Happy Reformation Day!!!

Gimme a break!

Okay, whatever you say...

I'm taking a little break from blogging. Let's just say maybe a week. There are some things in my life which I need to do some heavy praying over. May God bless you this week.
:)

Inconsistent Theology

Today I was at the Christian bookstore and I started talking to this sweet lady who is dealing with an unsaved husband who has some big sin issues in his life. I listened as she poured out her heart to me. These situations are awesome because it is an opportunity to love someone and respond to their emotions. To comfort her, I said, "Don't give up hope. If God can save me, a wretched sinner only worthy of his full wrath, than He can save your husband." She kind of interrupted me and said, "Oh, I know I won't be able to do it (change his heart), if God can't, than I can't for sure. " She goes on, "He (God) wants to change his heart, but it won't happen until my husband wants to let him." I was taken aback. Did she really just say that God was not able to change a person's heart until that person wants God to?

What we have now is a god who is not in control, who doesn't get his way, and must submit to the authority of created, fallen man.

What kind of god is this? He is not worthy of my praise. He receives no credit for my salvation, because, hey, I'm the one who gave him permission to "change my heart."

But, wait, it can't be possible for me to want God to change my heart before I let God change my heart because if in fact I want God to come into my heart, that very desire is a sign of a changed heart. Am I right?

He can't be the same God whom Job was talking about in Job 42:2, "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted [even by man]."

Romans 3:10-11 says, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God."

So, logically, if we do seek after God and desire Him, our heart has been changed, by God, not ourselves.

This automatically brings up the story of Paul in my memory. How did that story go again? Oh yeah...I remember... so Saul was walking one day to Damascus when he suddenly thought a thought, which was deep inside him, about how wonderful it might be to get to know Jesus as something more than he had. So, he decided, that he wanted Jesus so much that he was finally going to give Jesus what he wanted too. I get Jesus, Jesus gets me. Everyone's happy, everyone wins. Then Saul goes on to praise God for saving him, and thanks his mother for passing on so smart a brain to him. "How clever I am to find within myself that morsel of truth!" Paul states rejoicefully. The End.

But then again, I can't even remember where I put my keys...

T-Shirts

they'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
they'll know us by the way we point and stare
at anyone whose sin looks worse than ours
who cannot hide the scars of this curse that we all bare

they’ll know us by our picket lines and signs
they’ll know us by the pride we hide behind
like anyone on earth is living right
and isn’t that why Jesus died
not to make us think we’re right

when love, love, love
is what we should be known for
love, love, love
it’s the how and it’s the why
we live and breathe and we die

they’ll know us by reasons we divide
and how we can’t seem to unify
because we’ve gotta sing songs a certain style
or we’ll walk right down that aisle
and just leave ‘em all behind
they’ll know us by the billboards that we make
just turning God’s words to cheap clichés
says “what part of murder don’t you understand?”
but we hate our fellow man
and point a finger at his grave

they'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
they'll know us by the way we point and stare
telling ‘em their sins are worse than ours
thinking we can hide our scars
beneath these t-shirts that we wear

~Derek Webb

My heaven...
...except make that a younger guy with dark hair...

To whet your appetite...

"We're getting so good at doing "the christian thing," that it's no longer christianity."
~Brian Phelps

Bye for now

I head out tomorrow for Gutenburg's Oktoburfuss in Eugene. God willing, I'll blog about it when I return. God bless your weekend!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Jesus, with Thy church abide;
Be her savior, Lord, and Guide,
While on earth her faith is tried:
We beseech Thee, hear us,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Keep her life and doctrine pure;
Grant her patience to endure,
Trusting in Thy promise sure:
We beseech Thee, hear us,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

May she one in doctrine be,
One in truth and charity,
Winning all to faith in Thee:
We beseech Thee, hear us,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

May she guide the poor and blind,
Seek the lost until she find
And the brokenhearted bind:
We beseech Thee, hear us,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Jesus with Thy Church Abide
©1997 Christopher Miner Music. Words: Thomas Pollock. Music: Christopher Miner.

It's really in There!

I will be starting a new weekly post entitled "It's really in There!" In it, I will post a verse from the Bible which may or may not be surprising or shocking to you. My pupose is two-fold: to glorify God by quoting His Word, and to inspire and convict you to take out the Bible and read it!

Here goes...

Proverbs 18:17
"The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him."

Now this week's verse is one to get you thinking. So, what are your thoughts???

Caution: Context is important!!! If I seem to be extracting meaning from a verse which is not it's original intent, please bring this to my attention. Thank you.

Note: All Scripture quoted is from the English Standard Version.

This was taken at a beautiful park not too far from my house. Great place for ultimate frisbee. My mom and I are best friends.

End of the Spear

The true story of Nate Saint's and four other missionaries' brutal death for bringing the Word of God to the Aucca indians. This movie is focused on Steve Saint (Nate's son) and his return to the indians. This is going to be a must-see film. Make sure you get the chance to go. Opens January 20. Check this out for information.

My Studious Dog

I found her like this at 2:30 in the morning. Look at her tired eyes. She is very into theological apologetics, however, she has a lack of compassion for the lost. She barks at the neighbors.

Wooohooo!!!!!!
Derek Webb live October 19th at Yreka Christian Fellowship.

I'm there.

Special Guest on Today's Radio Program

Brought to you by Adam Cummings

*Radio Buzzes On*

Adam: Well, today is a very special day. With me now is the Apostle Paul. Good day, Paul!

Paul: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A: Also with me is Mr. Gracious, emerging advocate of the Mushy Gushy Proclamation for Watered Down Doctrine movement (the MGPWDD). Mr. Gracious, good day.

Mr. Gracious: *with a thick Joel Osteen accent* Oh, thank you so much Adam. I'm so glad we can all be here as a unified body. After all this doctrinal stuff, I've been getting dizzy. I've seen so many young Bible students rebuking and correcting others with the Word of Truth, it's just been makin' me so gosh-durn sick. I wish they had all the experience that I've had, then they'd know better.

A: Paul?

P: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word, be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

A: Wow. Ok then. Now, Mr. Gracious, what is it about doctrine that you don't like?

G: Oh, I love God's doctrine, I just can't stand the way so many young men debate it and tear down the views of those who seem to be teaching something not in the Bible. This, Adam, is not Christ's idea of unity.

A: Interesting viewpoint. Paul, you wanted to say something?

P: We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ...

A: Sorry to cut you short, but it's time for a commercial break. Stay tuned, listeners.

*Radio plays Mr. Gracious' commercial song, the well-known and classic hit I Love You, written by Barney the Dinosaur*

A: And we're back!

G: *sigh* That song brings tears to my eyes every time I think about the way the body of Christ is today.

A: Hmmm, moving right along... Now Mr. Gracious, you are a Calvinist, correct?

G: That is incorrect, kind sir. I prefer--with aldo respect--to be called a Bible believer. Thanks.

A: My apologies. You do, then, believe that preachers should teach that sovereign act of God, whereby He elects a certain race to salvation in His Son and passes over the rest, leaving them in their sin.

G: Now Adam, let's be careful. *sweet grin and soft voice* We should tell people this with grace. Many Christians might not have the understanding that we have, and voicing your opinions too much might cause division. It really is sad how so many just want to push their stance on election, rather than gently presenting it to other Christians.

A: Paul, how would you go about teaching election to someone who says that sovereign election makes God the author of sin or that God is unjust in hardening anyone's heart by leaving them in their own sin? What would you say to that person?

P: On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it?

G: WELL! Of all the...

A: Hold on, Mr. Gracious, we need to keep going. Now Paul, as Christians, don't you think we could be a little less bold about what we say? Besides, young students learning from their undergraduate Bible class professors really have a knack for this. Should they be so bold?

P: Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading.

A: Very interesting. Of course, in one of your books--Philippians I believe--you did speak of being like Christ with a humble spirit. Where do we draw the line? Was Jesus more tolerant of bad doctrine than many young Bible students are today? What should we do? On a more personal level, Paul, how should I respond to those older and more experienced than myself when they attack me because of my boldness in speech and label me as arrogant? Ha, after all, I guess that comes with the radio business.

P: Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. . . . Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

A: I appreciate the advice. Sorry, Mr. Gracious, let's turn it back to you.

G: Well, I must confess that I think Paul's attitude is harming the body of Christ and doing no good at all. We must realize that we are who we are because of Christ, and I declare that it is by grace we are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is...

A: With aldo respect, Mr. Gracious, you're quoting Paul's book.

G: Well, I seem to exhibit what he writes better than he does; I just can't believe his tone about all this. That kind of attitude is really contra-Christ.

A: WELL, thanks folks for stopping by for this quick interview, and I trust it's been an encouragement to your hearts. Since you are our special guest, any closing words for us, Paul? You don't have to tell us whether or not you wrote the book of Hebrews, but wasn't there something in there that you wanted to respond to Mr. Gracious with? Thanks again for listening everyone; go ahead, Paul.

P: For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

G: [Unintelligible]

*Show Ends*

He gives grace
to His elect because He wills it
to His redeemed because of His covenant
to the called because of His promise
to believers because they seek it
to sinners because they need it

~Charles H. Spurgeon