I Like "Old Stuff". It's Better.

Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old

Psalm 25:6

I'm young, as a matter of fact, today someone addressed me as a young man. I agree, I am young; twenty-four is young, wouldn't you say so? Here's the funny thing--most of what I really like and love is old (expect for my wife, she's young like me). 

Here's what I mean:

1) I love the Triune God, He's been around since forever and still makes all things new. Funny how that works huh?

2) I love the Bible, it's thousands of years old and filled with Truth that's stood the test of time. That truth is still applicable today, in a world that's 'new' everyday. It comes with new tricks, new trends, new temptations and new ideas everyday. Of coarse, that old book (the Bible) says that nothing is new. See what I mean. . .

3) I like books about old truths written by old dead guys (J. Edwards, Burroughs, Owen, Wesley, Watson, Bunyan, Spurgeon, Baxter etc.)

4) I like books by old guys, who aren't dead, but love the old dead guys I like, and for the same reasons

5) I like old hymns, written by old dead men and women, because most times they pack a lot of that old Truth into their songs. Hymns rich with old Truth never get old in my opinion. I especially like when young, 'new' guys like myself take those old hymns and put them to new music. A new song, sung to the God of old. Bangin.

6) All of the richest, most sage and Scripturally sound advice I've received over the years has come from someone who was "old" or at least older than myself. I'm not saying that young people can't give wise advice, have wisdom or offer counsel and guidance, it's just that. . .well. . .I've found that older people have helped me more than young people like myself. I don't want to look in a mirror when I need advice, someone looking back through the window of their life and into mine seems better.

7) I wonder I'll be like when and if I grow old. How will the God of old have grown this young man up into an old man, for His glory? 

Praise God that he's turned this young man onto old Truths. Especially in a world where people my age are clinging to the "next best thing". 

Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.

Psalm 74:2

   

Spring Training Is Here

Being a Philadelphia sports fan is anything but easy. At times, I'm not sure it's even very fun. Every season (specifically Football season) is filled with let down after let down and high expectations followed by great disappointments. Call me a cynic, a skeptic, pessimist, I won't dispute that, but, I can't remember the last time I've had a feeling of refreshment entering a season in Philadelphia sports. 

The Phillies won the World Series last season and they're entering this upcoming season with their entire championship team intact (plus a couple of additions)--very exciting. Citizens Bank Park is one the nicest venues to watch a ball game at, baseball season is 162 games long and for the first time in a long time (maybe ever, given my age) I can be genuinely excited about something sports related, instead of just hesitantly hopeful. 

On top of it all, what's most refreshing is the fact that God can redeem passions for things like sports and competition and by His grace, put them where they belong. Biblical truths can be gleaned from this season and while celebration and fanaticism can be blown out of proportion and taken to unhealthy heights, believers can look forward to the day when celebration will be made perfect. A day when we will celebrate, fully, the One who is most worthy of our celebration and praise.

 

A Successful Second Boo Lovin' Day

Today was a great "Boo Lovin' Day". Granted, everyday is (and should be) Boo Lovin' Day for my wife and I, but today was special. I can remember our last Boo Lovin' Day--we'd only been married for a little under three months and it was more or less a "gift day",i.e., you give a gift, I give a gift, I hope you like my gift. Instead of, an actual day filled with momentous moments. Today was a day like the latter.My original plan for Boo Lovin' Day was foiled by that mighty meteorological foe to ingenious plans ( the weather). I was hopeful it would be a nice day like the couple we had earlier in the week; sadly, it was not and I was off to Plan B. 

My wife enjoys "different" things, things that she's never seen before. For those of you who are thinking, "What is different? Different can mean something different for everyone." I understand that, and all that matters to me is that I know what different is for my wifey and that's all that matters. Amen? Amen. So, as I concocted my Plan B I tried to envision things that would make my boo go, "Oh wow, how neat!" or "Babe! I have to take a picture of this!" (she loves to take pictures) and other excited reactions like those. It had to be somethings indoors because she can't stand being out in the cold for too long--that ruins her whole experience, and if we were going to be indoors it'd have to be something that would keep her interested and keep us talking. It also had to be as cost efficient as I could get it--if she knows I spent too much money on it, it might be looming in the back of her mind and take away from her enjoyment of the day. Here's what I came up with. I'll call it, "Boo Lovin' Day in Bucks County"

1) A Self Guided Tour of The Mercer Museum 

(Lots of obscure items from the everyday lives of 18th and 19th century Americans, all collected by a man named Henry Mercer. Some 40,000 objects and 55 rooms to be more precise. This was a great place for us to talk about the things we were looking at and for my wife to get some really nice photos (I'll show you my favorite photo at the end of this post).

2) A guided tour of Henry Mercers home/castle

(This place was amazing. It's a castle that's made entirely out of cement, and inside, all over the walls, are Henry Mercer's "Moravian Tiles". His tiles tell Biblical stories, stories about Columbus and the discovery of America, and fictional/fantasy type stories. The castle itself, is a work of art. Great tour, great conversation. Lots of "wows" and "cools" from the bride. Unfortunately, she couldn't take pictures inside, but she got some great ones outside.)

3) Some wine and cheese tasting in downtown Doylestown (Minus the wine. . .she doesn't like wine but we both love cheese so it worked out well. Ice Tea was our substitute)

(Great cheese, meats and bread. We had four cheeses on our plate, with grapes, almonds, salami, pepperoni and fresh bread. The only killer was the softer, more strong cheese we had on our plate. In her words, "Oh no babe, it tastes like poop smells." Everyone's pallet is a little different.) 

4) A conversation over Vanilla Rooibos tea and Four Chocolate Hot Cocoa at Starbucks

All in all a wonderful day with the woman I've been blessed to love and care for. Praise God for the Gospel of Grace and His redemptive power, working in all areas of life!

My favorite of all her pictures today; I love the asymmetry of it. She takes great pictures.

It's Like A "Good" Trap

I love books. Since I've been a Christian and introduced to the Doctrines of Grace, I have loved books; specifically and simply, books about God and His Kingdom. 

So, it's only fitting that a place filled with hearty, solid, theologically sound books about God would serve as a lavish feast for the mind of my heart--Today was a day that I found a feast of that kind.

This is place that I've ventured before. The strapping quality of the bookstore's content was no surprise; that's why I went in the first place. This time, I went with a friend. We were undoubtedly going for the same reason--it's like a candy store for people who love theology and Gospel-centered resources. 

In the back of my mind I knew what I was walking into. It's a trap, a good trap, but a trap nonetheless. My eyes and my mind grow much bigger than my wallet when I walk between the shelves of this "treasure chest" of a room. 

Picking up a copy of John Stott's The Cross of Christ, I lean to my friend,"Oooh bro! I've been wanting to get this."

"Mmmmmmm. Bangin', bangin' book bro," my friend replies assuredly.

(This kind of verbal exchange continues for our entire time in the bookstore.)

As I browsed I thought to myself, "Wow. This is a trap. For me, it feels like a good trap. I am surrounded by thousands of books that will help point towards my God and help me in my service to Him. If it weren't for the grace of God this wouldn't be a trap at all. In fact, I probably would never enter, let alone know of, any bookstore like this one. I want almost everything I see on the shelves. Thankyou God."

The trick is getting out without breaking the budget. Going with friends is usually the key to that (that and phoning my wife every ten minutes and asking her to tell me not to be buy the $18 dollar book today).

"Just push me towards the register please. Push me away from the books and towards the register bro," is usually the way I like to work my way out the door.

Today, I made it out of the "good" trap with three books. Two for me and one for a friend.

The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter

Charity and Its Fruits by Jonathan Edwards 

A Commentary on The Sermon on the Mount by James M. Boice

Praise God for "good" traps like this one, along with Godly friends and a wife who push me towards discipline, self-control and moderation when I walk into my favorite bookstore.

Nothing is New: Killa, Commercial, Braggadocios, Gangster Rap in Genesis 4

Reading through Genesis, I saw proof that nothing is new and sin is old. 

I'll post the specifics on "Killa, Commercial, Braggadocios, Gangster Rap in Genesis 4" tomorrow.