, I not only became reconciled to my present (not eternal;) limitations, but also realized that there are benefits to them, somewhat in keeping with these: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
I have also found a lot of comfort from many of the verses in Psalm 119.
By the ongoing grace of God, then, I have moved from resentment, anger, resignation, finally to reconciliation with and realization that these limitations (temporary) are part of God's process of sanctifying and making me useful.

2011-07-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

God's love
God's love is eternal and unchangeable. What differences will those facts make? Because it is eternal, it has neither beginning nor end. Because it is unchangeable, it can be counted on. There is a caveat however.
It is this: it is that we respond to God's love with love for Him.
Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that,who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.'
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (8:28-39; ESV)
Yes, the love of God is eternal, unchangeable, and incomprehensible.
Do you love Him?

2011-07-12T20:01:00.000-07:00

Divine Armor Supplies All Power

Listening to the sermon by Nathan Busenitz on Ephesians 6:10-18 over live stream from Grace Community Church, I was struck by verses 10-12: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Because of that, verse 13 begins, "Therefore, take up the whole armor of God..."
I had realized some years ago that my salvation--any one's--is a gift of God purchased by the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But I was confused for a long time about the matter of sanctification--the growth which follows salvation. God saved me, but did He leave me to make my own way through life after that?
Eventually I realized that wasn't the case, though I had lived as if it were. Philippians 2:12-13 clarified a lot: "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Even so, what impressed me when it comes to the warfare believers are engaged in is that is is God's armor and strength and might that I must rely on, not mine.
Mine is puny and easily used up. His is eternal and endless. However, it has to be accessed, appropriated, appreciated, applied.

2011-07-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

Life
I turned the television on and caught the last part of a commercial for some kind of beverage. The tag line seemed to be "life is short; summer is shorter."
None of us likes to give much if any thought to the brevity of life. No matter how many years any of us lives, compared to eternity, they are few.
Moses must have been thinking about that when he wrote what we refer to as Psalm 90. The 17 verses of this psalm are rich. We get to listen as a man pours out his heart to his God, and make those requests ours as well.
A prayer of Moses, the man of God.
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place to all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!"
But a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning; in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed.
You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
The years of our lives are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone,and we fly away.
Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many days as we have seen evil.
Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands; yes, establish the work of our hands!"

2011-06-28T13:46:00.000-07:00

This Week on Tuesday
All I am going to do is direct you to the book of Romans, chapters 4-8.

2011-06-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

Sin
What is sin? Is it only an act of disobedience? I guess this came to mind as I tackled the use of the active voice in writing rather than the passive voice. But then, I picked up John Owen's massive treatise, Overcoming Sin and Temptation, edited by Kapic and Taylor.
Somehow what I read brought me back to James 4:17: "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
Ah, yes, omission is as much sin as commission.
So I repented (and repent) of that which I have left undone which I ought to have done, as well as that which I have done and ought to have left undone, and ask God to reveal to me all that exists in both categories that all may be dealt with, to His glory.

2011-06-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

Prize and Reprise
The 2010-2011 year for the Every Woman's Grace Bible study at church covered four of Paul's letters: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. As the year was drawing to an end, we were asked to review those books and the lessons we'd gained which were leading us to greater Christ likeness. Passages significant to me follow.
Galatians 1:3-5: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever. Amen." Who did what? Why? To what end? And should we not therefore give Him glory forever?
Read Galatians 3:28-29: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise." This seems to be restated in Colossians 3:11: "Here there is not Jew and Greek, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all."
Then I saw three other passages connect.
Galatians 5:15 states, "But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are no consumed by one another" which relates to Ephesians 4:29: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear it" and to Philippians 2:14: "Do all things without grumbling and questioning."
What do these have in common? We are to no longer focus on our human differences but instead on out completeness in Christ.
This part of Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3 has especially stayed with me as only God can bring this about: "And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (3:19)