Finishing "The Doctrine of Repentance" by Thomas Watson

This book is extremely challenging. I know because I've been trudging through it. There are books I read and there are books that tend to read me. The Bible is the foremost scrutinizing book; this is obvious. Then there are the gems that are inspired by Scripture--penned by men who've been "pierced by the Word" and seem to be so sick with their own convictions that they heave them out onto paper. These are the books that bless me by bringing me low, turning my gaze towards Jesus and rattle my heart to sing songs to Him because of His grace and unmerited favor towards me, a sinner. "The Doctrine of Repentance" is a book that has given me a fresh and acutely painful look at myself and caused me to see in a deeper way, that repentance is a gift of God's grace. It's something that should be sought after and something that should be desired by me and all of God's church. Climbing the mountain of repentance is a continuous trek; it's part of our pilgrimage . Yes, this grace of Grace can sometimes hurt but it's necessary and well worth it in light of the joy that is set before us. Praise God for brothers like Thomas Watson and others who've been preserved by God's grace to write books that give glory to God and push His church towards the Throne.

Soli Deo Gloria

encouragement from another giant predecessor

Prayed over a part of the eighth of Romans in a way of paraphrase with some readiness. I greatly fail in the duty of meditation and am forced to use some artifice with myself to do it at all; thus sometimes I turn them into a prayer form, sometimes I suppose myself in miaginary conversation, sometimes that I am called upon to speak to a point.

Without something of this sort I am not able to engage myself to attend with any fixedness of thought and with it, alas! how seldom, I would remember to pray for grace and direction in this matter that my delight may be in the Law of God to meditate therein day and night. (John Newton, 91)

God's Sovereign Song

I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

When I read this passage yesterday (and I've read it dozens of times prior) I was delighted to see God's sovereignty all over the prophet Jeremiah's words. It made me think--When you see God's sovereignty all over your life, it sets you free.

He is the Author and Finisher of my life, and it is not a series of random events that I am forever at the mercy of. God is fully involved in all of them. From the loss of fortunes (Jer 29:14), walking through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23:4), experiencing seasons of great joy, to being rescued from despair. God is involved in all the events of my life. Even the ones I deem insignificant, God is active in all of them. He is sovereign! That is comforting to me--to know that my life is not part of a score that's directed by an arbitrary conductor. That would be a horrible song, would it not? Instead, God has orchestrated my life (and everyone else's) according to His perfect will and if His story and plan were put to music; well it would be a song of infinite grandeur and perfect sound. It would be a perfect song. So, if you are reading this and you are the side of God that is covered by the blood of His Son, take comfort in the fact that God is sovereign in your life and that all things work together for good, for His kids (Rom 8:28). 

Romanticized Depression?

Martin Luther struggled with depression. Spurgeon struggled with depression; Edwards, Calvin, Bunyan, all great men of the Faith and all of them struggled with depression.

Thinking of myself and others--particularly of the Reformed persuasion--who are greatly encouraged and challenged by the afore mentioned men I'm faced with a question; Out of an admiration for their work and lives, has depression been romanticized in the Christian life?

I know many friends who say, "Depression is something I struggle with.", "Depression is something I battle with?", "I wrestle with depression."

I'm not downplaying legitimate depression or the people who truly wrestle with it but, how much of it is drummed up in our own minds? How much of it comes from focusing on our own sin instead of the Glory and Person of Christ, the power of the Cross, and the joy of the story of the Gospel? Could it be that many of us wallow in our depression and guilt, twist our faces in public and secretly try to claim piety and justification for our sad state of mind by referencing some of the greatest men of the faith who struggled with being downcast? Yes, men like Spurgeon, Edwards, Calvin, and others were mightily by God, but they were men at best (1 Cor 15:10). Any joy and comfort they received in their dark days is due to the same grace and very same Gospel given to all of God's people--past and present.

Depression is not a good, happy place. For many, melancholy, doubt and extreme guilt are daily thorns that saints fight to pry out until their death. For others, depression may be something that's "self-inflicted" and in need of some repentance. Be a blessing to the family of God and spend focused time hunting for manifestations of God's grace in the lives of your brothers and sisters in Jesus and celebrate them together! (Acts 11:23)  Invite others to do the same for you. Jesus did not die for sin to be meditated upon, He died so it could be recognized and repented of for the glory of the Gospel and the joy of His people.

Helpful reading on this topic:

You Can Change by Tim Chester

What is the Gospel by Greg Gilbert

A Lifting Up For The Downcast by William Bridge

Spiritual Depression by Martin Lloyd-Jones

Atonement: a working windex for my conscience

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. (1 John 3:19-24)

There are days when my convictions feel like massive weights covering my chest; or like an annoying tapping sound that I can't shake. It interrupts my meals, my quiet time, my drive to work, that small window of time that dwindles away just before I drift off to sleep at night, and it's there to greet me when I wake up in the morning. These are bitter sweet times for me. Bitter because my heart condemns me and the taste of sin is horrible, but sweet because that weight I have is not a bad thing. It is a gift.
The gift is two fold:

1) Conviction is a gift from God-it pushes me (us) to the cross. For me (the believer), there is no other place to go. Anywhere else just adds to my already paining frustration. Conviction is there to remind of my condition and my need for Jesus and His atoning work at the cross. If I respond to my convictions they force me to see The Father's grace in His Son Christ. My sins absolved! Baffling (Ez 16:62-63). Biblical conviction shows me that God is still present and working in my life (Heb 12:6). So, while I am dour, I am thankful and glad.

2) A clean conscience gives me boldness before God when I pray and open my Bible. I look at my conscience like a window; if I don't get it clean then there are times when I'm not able to read, pray or really enjoy fellowship. Even when my wrong is "minor" or if I'm uncertain as to whether or not I've sinned at all (Ps 19:12-14;Jer 17:9) I have to get it clean. Sometimes it can seem ridiculous to others why I'd have to get something like that off of my chest but, I have to (Ps 41:4; 51:4). My sleep depends on it.

boldness in the face of everything opposite: encouraged again by my giant predecessor jonathan edwards

"Resolution One: I will live for God. 

Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will."

- Jonathan Edwards

hope in the face of "life"

i recently had the opportunity to preach on hope (1 pet 1:1-8,13). it us always a fearful task and privilege to preach, and at times, it's an even bigger joy to prepare. there is conviction, joy, worship, digging and discovery of Godly jewels (ps 19:7-10).

making decisions that have "HOPE IN GOD" written all over them.

that was one of my points and probably the one i was most challenged by during my preperation.

how can my wife and i make decisions, as a unit/community/ministry, that have "HOPE IN GOD" written all over them? even in the little, everyday things that don't require us to leave the house, how can we stamp, "my hope is not found here but with Him" on all that we do? 

"I'd rather not wash these dishes or scoop out this cat poop, but. . .my hope is in the fact that one day I will be with Him and cat poop and dishes pale in comparison to that glorious day so. . .i'll scoop the poop and i'll be hopeful while doing it!"

sounds simple and almost trivial but at times, that's how i try to flesh out my present and future hope of glory. we're called to glorify God and give Him thanks in all that we do (1 cor 10:31; col 3:17); being thankful and looking forward to Glory while carrying out our everyday things is how it works. here's an example:

my wouldn't start the other day. consequently i was going to be late for work so i made a phone call to let my superior know. i hooked the jumper cables to my car and without knowing (my battery isn't marked) i reversed the polarity and melted my cables. . .ahhhhggggghhhh! luckily there was a man in the parking lot who gave me a jump and soon i was on my way to work.

now, i enjoy listening to the radio on my way to work but, when i screwed up the jumper cables i must've shorted a fuse. . .the fuse to my radio. i drove to work in silence. i paused and said, "okay, why did i go through all that? was it to have my radio short? where is the thankfulness in this situation soul? luckily i had my fighter verse next to me (duet 7:8) and then it hit me, "i can memorize my fighter verse at the lights and recite aloud on the way to work! there it is!!!"

by God's grace, i had a hopeful and thankful ride to work.

press on and continue to lean on the hope that is set before us.

rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer - rom 12:12

 

How illogical,
this is simply laughable:

that Captain, my Captain
would call his fighters
to the field
to fight a force that doesn’t yield

to fight their flames
and all His fighters hold
are swords and shields

How cruel!

this can’t be fighting
fought with rules
or ethics,

when under all their armor,
all his fighters all are peasants
fighting trickery and lies,
pretty ladies eyes,
money, fame and cheating smiles

How mean!

this can’t be a fair fight
on top of that they fight
at night!

Of all the times to fight this fight
Against their cruel and snarling opponent

At night!

this isn’t fair!
this isn’t right!

but then again,
amidst my gall
I think of how my Captain
was born in a city—
small
in a haven far from that of heaven’s walls
grew up like a root,
lived among his fighters
walked and wept
ate, perspired
tired

until one day
evil men came with primitive lighters
and orders
to kill Him

arrayed in blame
and
Crushed!

for all his peasant would-be fighters
He fought and conquered

armed His men with swords and shields
called them to the field
to shame the giants with their fancy gadgets of allure

and the peasants wearing all their armor
leaning on my Captain

we were never called to a fair fight

sovereignty, sanity and humility

First, then, let them remember that when they inquire into predestination they are penetrating the sacred precints of divine wisdom. If anyone with carefree assurance breaks into this place, he will not succeed in satisfying his curiosity and he will enter a labyrinth from which he can find no exit. - John Calvin

Consider this, if God let everyone decide on their own whether to believe on Jesus or not, NO ONE WOULD! We must be careful not to delve too far into what God has not revealed to us. Doing so may make one crazy. - Thomas R. Thompson

on the thing(s) that can't come back

Look carefully then how you walk, 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. (Eph 5:15-17)

There things we squander, many times not realizing that they are not recoverable once they're lost; and consequently, once the Light has dawned and we do realize it, it's probably too late.
Whenever we fritter these irretrievable things away we've in the process, defecated on the gift of time.

I've been convicted, and am currently convicted of the fact that whenever we sin, we've not only that specific sin to repent of but the sin of wasting God's gift of time. it actually causes me to cringe-thinking back on all the times i've wasted time. shouldn't it though?

i don't write this to be a rain cloud on the readers parade but instead, i write it as a reminder for myself and whoever decides to read this-think carefully about what you're about to do with the time in front of you. everyday presents itself with time. this time is filled with people (i think of my wife), places to be, deadlines to meet, necessities to be tended to etc. . .
our use of time affects those things as well. we especially can never get back the wasted time that may have inadvertently impacted the life of someone else (negatively or positively).

be reminded that as we steward the things around us we are, inescapably stewarding our time.

"eternity hangs on what you (we) do with time. . ." - t.brindle

what is the hypostatic union?

before i answer the questions of, "what is the hypostatic union?", i want to say something in regards to Biblical doctrine and the discussion of it on this blog; my intention is not to discuss the doctrines of the Bible for the simple purpose of mere discussion and/or the "joy" of hearing ourselves talk. i do not believe that these doctrines, like the hypostatic union, the atonement, etc. . .were intended for that. if we think that then we've made a massive error and consequently, we've missed the point and spiritually we've missed out. doctrine and the study of doctrine is intended for the soul and the strengthening of it. for encouragement and application; our belief in Biblical doctrine should be lived out during our existence here on earth. a question you might ask yourself is--how does the doctrine of the diety of Christ affect the way i live my life and treat others? that's what i believe doctrine is for. God wants the doctrines that are found in His Scriptures to impact our minds and so change our lives for His glory (see my post entitled "a false dichotomy"). with that said, someone asked me in a comment on my last post, "what is the hypostatic union?"

to put it simply: the hypostatic union is the personal union of Jesus Christ's two natures, His Diety and His humanity (Phil 2:1-11; Col 1:15-23; Heb 1:3). it is the "two-hundred percentness" of Christ, one-hundred percent God and one-hundred percent man or fully God and fully man.

i found an article on this exact topic that unpacks this truth in brief but in better detail then i. the link is below. please feel free to respond to my previous blog "what does it mean to love doctrine" and i'll continue to reply. i'm thinking about doing some posts on how Biblical doctrines should impact our thinking and way of life.


Hypostatic Union article:
(http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/983_what_is_the_hypostatic_union/)

what does it mean to "love" doctrine?

i've been having continued, solid, conversations with a good friend about systematics, doctrine and different theological "camps". i'm obliged to say i've been challenged and stirred to revaluate and examine some of my thinking. these conversations haven't been earth shattering blows to my base theological beliefs, there are no pillars or essentials being called into question here; that's not what i mean. if anything, i'm challenged to know the God of Bible in greater depth than in previous years.

one of the topics that came up was the pursuit and study of doctrine. some people would say, "i hate doctrine!" while others would say, "doctrine is everything!" and even still, others would say, "doctrine isn't important and i don't have any answers for you." 

doctrine is a word people throw around and everyone using it may not mean the same thing. so first, we should ask the questions: what does the word doctrine mean? Webster's Dictionary defines doctrine as follows:

noun

a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party,

or other group : the doctrine of predestination.

a stated principle of government policy, mainly in foreign or military affairs : the Monroe Doctrine

so doctrine is a set of beliefs held and taught by a church. okay, i agree. keeping in mind though, not all doctrine that's taught is correct or biblically accurate, for example; the doctrine of purgatory is one that's taught and held to by some but it is inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible, therefore, it's bad doctrine. There are some man made church ordinances that people hold to as immovable, commandment like rules, thus, they treat them as a kind of doctrine. An example would be, women must wear dresses in church, or no other instruments besides organs or pianos during worship. Personally, I think that rules like that are dumb but regardless of my opinion those kinds of rules should not be treated like true doctrine. There is good doctrine that's true and bad doctrine that's false.

So, when I ask, "What does it mean to love doctrine?" I'm asking what does it mean to love the Trinity, the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union, the doctrines of Grace. What does it mean to love those? 

the most influential book ever written.

I look at the most influential areligious and secular writers who've ever lived; they strain, with what they feel is good intention, to write and reach the world in their own way, from their own minds, own hearts, own opinions, own imaginations and own final definitive opinions--all the while the Bible stands out as the most influential book ever written. 

"How can you say that?"

Think of the great men and women of faith who wrote and are writing to and for the glory of God. We're talking centuries and centuries of writings based on the God of the Trinity at their core. That means thousands and thousands, maybe millions of essays, novels, dissertations, thesis, books of principal, books on doctrine, attributes, man-to-God relationship, salvation,sin, grace, prayer, etc.

These men and women wrote and write un-policed, Scripturally inspired works that many hated and still hate. People go so far as to call this kind of writing extreme, radical and fairy tale like. Isn't it funny that all of that work is inspired by one single book: The Bible. 

Thousands of people have written books that are inspired by their reading of one book, the same book. Thousands of people have debated, for thousands of years, the validity of one book. Multitude's of people have spent significant amounts of time and energy trying disprove one book to the point that they're recycling and repackaging arguments that have already fallen like a house of cards. Still, the book still stands. It's still the most widely printed and I'm certain you can still find one in just about every hotel and motel room in America (unless you're in Vegas or something). 

The Bible is the most influential book ever written. It's impenetrable and it's stood the test of time. 

pray or die

Sermon: Love: God's and Ours

The motive and essence of the love of God  is a topic that's been debated and discussed in many circles, including Christian ones. Prayerfully, this sermon communicates an accurate, scripturally based picture of God's love and its infinite distinction from any finite and tainted definition.

Text: 1 John 4:7-12

Main Points
1. God’s love is not like the world’s human definition of love, which many of us have obliviously come to absorb and hold to.

2. God’s love is seen in the Gospel. (1 John 4:9-10)

3. Because God is love, this affects the motive and goal of His love towards us, and it should affect our motives as well. (John 15:9,1 John 4:11-12; 1 John 4:16,21)

Love: God's and Ours

i saw iron man.

we set out thursday night with initial intentions to see the new documentary on intelligent design by ben stein called "expelled: no intelligence allowed". but, i love super hero movies (cindy likes some and loves mainly one; x-men) so when i saw that "iron man" was actually playing that night instead of friday, its announced released date, i said, "babe! babe! iron man is playing! we have to see it! it's iron man babe! iron man. . ."
"oh yay! okay," she said, "let's see that."
so, we paid to see the new marvel comic studios production of iron man. needless to say i was extremely excited. i love superhero movies; i love the biographical journey of becoming wolverine (can't wait for that one) or superman, the hulk, batman, or in this case, iron man. i'm tuned in. i was nudging cindy periodically and whispering my excitement and anticipation in her ear, "look babe. he's becoming ironman. . .he's building it!" there's was a point when the movie died down after a very intense beginning and cindy thought it was over. "over? no way!," i said, "it's just beginning. he hasn't even become iron man yet."
i won't spoil the film for anyone who reads this and might have the same esteem for superhero flicks as i do. i give the movie a 4.5 out of 5 stars (just because i'm saving my 5 for the wolverine movie that comes out next year).
so we're leaving the movie and i still kind of beguiled and excited about what we just watched. then, i felt something like conviction, at least i thought it was conviction. conviction for, even for a moment, exalting someone or something other than God in my mind. and as we were driving away i asked God to help me see the movie through a God centered lens. i asked Him to make good out of what i was just entertained by and for Him to be glorified in my thoughts over and above a fictional character.
i thought; people (including myself) are fascinated by fictional superheroes because most of them are just ordinary men and women who have extraordinary powers and abilities. "oh look, it's a normal man. no! wait! there's claws coming from his hands! wow!"
many a minds are captivated by the "superness" of these ordinary looking human beings. but, the excitement dies down when we're halted by the realization that they're not real and they're just fictional.
somewhere in my thought process revelation 22:20 came to mind, where Jesus says, "Surely I am coming soon." then revelation 19:11-16 where John talks about Jesus coming back on a white horse with a sword coming from His mouth etc. . .i'm aware of the fact that much of these descriptions are john reaching for something that best described what it was he was actually seeing. none the less, if you read it you get the sense that this Christ is not coming as He came the first time, He'll come back with evident power, with blood on His robe (wow) and a white hot passion for clearing His name. His coming will be bright and superb and dramatic. His coming, and even now, His present reality and eternal existence is real and far succeeds the fictional powers had by some two-dimensional superhero penned from the imaginations of men.
God was answering my prayer. He was turning my gaze away from flimsy entertainment to the bold reality of Jesus Christ, who's power and force isn't created or imagined, but completely real. frighteningly real.

although iron man was entertaining, it was a man's attempt to captivate the imaginations of others using the story of an ordinary man who does extraordinary things. scripture on the other hand, tells the factual story of a man who posses all the capabilities and powers comic writers and super hero fans fanaticize about, and who will one day come back and unveil this power and authority for all to see.
one day soon, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.
That's captivating.

lookin' forward

to whoever reads this, i wanted to give a heads up on what i'm planning(james 4:13-17) on posting over the next few days (or weeks). i'm planning on doing several (i don't know how many several is) blogs on the conscience and christian liberties and everything that kind of floats around that area of focus. i've started one and i can tell already that i'm going to need to devote some time to it and it will probably take a few posts to get everything that i'd like to spill, out. i'm guessing, based on my current train of thought that this topic(s) will spark other related topics so. . .i'll guess we'll just have to see then. . .

that's an update. . .back to your regularly scheduled program.

the "death" in christianity

reading through the bible; specifically paul's letters, you see that christianity has a lot to do with death and dying before we actually die and cross the chasm into eternity with Jesus. this dying is a tough task. i wrote a poem about it. it's called "decay". here it is.

decay

there was a groom,
married in the day
who took his vows
and uttered antecedents to decay.

people watched
and people smiled
people took their pictures
of his bright and lively eyes

he walked the upward aisle
pockets empty
onto roads of burning fire.

all were watchers of the day
when death itself went on display
where pretty words and licking flames
would burn the life right from his veins.

hearts would grow
and blood would spill
and Love Himself would have him killed.

a pretty lady stands on stacks of pedestals

he chases death
following His Predecessor’s scars

and dare he try
to live again
he’ll die a lie and kill his fragile lover dead
and mock the day
all came to see
the day that death went on display

the day when vows and
pretty words
were antecedents to decay.

encouraged by my giant predecessor in the fight: jonathan edwards

i'm reading a biography on jonathan edwards by stephen j. nichols. in the book he lists some life long resolutions that edwards kept for himself. they are found in their entirety in his work called Resolutions (keepin' it simple...nice).
i thought i'd post the one's that jumped out at me and prayerfully i, and anyone else who reads this, can be resolved to do these kinds of things in our own life while we're on this side of things. here they are.

1) resolved, that i will do whatsoever i think to be the most to God's glory, and my own good, profit, and pleasure in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. resolved to do whatsoever i think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. resolved to do this, whatever difficulties i meet with, how many and how great soever.

2) resolved, to live with all my might, while i do live.

3) resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful i may be.

4) let there be something of benevolence in all that i speak.

"Who Is Like Our God!" (Sermon on Micah)

Micah prophesied in Judah during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (around 750-700 B.C.) This was a time of distinct poverty and wealth because the middle class of Israel had been exploited and thus smudged out ( I thought of the “Gilded Age”) . “Business” was booming for the rich and it wasn’t for the poor. But, this success, and wealth was not positive; the greedy landlords were oppressing the poor and plotting evil and malicious ways to gain wealth from the time they woke up (2:1) and these people were supported by Israel’s political and religious leaders. The religious leaders of Israel were leading people away from God, taking bribes and preaching and teaching in God’s name, for money instead of God. Consequently, this crookedness of the leaders trickled down to the rest of the nation and so the whole nation became morally corrupt and “ripe” for God’s judgment. And so, God sends his servant Micah.

Two Reasons to listen:
1) If you don’t understand God’s wrath and His hatred for sin you’ll never fully and properly understand the Gospel and God’s amazing love. If you don’t understand God’s love for you in Jesus than you’ll never be able to shake the guilt of think that God is against and hates you because you mess up, everyday.
2) So that you won’t stop praying for unsaved friends and family members and co-workers.

Here's a brief outline:

1) Chap1:1- 3:12 (Punishment and Retribution)
Prediction of Judgment

2) Chap 4:1-5-15 (Promise and Restoration)
Prediction of Restoration


3) Chap 6:1- 7:20 (Pardon and Repentance)
Plea for Repentance

"Micah- Who Is Like Our God!"

what a character. . .

i have a question that i have written down in one of my many journals. it's not imperative that i get a definite answer, i just thought of it. here's my question:

in sunday school they always told us we were learning about Bible "characters", and sometimes people ask, "who's your favorite Bible character?" why do they call them Bible "characters"? they're not characters, they were and are real people.


character |ˈkariktər|
noun
a person in a novel, play, or movie.
• a part played by an actor.
• [with adj. ] a person seen in terms of a particular aspect of character : he was a larger-than-life character | shady characters.

a false dichotomy. . .

i was in the company of friends last night and one friend (call him friend 1) made a point that reminded me of a point that another friend (call him friend 2) made to me a while ago. friend 1 was sharing with us how he had another friend who loved to read. i think of his brain like a sponge with particularly selective pours that only love to soak up the things of God; doctrine, theology, books on church history etc... these are good things to saturate your mind with. then, friend 1 said something that stuck out , "reading all those books is pointless if your not doing them in the lives of others and your own life." this is one of those times where some people might go,"mmmm....yea...yea...that's true, that's true." and in my head i said that. it is true, isn't it?
so, i was sitting at home today and i was thinking about what friend 1 said. and i remembered that friend 2, while him and i were driving down ridge avenue in manayunk, towards germantown, said almost the same thing to me. i was telling him about something i'd been discussing with my fiance (now my wife). it had to do with a family member of hers who she said was reading more theology than he was practical/applicational/devotional literature. i asked friend 2 if he thought there should be a balance of the two or if there was a real difference etc.
he said, "i know what you mean but i think there's a false dichotomy there."
"a false dichotomy", i said.
he said something like, 'mmhmm. because, the theology that we read should be applicational and devotional, not merely informative'
two friends, in my opinion, of model character and two friends i agree with. both positions come from the same primary base and both of them convicted me when i heard them. most of my reading is what many might call "theology" or "doctrine"; in my opinion, and experience many people defer to certain authors as "theological" or men who write mostly "doctrine" if the authors are: 1)dead and white 2)wrote during the 1600-1800's 3)probably were puritans 4) and probably reformed. but, when i read these authors who do indeed pack their literature with heavy doses of theology, i feel closer to God, i realize i'm learning and growing in the knowledge of Christ, i'm stirred up to tell people about Him not the book i read (even though i might), and by God's grace i'm eager to live those "doctrinal" and "theological" principals out in my life.
i know from my own life that there's a danger in reading books, any books, solely for the purpose of gaining knowledge. the primary danger is that you'll begin to idolize knowledge and you plant seeds that could grow into you becoming an arrogant, apathetic, irritable tadpole head (all head and know body) christian who likes to only talk about all the books he's reading. you also run the risk of indirectly worshipping the authors or author your reading. when you think about it, it's really a scary place to be because you may not even know your there. this is a potential risk. it doesn't mean that it happens to everyone who reads books with strong theological and doctrinal content and it doesn't mean that the people i know who read them a arrogant, apathetic or have tadpole heads. in fact, the guys i do know who are reading these kinds of books are, as far as i can tell are humble guys who really love God and love His church.

so, i'm thinking that, as a christian, if i'm going to be a doer of the Word, than i ought to carry that command from scripture into my reading of books that are centered around the God of the Word.

James 1:21-27

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

another seat in the poetry corner

cindy and i are over friends. as a matter of fact, jason is a "model blogger". he's a faithful blogger. a consistent blogger. if i were going to write a book on blog doctrine jason would be my main source of reference. i'm blogging now because he's in front of me and his faithfulness to the craft (blogging) is convicting and i feel it's only proper that i post something. a link to his blog is on the right hand side of my page.

here's a poem. enjoy. soli deo gloria

perverts, pigeons and lambs
(Lev 12, Ez 16, Lk 2:22-24, John 1:16)


all the perverts
everyone who’s one and all
are born awash with filthy blood
guilty drunks abased and strung
out out out
oh so far away from home

and all we have are turtle doves and pigeons
we can’t afford the lamb

could never
young or old
the perverts prove their poverty
we’re born sold

dancing in our shackles
sick with pompous punch
lies that line our pockets thick and down
the perverts dance as if we’re rich

and all we have are turtle doves and pigeons
we can’t afford the lamb

the perverts bought the hook and scam
and ran and ran
pocket lined with lies and damned
with turtle doves and pigeons

when eccentricity
stabbed the perverts in their chest
drank the red eyed cup and pain
exchanged their rancid blood and veins
cut their pockets
out fell change
mere change
cut their chains

the perverts poor with turtle doves and pigeons
sick with punch, chained and sold

met contrition

and dropped their turtle doves and pigeons
to sing and dance a new dance
before luminescent Lamb.

the day the doctrine of justification punched my guilt in the gut.

there was a day when i understood the doctrine of justification through a very systematic lense. i, no doubt, believed in it and was most certainly justified (and still am) but the way i see it now, the potency of God's justification didn't have the fragrance it now has. i'd listen to men i look up to talk about it (older men) and it seemed that they were overwhelmed with it in a different way than i was. granite these men have had more time to look into this mystery than i have at twenty-three years of age. nonetheless, i saw it and said, "man LORD, i want to see it like that. i want to read romans 8:30 and Ephesians 2 and see the freedom in it. i want to read those passages and know that my unnecessary guilt doesn't have to be because i am justified and i do good works for God without feeling as though i have something to prove to the God who already knows i'm dust." i prayed this and continue to pray it.

i read an article in "modern reformation" magazine titled "does justification still matter". the article dealt with the fact that the true doctrine of justification has taken a back seat in american "evangelicalism" and been replaced by this mixture of, sanctification by works + ten steps to. . . + pull yourself up by your own christian boot straps + emotional experiences and urges overriding the guidance and certainties provided in the Bible + my personal relationship with Jesus + "yes we're justified but. . ." now i knew, prior to reading the article that america has been plagued by this strange equation so that wasn't what "punched me". i have this thing in my brain that often plagues me (as i'm sure many do) that because i've sinned and because i'm a sinner, i can't do anything for God because it's not "holy enough" and it's done with mixed motives or something stupid like that. you follow? now, systematically i knew this was wrong, but experientially i couldn't get it past me. it was what i read in this magazine that "punched me" in a way that was freeing. almost like the wind of my disabling guilt was knocked free from my stomach. the expert of the article read as follows:

According to the account thus far, justification is not the first stage of the Christian life, but the constant wellspring of sanctification and good works. Luther summarizes, "'Because you believe in me,' God says, 'and your faith takes hold of Christ, whom I have freely given to you as your Justifier and Savior, therefore be righteous.' Thus God accepts you or accounts you righteous only on account of Christ, in whom you believe." (38) Whatever other piece of good news (concerning the new birth, Christ's conquest of sin's tyranny and promise to renew us throughout our life, the resurrection of our body and freedom from the presence of sin), much less the useful exhortations that we may offer, the announcement that Luther here summarizes alone creates and sustains the faith that not only justifies but sanctifies as well.

Good works now may be freely performed for God and neighbors without any fear of punishment or agony over the mixed motives of each act. Because of justification in Christ, even our good works can be "saved," not in order to improve either God's lot or our own, but our neighbor's. As Calvin explains,

But if, freed from this severe requirement of the law, or rather from the entire rigor of the law, they hear themselves called with fatherly gentleness by God, they will cheerfully and with great eagerness answer, and follow his leading. To sum up: Those bound by the yoke of the law are like servants assigned certain tasks for each day by their masters. These servants think they have accomplished nothing and dare not appear before their masters unless they have fulfilled the exact measure of their tasks. But sons, who are more generously and candidly treated by their fathers, do not hesitate to offer them incomplete and half-done and even defective works, trusting that their obedience and readiness of mind will be accepted by their fathers, even though they have not quite achieved what their fathers intended. Such children ought we to be, firmly trusting that our services will be approved by our most merciful Father, however small, rude, and imperfect these may be. . . . And we need this assurance in no slight degree, for without it we attempt everything in vain. (39)
"Because of justification," adds Ames, "the defilement of good works does not prevent their being accepted and rewarded by God." (40)
Not only does such a view properly ground works in faith, it also frees believers to love and serve their neighbors apart from the motive of gaining or fear of losing divine favor. It liberates us for a world-embracing activism that is deeply conscious that although our love and service contribute nothing to God and his evaluation of our persons, they are, however feebly, half-heartedly, and imperfectly performed, means through which God cares for creation.

after reading that i turned to Rom 5 and Rom 8:30 and Eph 2 and read it with a feeling of liberation. i felt freed up to do good works for God's glory without guilt and joyous because i've been justified by Christ. yes, there is still guilt and guilt is not all together bad, in fact i've heard it quoted from (i think jonathan edwards) "let your guilt be much". if it weren't for guilt i wouldn't know i was guilty and i wouldn't know i've sinned against God. but i think this kind of guilt is better known as conviction and so it leads believers to repentance. so yes, i am still guilty but the beauty is God says i'm forgiven. AMAZING! CONFOUNDING! because i'm forgiven and loved by God i'm free to ask for more grace and do good works for God and others without fear that He will or will not love me any less or any more. i'm free to live for God, as broken and as imperfect as i may be, i'm free! i took a deep breath as the Cross gave a blow to the self-condemning knot in my stomach and praised God for the Gospel! in the words of a dear and beloved brother of mine, "it feels so good to be justified". and it does.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him form the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have new received reconciliation. (Rom 5:6-11)

I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the LORD, that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord God. (Ezekial 16:62-63)

Here's a link to the online line issue of "Modern Reformaiton" where the article came from: "The Art of Self-Justificaiton"

Christian Conduct

this is a short topical study/discussion i wrote while in college. these things have been on my heart recently and i feel this still pin points my thoughts concerning christian conduct.


Christian Conduct
“There is a way that all believers should live.”

Rom 1:16-17
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
2 Tim 2:1-13
A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.


Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Holiness

Holiness is the standard which Christians are commanded and instructed to live by. Scripture makes this clear; and it’s our standard as believers because the Father is completely holy and Christ is bar that we’re reaching for. The bar’s never moved (Mal 3:6) so we as believers need to strive to be unstained with the worlds views (2 Tim 2:4) and even the leniency on Christian conduct in many Christian circles and the emerging seeker friendly movement (2 Tim 4:3). Submitting to the Word of God with humility should be the focus of the believer; God’s Word is where the standard for righteous behavior is found. And that standard of holy living is there for an extremely important reason—that others might see your life and see Christ in you and because of that and hearing the gospel, come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:1-4).

Lev 11:44
“For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.”

“His holy character has something to say about economics, politics, athletics, romance—everything with which we are involved…We dare not seek to avoid it. There can be no worship, no spiritual growth, no true obedience without it. It defines our goal as Christians…To reach that goal, we must understand what holiness is”

(R.C. Sproul –The Holiness of God)

holy is “separate”, “a cut apart”. The dictionaries definition doesn’t do God’s holiness justice because His holiness stands alone, it’s transcendent. In short, He is an infinite cut above everything and everyone else.
“He is so far above and beyond us that He seems almost totally foreign to us. To be holy is to be “other”, to be different in a special way.” (Sproul)

1 Peter 1: 13-25
Called to Be Holy
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for

"All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever."
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Traditions

1 Cor 11:1-2
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.

Jude 1:3
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (The entire book of Jude would be good to pull things from)

- Don’t throw out all tradition simply because the Christian faith is an ancient faith. (ex: communion, fellowship, procedures for disputes in the body, etc…)
- So, there are good traditions to hold to.

There are also bad and unbiblical traditions:

- Novelty, which says that all tradition is bad and everything has to be new. Ex: The modern seeker friendly movement which seeks to make everybody happy. As a result does things like, changing scripture so that everyone can relate, doing away with good traditions in order to conform to the times. Scripture makes this clear:
2 Timothy 4:1-5
I 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, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Jesus himself rebukes the Pharisees for embracing tradition instead of the word of God:

Matt 15:1-9
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat." He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.' But you say, 'If anyone tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is given to God, 6he need not honor his father.' So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

"'This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

- So to embrace tradition over the Word of God is legalistic. It shows a misunderstanding of grace. God will not love you more because you’re disciplined in your practice of traditions; He already loves you with infinite measure because of the Cross of Christ. You can’t make Him like you more, love you more and you can’t add anything to salvation; your salvation is complete in Jesus Christ. We as imperfect sinners and failures bring nothing to the table but our failure and sin and God does the saving and the sanctifying.
- The Christian life is a heart issue, the externality of traditions is hypocrisy if your heart is not right. How does your heart look? Are you praying and striving to live a holy life when nobody is looking? Do you do things out of a love for God or out of a desire to be disciplined for the sake of tradition?

goin' on a prayer drive.

wow! my last blog had a lot of typo's. i was going to repost it but i figured it didn't matter. big day on saturday; a friend and i (and maybe another friend) are going to drive through the illadelph. normally they call them prayer walks but we're driving so it's a prayer drive. looking forward to praying for the city in which we're on mission.
makes me think (again) that the illadelph is really ill and since i can't think of anything deep and insightful to say i'm postin' two verses from a jam i wrote about two years ago called "sinsill". i'd post the actual song but i can't upload audio on here...at least i don't know how. you're thoughts and biblical criticism is welcome.

This sickness/ called sin looks satisfying but it’s never gratifying is it?/ for intense/ my own kinship/ thinks pills and dollar bills will satisfy the itches/ and sin is the reason why this persons outta riches/ forgiveness is witnessed/ but they’d rather have prescriptions/ I pray/ prostrate everyday that God’s grace will embrace my family’s lost faith/ even Christians/ think prayin’ isn’t remedy for worryin’ or burryin’ their scitzin’/ cause sin smells so good like Stetson/ it doesn’t disagree with reasoning or even eve-enings/ with counseling/ it seems to answer all your questions/ for how to stop stressin’/ suggestin’/ drink this/ eat this/ see this?/ you need this/ it’s offering is awfully awesome/ it’ll offer you lots more/ as long as your not talkin’ to Jesus/ it’ll offer you self-help/ and books for health, wealth/ but these are hell’s helpers idols/ man please!/ I can see right through it/ sin just doesn’t want you readin’ the BIBLE!/ CHRISTIANS WE GOTTA FIGHT IT!/ man’s dyin’/ the answer to this fire is the blood of the Messiah/ salt and light should be applied cause many got their eyes on us/ with their eyes on us/ we wanna show em’ who to trust/ Jesus/ for survival/sin is virus/inside em’/ IT’S

KILLIN’ MANY BODY’S/ SIN IS BLINDIN’ MANY/ WHILE IT’S POLITICIN’ POLICIES AND HYPIN’ UP THE KAMAKAZI’S/ IT’S LEADING FOR WORLD GREATEST DISEASES/ IT’S EVIL AND REAKING/ THE WORLD NEEDS JESUS!/ HE’S THE NEEDLE/ FOR THIS SICKNESS INFECTION INFLICTED ADDICTION/ THE WORLD NEEDS JESUS/ HE’S THE NEEDLE/ FOR THIS SICKNESS INFECTION INFLICTED ADDICTION/ THE WORLD NEEDS JESUS/

The world’s confused so I’m vocal/ amused in a choke hold/ but loco/ look what they put their hope in/ yoga/ buddah/ allah/ muhammed/ moguls with money/ hip-hop/ ghandi/ popes/ princes/ all of em’ sinful/ yet their convinced that forgiveness is in them/ books on chakra’s/ finite conquerors/ sins on they conscious/ so everything is conscious/ deep nonsense/ sins slime is inside men’s minds and infiltrating conduct/ sin’s lying/ with dime bags to price tags on many things cause anything is everything we’re buyin’/ sin tricks us/ from mixtures/ perdictions/ addictions and wish-ful thinking to lost scriptures/ all missing the picture/ that Jesus is simple/ but scholars perplexed don’t get this/ how a God can just wash away sin and forgiveness comes in at the price of repentance/ Grace is something philosophy won’t get you/ sins hits you with things that can cloud up your mental/ but God’s sentiment sent us his Son stricken/ for drug lords, thugs, whores, muslims and wickens/ nobody’s good cause

listening to love with the best seat in the house...

my wife and i went to "first friday fundamentals" last night, a gathering at epiphany fellowship. the topic was love. a weighty topic to say the least and the man about to preach admitted that he felt three years of research were needed to preach on the topic aright, he was given three weeks.
the room was packed, packed tighter than usual and maybe because of who was speaking but i like to think it's because Christ would the topic of conversation and proclamation. my line of sight was obstructed by two gigantic speakers and a pillar so seeing the brother up front was impossible. normally i like to see whoever talking; to see their facial expressions, their joy, their sadness, they boldness, their own amazement as their ministered to from God's word while ministering to others. but, thanks to the speaker and the pillar that was out of the question (i was glad for the pillar thought because it held the ceiling up). then i realized the visual congestion was good. even though the past few years have left me less and less "star struck" to the "who's who's" in the micro-fibers and subcultures of christianity (a whole separate blog in itself) my heart still wouldn't have the chance to be distracted by the man preaching or the very vibrant, very unique and creative hoodie he was wearing. so, i settled in to hear the love of God exposited (is that a word?).
he hit on three points and i hope i remember them correctly. i list them and then share how the convicted me, challenged me and encouraged me.

1) God's love is effectual and affectionate
2) God's love is carried out in community
3) God's love assumes detestation

God's love most certainly is effectual. it never misses and it always accomplishes what it sets out to do(Is. 46:8-10, 55:11, Rom 8:30). that wasn't the part that struck, i knew that and know that. i see that in scripture. that's a doctrine i get and believe with all my heart. what got me was that His love was affectionate. His effectualness and his affection go together. and his affection is obscure. obscure because He chooses to love sinners. isn't there a song that talks about "strange grace"? if there isn't there should be because a holy God's love and grace towards wicked, detestable, God-hating men and women most certainly is obscure, and this love and grace are received in the moment that a sinner trusts in Christ and all that He accomplished in His life, death, burial and resurrection.
so i thought of God's affection and my affection for God and then my affection for my neighbor (Lev. 19:18; Lk 10:25-37). i thought of how my affection and charity for others is a reflection of my love for God. i thought of my affection and love for people while i'm around them and my love and affection for those same people when i'm home alone with time to think of them and intercede for them. i was convicted and asked God to illuminate His word, as He illuminates my eyes and my heart so that my love for others in community and in private will be true and right and pleasing to Him. if you were there maybe you had some of the same things go on inside of your heart and mind.
we live in an individual, "ten-personal step" american society. it's a selfish society because naturally we're selfish people. consequently we have to be redeemed and changed in order to see God,things and people the way we out. God in His trinity is a perfect community so it's only fitting and biblical that we operate in close, intimate community ( i won't site any scripture here, just read the whole old testament, the book of acts, and paul's letters...the importance of community should punch you right in the face).
i thought of my experience with community, my sinful inclination to avoid some of the harder things that come with community (challenge, accountability) and i thought of my current situation concerning community. i'm a part of a fairly green church plant and the congregation is mostly made up of green believers who are brand new to the things of God. this is new and it's difficult at times so i prayed and asked God to guide me and show me how i ought to operate in it. i asked Him to give me a greater passion for His people and a passion to see more people who aren't His people become His people, and a passion to pour into and have my wife and i poured into by His people. if you were there maybe you had some of those same thoughts in your heart and your mind.
God's love assumes detestation. this was a big one for me. love for God assumes hatred for everything that is not God. maybe i said that wrong; true love for God means that you love nothing and no one more than God. my jumps as i'm writing this because i can remember when i was six years old (and i think unsaved) and my mother was holding me in her arms and she said, "anthony, sometimes i think i love you more than God." and at six years old i got angry with her, from what i can remember i was livid. "NEVER!!!", i said "NEVER MOM! NEVER! NEVER, EVER, EVER love anything more than God mom. EVER!" i will never forget that moment because at six years old i don't think i was saved but for some reason i got what Jesus was saying when he said, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." i got, at six! and i recognized the danger in putting mere people before the God, the people creator and at six i warned my mother never to do that.
i thought of how i'm prone to and do that now. especially being newly married. i prayed that Christ's supremacy would be supreme in my heart and reflect in my life. i prayed that those whom i love and those things that i enjoy would have their place in place and their place would never supersede the place that Christ commands to have in my heart. when my love for God does not assume detestation and hatred for things and people other than Him i become an idolator, a bad leader and a fluffy, people pleasing social activist, humanitartian who's witness loses it's power because it's more focused on only loving people instead of loving God and His gospel and having my love of people flow from Him. maybe if you were there you thought and felt the same kinds of things in your heart and in your mind.
i need to go. my wife and i are having some people over the crib and we need to start cooking. pray that God would be glorified in our time spent with others. so glad i could finally blog something for real for real. jason will probably be the first to read this...love you bro. praise God for the new baby comin'!

grace and peace

ant

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!

"For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?"
"Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?"

For from his and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

a nugget because i never have time

i never seem to have time to drop off a decent blog. mostly because i'm newly married and i have other important things to tend to. i also don't have internet access at the crib. so, i'm posting a poem for your pondering and introspection. my wife tells me that she can't understand them all the time. hit me with a comment or a question about what you think or what you don't think...

זנה (zä·nä')

Oh Putter Together
Put her together
Put her together
Again again.

Oh Putter Together
She’s worn from the weather
Put her together
Again again.


Oh Putter Tgether
There’s stains on her dress
Ached with regress
Put her together again
put her together
Oh Putter Together
Again again.


pining cries
she hides her head,
fettered from her empty fall

trembling at her apprehensions,
baffled by her pieces strewn
all along her bent pretenses

merry-went-round and down again
found in foreign arms

Putter together
Put her
together
again

again

just in case you read this. . .

i realize that almost nobody reads these posts, and if they do then no one comments. consequently, i haven't posted in quite a while. last night i was at men's group with the brothers from my sunday gathering and it was made especially clear to me from the mouth of a good friend that i definitely "need to start blogging again".
so i'm blogging again and i will post periodically. i'm hoping to make my blogs more personal, more introspective and written from more of a missional bent. prayerfully people will be encouraged, and pushed toward Christ and not man.
i'm going home with my wife to bake chocolate chip cookies and watch dvd's on our sexy flat screen t.v.
much love.
grace and peace
ant