I Heard a Great Idea Today

I'm kind of known for "discovering" mundane things that everyone else already knows. "Hey! Did you know water FREEZES when it gets cold?! It's the neatest thing!" (I'm pretty dense at times.)

A lady on our local Christian radio station suggested that we all "Pray-in the New Year." Rather than watching a ball drop or kissing on someone, take that moment and spend it with Our Lord. I think that's a great idea!

(Of course, now I'll find out that huge portions of the Body of Christ have been doing this for centuries... Tra-la-la! [Flip of the hair!])

I still think it's a great idea...

Happy New Year and God Bless You!

Llama Llama

Last night I had to give the message at a gathering of Christians, so I used the Llama post that I put up yesterday. When I told "the Llama joke" everyone just sat there looking at me. A few had scrunched up eyebrows as they tried to understand what was funny. The rest just didn't get it (or weren't listening?)

One lady in particular had a really rough time with it. You could just see that she was really, really trying to understand why that was funny and you could see that it was really annoying her that she "didn't get it." I finished the message and we then did another 30 minutes of services. As we were packing up and leaving she was still trying to understand the Llama joke.

This probably speaks volumes about what a jerk I can be, because I was getting really tickled as I watched her wrestle with it. I'm kind of chuckling now that somewhere, today, she is probably still ocassionally coming back to that story and trying to figure out what was so funny about it.

Just as funny to me, is that last night I spent about 15 minutes myself trying to figure out how to explain why that joke's so funny to me. I can't do it. But I'll probably have that same look on my face today as I try to figure that out.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

- Psalm 139:13-14 NIV

I am "fearfully and wonderfully made" (and maybe a little "weird", too!)

Thank you, Lord!

Llamas

Many years ago I got a greeting card from a friend who knew me very, very well. On the front it had a drawing of two Llamas and the cover read:

Two Llamas walk into a bar.

The bartender asks, "What'll you have?"

The first Llama says, "I'll have a beer."

The bartender turns to the second Llama and says, "How about you?"

The second Llama says, "Not thirsty."

You open the card and there's a cartoon of the bartender drying a clean glass and looking at you with a bored expression. The text says,

"Llamas. Go figure."

I've always thought that was the funniest card I've ever read. It just tickles me to pieces. And no one else I know thinks it's funny, except my friend who knew me. I lost that friend many years ago and have always missed her.

I've only had one other friend who has ever known me that well.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.

- John 15:9-17 NIV

It it my heartfelt prayer to have this friend forever.

Evolution in Three, (Count'em 3,) Paragraphs

1) Let's be honest, some of these arguments people use to "support" creation seem like psuedo-science at best and really sound like they're grasping at straws. I often wonder if they aren't more interested in calming their own fears than they are of advancing a credible theory. Some of that stuff is way, way "out there".

2) I believe in God's creation that He described in Genesis. But I still don't know how He did it. A crack-pot theory won't change that fact, (but it can make me seem less credible to others.) There's a lot of peace in learning to say, "I don't know, but I'll trust God."

3) Oh, but that we could re-capture the time wasted in the last 150 years attempting to disprove evolution and re-issue that time proclaiming God's Love and Jesus' Salvation to a lost world. Oh, but that we might now distract less easily from our calling!

"Our " "Wisdom"

I've been yammering about the scientific method and the built-in acknowledgement of the limitations of our best human understanding. You may have read, already, that scientific advancement is predicated upon the proposition that some of what we now know is incomplete or wrong.

Interestingly, there seems to be a parallel process in spiritual growth. Just as scientific knowledge develops by adapting, growing, or invalidating old beliefs, so too does spiritual knowledge. We are admonished in scripture to develop our understanding and wisdom:

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.
The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.
May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!

- Proverbs 23:22-25 NIV

and

"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

- Hebrews 5:11-14 NIV

These passages clearly imply a process that involves moving from less to more knowledge in the affairs of God.

God desires spiritual growth. This isn't to say that we all should be packing up for seminary, because the Bible also tells that any Wisdom we may experience is a gift via the Spirit, therefore I recommend that we remember the limitations that will always be inherent in our knowledge.

If part of what I "know " today is wrong, then how do I know what part is in error? Well, what are the things that I "know" that weren't taught by the Spirit? That's a good place to start looking.

Q: Why look?

"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place."

- Psalm 51:6

A: Because I think He wants us to.

Science-Phobia

Athiests often use "science" to rebuff or intimidate Christians. They do it because it works so very, very well!

We start talking to an atheist about something we know, the Love of Jesus and a relationship with Him, so an athiest "throws the science card". Wham! Next thing you know the Love of Jesus is a distant memory and we're arguing some stupid theory about dinosaurs, evolution, "young Earth" and evidences of a world-wide flood. Lights out! Slam the door! It's over. ("Move along folks, there is nothing to see here...")

And the sad thing is that we act as if people come to Christ "because they encountered an irrefutable scientific proof that satisfied their doubts!"

Not!

C'mon! We could show grainy 8mm film clips of our Almighty Father creating the Earth, but it still wouldn't win these folks to Christ. You aren't going to win them over with a countervailing theory. In fact, when we throw up some half-baked theory that abuses technical information, we undermine our own credibility. Even if our theories are technically sound, they are still subject to the normal process of invalidation that assaults all scientific knowledge on the advance.

Unbelievers often use science as a tool to keep us at a distance because they don't want to know Jesus. (Not the other way around.) They understand better than we that we offer a Lord and Savior, not a theory, and that is exactly what they are trying to avoid! They use our fear of appearing foolish to draw us into unproductive diversions. And we fall for it hook, line and sinker.

Science is usually worshipped as a substitute for the Living God. We were all created to worship! If they reject God, they're still gonna worship something, no matter how silly or contradictory. What did you expect?

If you take a minute to think through what science is, worshipping that knowledge is silly at best. What is intimidating to us about a person worshipping beliefs that they know are incomplete and in error? Science is a terrible substitute for the love and intimacy offered by Our Lord and Savior which we are created to desire.

Scientific atheism generally follows the line that a "Living, Personal, and Loving God" does not exist. Look closely and you'll see some things interesting and consistent throughout these beliefs. Those adherents are generally arguing a negative proposition, ("because I haven't found it, it doesn't exist",) and they are generally using faith-like propositions to support this position. (Usually involving leaps of faith much greater than anything required in Christianity.)

Best of all, you have the perfect rebuttal: Your life! Your life is the evidence of God's existence, (not your arguments.) They may claim that you're superstitious or deluded, but believe me, they're watching to see if it works, because science is a lousy, lousy god!

Sometimes I suspect that Christians get most offended by scientific atheism because deep down in their hearts they're are afraid it may be true. Please don't read judgement into that. I'll be honest, I've known that fear and I understand it. I point this out because our fear of science has to be turned over to God so that He may remove it.

If we let a fear of science intimidate us so that we are argumentative, rather than loving; if we replace God's Love and the Gospel of Salvation with a theory of creation or design-science; if we sink below the high calling we've been given, then one of God's beloved lost children may not find solace in very thing they are starving for: The touch of their Loving Creator.

This must not be. We must overcome our irrational fear of science, for His sake.

Science II - Heartfelt-ly Lost

Several, (maybe by now we could say, "many",) years ago I read Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Weinberg's "Dreams of a Final Theory: The Scientists' Search for the Ultimate Laws of Nature". It was an interesting book for laymen about science and the importance of research initiatives which were pending at that time. It was okay as a "science read", but it had one chapter that struck the chords of my heart.

In that book is a wonderful and touching chapter titled, "What About God?". In that chapter Mr. Weinberg discussed his beliefs that in all of his scientific endeavors he has encountered no evidence that God exists. (If you have doubts about your faith, this one might rattle you to the core.)

What made it most memorable to me was that it seemed to me then to have been written with great personal humility, considerable charity and no apparent over-arching agenda. I've always treasured this essay because I found it to be one of the most human and gentle statements of disbelief I've ever encountered. It seemed to be a very honest statement of "I just don't see it." It touched me in both it's spirit and it's seeming honesty.

Folks, make no mistake, this man does not need a "Creation Science" or "Intelligent Design Theory" to address his needs. We are the evidence he is seeking. Don't ever believe that we can "witness" to him until we are a "witness."

I tremble in the face of the amazing need for God that exists in our fellows. But for God's direction and His use of me, I have no rightful place in that work. But, oh, how the work is needed!

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

- John 4:34-38 NIV

He'll use us, if we but follow.

Science is Built on Ignorance and Error. (Just like it's supposed to be.)

Praise God for science! What a wonderful gift we've been given be able to manipulate and learn about the world around us. I often stand in wonder when I encounter the men and women of scientific aptitude, (and usually greater intelligence,) who teach us the marvels they've witnessed within their given fields of specialty.

I'm also amazed at how touchy we, as believers, have become toward those who propose a world view without Christ as the Savior. I mean, who are we here to lead to Christ, if not the lost? Their lack of believing is what makes them lost! And following our Almighty God in seeking their salvation is an endeavor of faith, not science. Praise God!

So let's get real about what science is and quit being so intimidated by it.

The scientific method is a process whereby new ideas can be explored and tested and advanced or discredited. All scientific advancement is built upon a foundation of overturning or expanding our prior understandings. True science has as it's foundation the core belief that,

"Some of What We Believe Today is Wrong!"

or

"Some of Today's Facts are Tomorrow's Fallacies!"

The scientific method is based upon the premiss that our knowledge today is incomplete and/or incorrect. Were this not true, we would know it all and there would be no role for science, (beyond chicanery.) We don't know it all, so we turn to the scientific method to learn more.

Look at it another way: Scientific knowledge is supposed to be fallable!

Science, scientists, and the scientific method are a wonderful, blessed way to explore God's creation. And what marvels we have experienced as our knowledge has grown and God's marvels have been shown to be even more marvelous than we ever suspected! Incorrect theories will eventually be disproven and lead back to the Bible's foundation of facts. True science can only, inevitably lead the elect to praise Him!

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

- Psalm 19:1

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

- Luke 19:40 NIV

Huh, go figure... they do.

Merry Nativity!

Tom very generously commented with a link to a panoramic view of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. It is a wonderful look at the suspected site of Christ's birth. The page also has links to the Church of the Nativity's own web page. Definitely worth a look.

Church of the Nativity Link

It was also great to show this to my two daughters this morning. Too often, in spite of our best efforts, Bible stories take on some aspects of fairy tales in children's minds. It is gratifying to show them places from Bible stories to reassert that these are real stories of real people in real places.

Thanks for the link, Tom!

Praise God.
Merry Christmas!

Science.

In a far away land there lived a tribe of cavemen and cavewomen who lived a simple hunter/gatherer existence. They travelled from place to place following food and water and shelter. Theirs was a simple life.

One day they discovered a valley with steep walls and abundant grain growing on the valley floor and wildlife concentrated around a central stream. In the valley wall was a cave. The tribe was astonished that this place had not been settled before and agreed that this place could meet all of their needs for food and shelter. After generations of wandering they decided to settle in the beautiful valley.

They entered the valley and went straight to the cave to set up a camp, but they were astonished to find a shiny, beautiful 1955 Ford Thunderbird parked in the cave. You and I are familiar with automobiles, but they had never seen such a beautiful creation before. They marveled at the smooth surfaces and the glass that they could see through and the shiny chrome that showed twisted reflections of their faces.

They fell on their faces and worshipped the Thunderbird... and they named it Karr.

Generations passed and our tribe became farmers and lived in isolation in the valley with Karr in the cave. As familiarity overcame awe, people began to touch and toy with Karr. On one fateful day a young woman pushed a shiny button on the door handle and, to their amazement, the door came ajar.

A second push shortly followed and with it the door unlatched and a new world opened to the tribesmen as they were able to climb into Karr and wonder at the interior. From this point on, (and owing to the fact that no one who entered Karr appeared to have been struck dead, so far,) Karr became less an object of worship and more a subject of great curiosity.

Our cave people climbed under and onto and through Karr and discovery after discovery began to reward their touching hands and inquisitive minds. A twist of this knob made those two sticks swing back and forth across the clear stuff in front. A push on that button, after a pause, would make a little fire starter come to life. (Many a campfire owed its life to the little button from inside Karr.)

With each day, each month, and each year, more and more of the secrets of Karr were revealed and each secret, in turn, uncovered new mysteries which would await unlocking by whichever mind was bright enough to come to the correct understanding of its use and purpose. The discoveries from the exploration of Karr brought ease and progress to the tribe.

After two generations Karr had completed the transformation from a wonder to an object. A special class had developed within the tribe whose members were experts in the mysteries of Karr. These specialists could now disassemble Karr to its smallest nut and bolt and then reassemble Karr again. On special occasions, with an appropriate ceremony to instill wonder and delight, the specialists would start Karr to amaze the people with the roar of the engine and the deep blaring of the horn.

Long years prior, the owner’s manual had been discovered in Karr’s glove box. This book had been laboriously interpreted and the information disseminated to the tribe. The people were school in the manual so that every young child could recite the information it contained. However, the specialists' knowledge had long exceeded the simple overviews contained in the owner's manual and rarely was it needed for the mechanical work they performed.

One day, after another celebration and another performance of the mighty Karr, the leader of the specialists stood to address the tribe. All conversation stopped as the specialist stood straight and proud, awash in campfire light. The specialist addressed the tribe with soft and humble words,

"Many years ago our forefathers began learning the mysteries of Karr and today, standing upon the discoveries of those who came before, we are prepared to announce the final discovery from our study of Karr."

The cave dwellings leaned in expectantly, anticipating a new wonder and revelation, as the specialist continued,

"We have learned much of Karr and its workings and now at last, as our knowledge and mastery has become so great, I can tell you our final discovery with complete confidence and assurance...

...Detroit does not exist."

It's Not Fair!

I was listening to our local "Christian" radio station and they were playing a program intended to counter the recent spate of "Gee, let's look at the bible and totally dismiss any substantial value to the text" programs on cable and public broadcasting. Today's show was discussing the TV "experts" in the recent "Bible discovery" programs on TV.

These "Bible discovery" programs always say, "Let's take a modern and scientific look at the Bible". With"modern and scientific" you can always hear the subtext "...as opposed to those ignorant bumpkins who actually believe this stuff."

When these programs come out we always hear Christians say, "That wasn't balanced or impartial!" We're confounded that Biblical Christianity isn't portayed as a viable alternative. The subtext to our comments? "It isn't fair!!!"

Who in the world wants a fair fight?! If I've gotta be in a fight, I want that fight as stacked in my favor as possible! I have no interest in a fair fight because I could lose a fair fight!

I say, give me a fight that is a locked on rails, never in question, undisputed and grossly unfair, trouncing in my favor!

Here's a fight that I really, really like... Imagine that this fight had a boxing ring announcer:

"Ladies and Gentlemen,
Tonight's Challenger:
A television program! with a shelf life of 5 - 10 years, using biased information that is largely opinion and little fact, all spouted by college "experts" that no one is gonna remember the day after tomorrow...

And in the other corner,
Still undefeated and the reigning Champion:
Faithful Christian and the Good News of Jesus!

Backed with the full resources, direction and Love of the Lord God Almighty, Our Creator!

Continually held in God' Hand and with God constantly available through prayer!

This Christian is supported by God's written word, provided for our instruction, direction and edification and good for rebuke and chastisement and correction.

All demonstrated through, not theories, not concepts, but by the lives and testimony of millions of believers through over 2000 years of lives facing prosperity, tragedy, heartbreak and exultation in real world demonstrations of the Awesome Power of God in mortal man's life.

This all attended to by God's Holy Spirit and covered entirely with the Precious Blood of Jesus.

Praise God! This is not a fair fight! Christ's testimony is not given with mere words, but with our lives lived for Him. Nothing can overcome the witness of our lives and nothing less will win the victory.

A TV show's gonna speak louder than the lives of the elect? Get serious. Bothers and Sisters, this is not a fair fight. Praise God!

The "De-Jesus-ication" of Christmas

Y’know, I’m hearing a lot of howling this year about the lack of Nativity scenes and the general “de-Jesus-ication” of Christmas that has really taken root in the last few years. Sure I understand that. This sure isn’t the type of Christmas I remember from my childhood.

HOWEVER!

In a way, this is a step forward! I’ve often heard the saying in evangelism, “Sometimes, before you can get’em saved, you have to get’em lost!”

When everyone is saluting Jesus, even the people who don’t believe in Him or follow Him, doesn’t the message lose its significance? ("Would the real sheep please stand up?") Now that problem is being solved for us.

Today, even if you want to celebrate the Nativity, you have trouble finding decorations at the big box retailers. Now, when I see a Nativity Set in a yard, I know someone went to the trouble to make that statement. It wasn't "just a cute something" that they saw and liked. This is more of a blessing.

The free ride is over. NBC, CBS, ABC and Bing Crosby aren’t spreading any part of the Gospel anymore. (Considering their version of "the gospel", I'm not complaining about that.) Now we, the Church, are gonna have to go out, (as we always should have,) to tell people that “Old, Old Gospel Story.”

There never was a free ride. As ever and always, if we don't tell them, then how will they hear? Sometimes I wonder, “Is the exposure of our hearts what upsets Christians the most about the "de-Jesus-icated" Christmas?”

We aren't just saved. We're saved for a purpose...

"But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.” "

- Acts 5:19-20 NIV

Merry Christmas, He Reigns!

Bolivia...

There is a story from my life that I have told many times. Sometimes I have told it for laughs to demonstrate my inconstancy and other, more personal times, I have discussed this as a personal failure of some significance. There may be a value in sharing it with you, dear reader, so I will.

In about 1988 I had returned to the church after a period of falling away. Maybe you’ve experienced the same delight that I found then under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit, as a new understanding of God’s Grace began to take shape. One day, on a Sunday afternoon, I was spending time in prayer and worship when it became time to leave for evening service. I got into my car and as I drove I was still praying/talking to God.

It was one of those moments of communion where you have that collision between enthusiasm and God’s presence and ego. I remember going down the road and being on fire and saying,

“Lord, whatever You want me to do, wherever You want me to go? I’m your guy! You just let me know!”

And I was as serious as a heart attack. I was looking for Him to tell me and I was gonna go!

Well, I walked into the evening service and the regular service had been cancelled. (What?!) And, instead, we had an organization recruiting missionaries for Bolivia!

(Uh-oh, wait a minute! I’ve never seen anything that made me want to go to South America!)

They showed this slide show of their program and while they trained you, you were to live in tents in Georgia or Alabama or some southeastern State. It showed smiling, enthusiastic people living in the heat, rain and bugs and cold in some really wet, green, muddy country (and I was thinking, “I went to college so I wouldn’t have to live like that!”)

Then, in the slideshow, we were off to semi-tropical-looking Bolivia and it showed this guy hacking his way through jungle-looking stuff with a big old, holy-rolling smile on his face, (and I was thinking, “I HATE the jungle where it’s wet and has leeches and all that other miserable yucky stuff!”)

And these folks ran through their whole dog and pony show and, to me, it just kept getting worse and worse and then they ended it all with this huge, dramatic alter call: “Who is called to save souls in Bolivia?!”

Well, you couldn’t have gotten me tighter to that pew with screws and a nail gun. I clenched down and sweated out every second of that alter call because I wasn't going anywhere!

When they closed that service, I sprinted back to my car parked across the street. (I can still see this all, like it was today.)

I jumped into that car and closed the door and got on my knees on the driver’s seat and I prayed with all my heart:

“PLEASE GOD! ANYWHERE BUT BOLIVIA! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Please, Lord! Don’t make me go to Bolivia!”

I never went to Bolivia.

That was a huge lesson in humility and another big one on false pride and how God can humble us when He needs to. I learned a lot about how big, heroic and noble I really am. But years later, as I look back on this story today, there is another lesson that I will take to my grave and beyond.

How many times have I asked myself,

“What could God have done with me if I’d gone to Bolivia?”

Today I wish I had…

The Berean Call...

You will notice I have quoted the Berean Call in a couple of postings. Here's why:

The Berean Call web site describes their effort (The Berean Call) in the following way:

"Seven years after the release of The Seduction of Christianity in 1985, its authors, Dave Hunt and T.A. McMahon, also joined forces on another front. They began a ministry for the purpose of encouraging spiritual discernment among those who regarded themselves as biblical Christians. The primary vehicle for this endeavor was through the publication of the newsletter The Berean Call. Behind every article is the exhortation to believers to get back into the Word of God instead of being “carried about by every wind of doctrine,” and to equip them with materials to help them walk in the truth."

Sometimes I've read their material and in the back of my mind I've thought, "Would you two crusty old farts lighten up a little? Everything, we disagree with in this world isn't a threat to the True Faith! Unclench a little!"

And then later experience, increasing maturity and the Spirit have moved to show me that there was more to what they were saying than I understood. Their writing has often humbled me in this way. Today, I read "The Berean Call" with a lot more respect.

Ultimately, I hope to take their teaching, as with all things, to the feet of the Father in prayer and then strop the blade of the Sword of the Spirit, (which is the Word) across it a few times and see how it holds together.

Today I understand that this is all those two crusty old farts ever wanted us to do...

Take a peek for yourself. Their newsletter, (which I believe to be excellent,) is free as is a lot of material on their site. Go to http://www.thebereancall.org and see for yourself.

Tell them "The Unclean Vessel" sent ya (and watch them get really confused because that won't mean anything to them! [grin!])

The Interference of Man

Here's a thinker... on the one hand it strikes the chord of Truth, on the other it almost implies that God is limited in lattitude... Enjoy!

"The history of the Church makes one thing absolutely clear: the unity, doctrinal soundness, Scriptural order, and power of the Church can be preserved only by the power of the Spirit.

Equally evident is the fact that the Holy Spirit can do this only as there is absolute surrender to the Lord and obedience to His Word.

The introduction of man's wisdom and power at any point inevitably brings loss of spiritual power, authority and communion and leads to division, stagnation and defeat until an effective witness ceases."

- Alex R. Hay (20th Century Missionary & Church Planter)

As quoted in The Berean Call's daily newsletter December 16, 2008.
To subscribe go to http://www.thebereancall.org/

Softly and Tenderly

I had the hymn "Softly and Tenderly" running through my mind tonight while I wrote, so I went looking to see if I could find you the words.

As usual Cyberhymnal.com had the goods. I've found some of the old hymns make a wonderful devotional and Cyberhymnal.org is a good place to find some of the best. As they often do, Cyberhymnal.org also had an interesting background story that I brought over for you to read:

"When the world-re­nowned lay preach­er, Dwight Ly­man Moody, lay on his death bed in his North­field, Mass­a­chu­setts, home, Will Thomp­son made a spe­cial vi­sit to in­quire as to his con­di­tion. The at­tend­ing phy­si­cian re­fused to ad­mit him to the sick­room, and Moody heard them talk­ing just out­side the bed­room door. Re­cog­niz­ing Thomp­son’s voice, he called for him to come to his bed­side. Tak­ing the Ohio po­et-com­pos­er by the hand, the dy­ing evan­gel­ist said, “Will, I would ra­ther have writ­ten ‘Soft­ly and Ten­der­ly Je­sus is Call­ing’ than an­y­thing I have been able to do in my whole life.”"

Emurian, Er­nest Kri­kor. For­ty Stor­ies of Fa­mous Gos­pel Songs. Grand Ra­pids, Mi­chi­gan: Bak­er Book House, 1959. p. 109, as quoted at www.cyberhymnal.org and retrieved December 15, 2008

SOFTLY AND TENDERLY JESUS IS CALLING
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Refrain
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?

Refrain

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.

Refrain

O for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

Refrain

Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling, Words & Music by Will L. Thomp­son, in Spark­ling Gems, Nos. 1 and 2, by J. Cal­vin Bush­ey (Chi­ca­go, Ill­i­nois: Will L. Thomp­son & Com­pa­ny, 1880)

All this post, except my opening lines, is as quoted in the Cyberhymnal at www.cyberhymnal.org I like to talk this site up because they have a wide selection of hymns, interesting information on the material, and well referenced research. It is offered as a free service to all and that service is "Dedicated to the Glory of God".

Hats off to www.cyberhymnal.org!

The Angels of Christ's Birth

There's an old Chinese proverb:

"A man with a clock knows what time it is. A man with two clocks never knows what time it is."

And so it is sometimes with Bible translations. Different translators, commentators and scholars may render a passage into different forms. Sometimes this may be frustrating and other times it is confusing. But, if we approach this prayerfully, it might be a nice chance to hear something again, for the first time.

Please enjoy these translations as you also view these photos and accompanying descriptions from Hanan Isachar's "Images of the Holy Land". God bless you and all praise to the Most High God during this beloved Christmas season.

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men."
- King James Version

Bethlehem. A person of average height has to stoop to enter the Church of the Nativity from the paved courtyard that is part of the Byzantine atrium. This entrance, called the “door of humility”, was lowered around the year 1500 to prevent the Moslems riding their horses into the church.

Two other entrances at either side of the present door were also blocked up. The Basilica of the Nativity was built in 326 a.d. by the Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother, St. Helena, over the cave where Jesus was born according to tradition. The Basilica, which was burnt in a Samaritan revolt in the 6th century, was repaired and extended by the Emperor Justinian, who had his architect put to death because he didn’t like his work. Since then it has remained almost intact, enabling us to study the local versions of early Christian Basilica architecture.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
- New International Version

At Christmas flowers decorate the Star of Bethlehem in the Grotto of the Church of the Nativity, on the spot marking the birth of Jesus.

The typically eastern oil lamps over it are polished and candles are lit in honor of the festival. The star of Bethlehem appeared to the Magi, wise men of the east, and led them to Bethlehem where they found Jesus, as told in Matthew 2. On the silver star is inscribed the Latin sentence: Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est—Here to the Virgin Mary Jesus Christ was born.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

"Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
- New Living Translation

Bethlehem. Only the Greek Orthodox priests are allowed to enter the sacristy where they prepare for the Christmas service. The church and all it contains are shared by Greek Orthodox, Armenians and Catholics—represented by Franciscans.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

“Give glory to God in heaven,
and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.”
- New Century Version

From the belltower of the Church of the Nativity the Judean hills look pale in the strong summer sunlight. Bethlehem, a city 860 meters above sea level, about 7 kilometers south of Jerusalem, is first mentioned in the 14th century b.c., in the Tel el-Amarna letters, as Bit-ilu-Lakhama, the House of Bread.

In the Old Testament it is referred to by various names: Ephrat, Bethlehem Ephratah and Bethlehem Judah. It was part of the tribal allotment of Judah, and the family of Boaz, who was an ancestor of King David, lived here.

1000 years later Jesus was born in this city, and it became sacred to Christians. “The holiest city in the world”, writes St. Jerome. Today it is an Arab town populated mostly by Christians, who earn their livelihood from the pilgrim trade.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good pleasure in men."
- The Darby Bible

Bethlehem. The statue of St. Jerome looking up heavenward in awe, with a skull at his feet representing the scholar, the sage and perhaps also his asceticism. He stands on a pedestal in front of the Church of St. Catherine in the Crusader cloister that was reconstructed in the late 40s.

The Franciscan church, on the northern side of the Church of the Nativity, was built in 1882 over the remains of a 12th century Crusader church. In the church grotto is the cell of St. Jerome, where he lived for 35 years from 385 to 420 a.d. and translated the Old and New Testament into Latin, the famous Vulgate translation.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased."
- American Standard Version

Children carrying crosses and icons head the Christmas procession in Bethlehem’s Manger Square. The crossed stripes on their backs symbolize the crossed arms of angels. And they do look like little angels escorting the Messiah on his way.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

"Glory in the highest to God,
and upon earth peace, among men—good will."
- Young's literal translation

Bethlehem, December 24, the Christmas procession in Manger Square, which is all dressed up for the occasion, on the day when the eyes of believers all over the world are on it.

Bethlehem, an Arab city about 7 kilometers south of Jerusalem, 770 meters above sea level, at the edge of the Judean Desert beside the Way of the Patriarchs. King David was born here, and here he was anointed King of Israel by Samuel the prophet. A thousand years later Jesus was born in this city, which St. Jerome, who chose to live and die here, described as “the holiest city in the world”.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

“Give glory to God in heaven,
and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.”
- New Century Version

Bethlehem. The bright cross shaped Church of the Nativity dominates Manger Square, the site of the birth of Jesus Christ. “The most sacred place on earth”, as St. Jerome wrote. On the right stands the Church of St. Catherine with its red-tiled roof.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
- New American Standard Bible

May He be pleased with you this Christmas season.

The "Escape Clause"

When it comes to divorce many people say "divorce is permissable if your spouse has committed adultery." They think of adultery as an "escape clause". They get this idea from reading Matthew 5:32:

"But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."

- Matthew 5:32 NIV

I suggest that those who say this text allows divorce in certain cases are missing the whole point. Jesus did not allow divorce if adultery was involved. In fact, listen to the disciples' response when they heard what He said:

"The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

- Matthew 19:10 NIV

Wow!

To read this accurately, think of it this way... What if Jesus said:

"Throwing a cup of water on someone, unless they are already wet, will make them wet!"

This doesn't justify throwing water on a wet person! It's about wetness being caused. You can't now cause something that happened in the past. I believe Jesus is saying "you can't cause a woman who is already an adulteress to become an adulteress."

Jesus' larger point was: "Divorce Causes Adultery." He wasn't writing an "escape clause." He was saying the opposite: There is no "escape clause"!

I believe that our churches will take a step back toward the light when we stop teaching that the "escape clause" exists.

"Grace" and "Truth"

Earlier today I highlighted a sermon that was very important to my life in a positive way. Now I'd like to highlight one that I have seen have a dramatic negative effect.

A pastor preached a sermon a few years ago regarding the divorce epidemic that is crippling the church. (Maybe he deserves tremendous credit for even going near the topic.) His construct was that divorce could only be addressed by "Grace" and "Truth".

"Truth" in that the Bible does forbid divorce.

"Grace" in that divorce is just another sin paid-in-full at the cross.

Okay, we're agreed, as far as that goes...

Then I have listened to "mature" christians counselling others and justifying future divorce and future adulterous remarriage using this construct. This in spite of the fact that modern American divorce almost invariably results in adultery.

Our only counsel for the future conduct of believers must be "Obey God's Word!"

Given the high number of divorced members in modern churches, our pulpits are virtually handcuffed from preaching the hard truths about divorce, remarriage and adultery. Sadly, many leaders (very reasonably) fear the backlash that would cost them their ministry if they address the issue head-on. Worse yet, how can you address a person's adulterous remarriage when you performed the wedding ceremony?

At the lowest end of this problem live the "Family Values" ministries that won't touch the topic because of the potential impact on donations and public support that would result. Could there be a greater negative impact on families and children than America's 60%+ divorce rate? What other issue could conceivably come close in terms of importance to "family" values? Yet there is only silence...

Yes, we all live in total dependence on God's mercy and grace. But Christ did come as the embodiment of "Grace and Truth". When we accept, (and, sadly, even encourage,) rampant adultery in the church as we do today, we relinquish any claim to having the "Truth" and cheapen the "Grace" we receive.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."

- Matthew 23:15

No, no, that's not it... How does it go?

Let's see, how does that go?

If HOMOSEXUALS, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

No, that's not it... was it:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and OUTLAW ABORTION, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

No, I know that's wrong... could it be:

If STUDENTS will humble themselves and pray IN SCHOOL and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

No. No. Wait! Now I've got it!

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and ELECT CONSERVATIVE CONGRESSMEN, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

No, that doesn't seem quite right... what about:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I WILL PUT THEM IN CHARGE AND MAKE THEM WEALTHY.

(Now, that's just scary...)

Praise God in heaven above! He Promised:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Maybe if we truly humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways He could handle all of these other issues.

Just a thought...

A Logical Construct

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

- 2 Chronicles 7:14

This is a promise by God.
It is in the form of: If (W will X) then (Y will Z)

W = actor 1 = "my people, who are called by my name" = "Christians"

X = action = "humble themselves", "pray", "seek my face" and "turn from their wicked ways" = "Humbly Pray, Seek God and Repent"

Y = actor 2 = "I" = "God"

Z = result = "hear from heaven", "forgive their sin" and "will heal their land."

It is a Promise!

IF
"Christians" ---> "Humbly Pray, Seek God and Repent"
THEN
"God" ---> "hear from heaven", "forgive their sin" and "heal their land."


Conclusion:
If we are having a problem with:
"God" ---> ("hear from heaven", "forgive their sin" and "heal their land.")

The first place to look should be:
"Christians" ---> "Humbly Pray, Seek God and Repent"

Any other pursuit toward "healing our land" is probably misplaced and contributing to the problem.

Homosexuality WILL Be Accepted Within the Church!!

A while back I heard a commentator who started out his presentation with, "Homosexuality WILL Be Accepted Within the Church!"

He got the obligatory >gasp!< form the crowd. Then he explained his reasoning:

"Forty years ago no one would have believed that over 50% of the church would be divorced and living in adulterous remarriages, all with the full support and acceptence of the Body of Christ.

Exactly the same arguements that have been used for the widespread accepence of divorce apply to homosexuality. These compromises in the name of "love" and "outreach" and "grace" will inevitably lead the Church to embrace homosexuality as an accepted lifestyle within the body."

The more I thought about it, the more I realized he may just be right. It really begs the question:

"Is America in a `Post-Christian Culture' in spite of the Church or because of the Church?"

Obedience

In the early 1990’s I heard a sermon from Pastor Andy Stanley on the topic “Character”. It was excellent. I bought a tape of the sermon, and listened to it many times. (That tape was lost or given away years ago and I've never found another copy.)

Several of the points in that sermon have stuck with me through the years. I can’t quote this precisely, but here is a loose paraphrase of one of his better points:

“As a pastor I am sometimes called upon to counsel people. When we sit down to discuss a problem, usually before I even know what we’re going to discuss, I ask a very important question:

“You are going to tell me a problem and I am going to try and help you discern what bible says about that issue. Are you committed to obeying the Bible’s instructions once we understand what it tells you to do?”

If the answer to that question is “No” then there's really no point in counseling."

Doesn't that simplify so many things?

All too often the problem of disobedience is the foundation upon which many other resulting problems are built. The problems will defy resolution until the obedience issue is addressed. As believers, when we are asked to advise others, this question should also be foremost for us.

When obedience is sought first, many other problems melt away without further attention.

But Samuel replied:
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?

To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."

- I Samuel 15:22

Why Does He Let Them Get Away With It?

God is so faithful and kind!

Last night I got a call from my 10 year old daughter and she was so discouraged. She's being set upon by a variety of hard circumstances and she just can't win. It was getting the better of her.

I tried to get her to look toward God, but I could tell she didn't want to hear it. (I know how that feels.) So I simply tried to listen to her and let her know how how much I love her. I badly wanted to take her hurt away, but that wasn't one of my options.

Later I asked God, "What should I have said or done to help her?"

This morning, before I'd even started my day, I was led to Psalm 73. I loved it! A Psalm for the times when it seems like evil is winning!

Verses 1 - 12 seems to echo the cry of my sometimes broken heart: "They're winning! They're getting away with it! Look at how good they're doing and they're defying you, God!"

Verses 13 - 14 echos the times I maintain a straight face, but am whining like a 3 year old child inside: "I'm doing what I'm supposed to! God, what's going on?!"

and then those two wonderful verses, 16 and 17:

When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me
till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
- Psalm 73:16-17 NIV

Yeah, that'll preach...

Need some encouragement today?
Need some admonishment against voicing that discouragement?
Need a look at the big picture?

Open His Word and take a walk through Psalm 73. Approach the throne... enter the sanctuary... talk to Him... Your oppression will be lifted!

Thank you Lord! Your Word is so wonderful!

Not Cute, but it was...

Yesterday I posted three scripture passages under the concept of "breakfast", "lunch" and "dinner". The idea in my mind was that of being fed by the Word. For "Dinner" I used Isaiah 55 because I was focused on verse 11:

Isaiah 55 ¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

I read the whole chapter, but it wasn't until this morning that I made the connection between "dinner" and the food references at the beginning of the chapter:

¹“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

² Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Yes, I am just that slow. I missed that entirely. I wasn't trying to be cute. (sigh)

"Heaven"

Over the years I sometimes wondered "what will Heaven be like?" We've all seen the images of pearly gates manned by a long-haired Peter, images of people with wings on their backs relaxing on fluffy clouds.

When I was younger I remember thinking that if I designed heaven it would be a lush, pristine Eastern U.S.forest valley with log cabins for those I loved and myself within walking distance of each other. I can still picture the scene in my mind looking down from the valley head while the smoke gently rises from fireplaces and the hunting hounds bawling from the hills.

Hey... to each his own.

You know, God has an image of Heaven, too. It's tucked away in the last couple of chapters of Revelation. Let's take a look:

Revelation 21:1-22:6
¹ Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

⁶ He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

⁷ He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

⁹ One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

¹⁰ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.

¹¹ It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

¹² It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

¹³ There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.

¹⁴ The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

¹⁵ The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls.

¹⁶ The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadiaa in length, and as wide and high as it is long.

¹⁷ He measured its wall and it was 144 cubitsb thick,c by man’s measurement, which the angel was using.

¹⁸ The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.

¹⁹ The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

²⁰ the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

²¹ The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

²² I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

²³ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

²⁵ On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.

²⁶ The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

²⁷ Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

22
¹ Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

³ No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.

⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

⁵ There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

⁶ The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

- Revelation 21:1-22:6 NIV

(Just because he doesn't mention any hunting dogs doesn't mean they aren't there!)

I guess, however He puts it together, I just want to be there. Y'know, "It was good" everytime He created something for us.

See ya there!

A Hearty Dinner - Isaiah 55 - Mercy

¹“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

² Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

³ Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

⁴ See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples.

⁵ Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”

⁶ Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

¹² You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

¹³ Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.”

- Isaiah 55:1-13 NIV

Lunch - Hosea 6 - Better than Sacrifice

¹ “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.

² After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.

³ Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

⁴ “What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.

⁵ Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth; my judgments flashed like lightning upon you.

⁶ For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

⁷ Like Adam, they have broken the covenant— they were unfaithful to me there.

⁸ Gilead is a city of wicked men, stained with footprints of blood.

⁹ As marauders lie in ambush for a man, so do bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem, committing shameful crimes.

¹⁰ I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel. There Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled.

¹¹ “Also for you, Judah, a harvest is appointed.

- Hosea 6:1-11 NIV

Breakfast - Isaiah 58 - True Fasting

¹“Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.

² For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.

³ ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.

⁴ Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.

⁵ Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?

⁶ “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

⁹ Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

¹¹ The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

¹³ “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

¹⁴ then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” The mouth of the Lord has spoken.

- Isaiah 58:1-14 NIV

What Would it Look Like?

If you were to completely sell out to serving Jesus, what would that look like?

What would you say to someone then that you won't say now?

What is it that you do these days that you wouldn't do in front of people that you know in church?

Name the three people you know who most need Jesus... have you spoken to them all about Him?

What all could you sell to support someone who is spreading the Gospel?

Can you talk to God about your answers to these questions?

Would you? Please?

Witness is a Noun...

Once, in an AA meeting, a young man decided that he did not want to be in AA anymore. A friend who was concerned began to go to him to convince him to stay, but an older member of AA stepped in and stopped the friend saying, "No, let him go."

The friend turned to the older man and said, "Shouldn't we stop him?"

The older man replied, "If he is an alcoholic, whiskey will send him looking for a solution. Your job is to work this program so that when he looks for an answer he'll see one in you."

...

And so it is with sin.

Sin and the Holy Spirit create the desire for Jesus. Our role is to live the example of what God makes happen when we surrender to His Lordship.

Your witness is not what you say.

"You" is "your witness".

Authority

Research reliably indicates that the current generation of Americans is one of the least educated and most ignorant generations of the last two centuries. Ironically, this same generation is convinced that they are one of the most knowledgeable generations of the last two centiuries. (That makes perfect sense: education generally also teaches people what they don't know.)

No place does this ignorance more strongly assert itself than in the confidence that people's belief's are significant. People will boldly shout out, "I don't believe that there is a God!" absolutely convinced that what they think matters. Sadly, (sit down and brace yourself for this one folks!) most people's opinions about most things don't matter!

>Gasp!<

Sadly, people believe that because all people are created equally, that all beliefs are also equal. That simply isn't true. Most areas of knowledge today are subjects of intense research and specialized knowledge that is inaccessible to laymen. Human days simply are not long enough to be deeply conversant in more than a very few subjects. This means that, (although it goes against every fiber of our egalitarian beings,) we really need to rely on those who are more knowledgeable in many areas of our lives.

There is nothing wrong with asking, "Why should does your opinion matter?" or "Why should anyone care what you think?" Conviction is not an indicator of Truth.

The next time someone stands to shout cosmic generalities for the world to absorb, be certain that you've asked the question, "What is your authority to draw that conclusion?"

Better yet, the next time we hold forth we should similarly be prepared to explain the source of authority for our beliefs.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
- 1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV

Discussing Marketing-Based Evangelism

The most important command we have received in the New Testament is toward "Evangelism". This was the command Jesus re-emphasized just prior to ascending. The second most important command in the New Testament is probably "Unity". This topic is emphasized again and again.

It's hard to talk about "the Emergent Church", some of the "modern" approaches to evangelism or current church practices without the risk of hurt feelings and differences of opinion that may effect fellowship and unity. That's a shame, but it is reality. So, rather than discussing particular approaches or programs at this time, we can lay the foundation for discussing ALL programs by examing one simple construct:

SALVATION

To truly present the concept of Grace it has to include three strongly weighted components:

• GRACE and the need for God's unconditional forgiveness through Jesus,


• REPENTENCE and the need to turn away from the world and toward God, and


• OBEDIENCE and the command to follow Jesus with all of your being.

If any of these elements is under-represented or omitted, then I believe the Grace of God is being presented inaccurately and deceptively. If all three are present, I really don't care if the message is being shaved into the fur of rats and the church is launching the rats into a crowd with slingshots! Save'm where you find'em, I say!

Using this construct, we should all evaluate our methods of presenting the Good News and decide if we are offering the full message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. The vehicle is not the issue, but the message is everything. Faithful service to Christ requires that we present the full Gospel according to God's word.

I pray that we will all find that we are fulfilling the Great Commission in accordance with God's Will.

Wesley Hit it Pretty Straight, Too!

NOTHING TO DO BUT SAVE SOULS

"You have nothing to do but to save souls. Therefore spend and be spent in this work. And go always, not only to those that want you, but to those that want you most. Observe: It is not your business to preach so many times, and to take care of this or that society; but to save as many souls as you can; to bring them to repentance, and with all your power to build them up in holiness without which they cannot see the Lord."

-John Wesley

_{As quoted in The Berean Call's daily newsletter December 4, 2008.
to subscribe go to http://www.thebereancall.org/}

Charles Spurgeon Did Have a Nice Way...

A portion from this morning's devotion in "Morning and Evening"
Enjoy!

"...God has among the vilest of the vile, the most reprobate, the most debauched and drunken, an elect people who must be saved. When you take the Word to them, you do so because God has ordained you to be the messenger of life to their souls, and they must receive it, for so the decree of predestination runs. They are as much redeemed by blood as the saints before the eternal throne. They are Christ’s property, and yet perhaps they are lovers of the ale-house, and haters of holiness; but if Jesus Christ purchased them he will have them. God is not unfaithful to forget the price which his Son has paid. He will not suffer his substitution to be in any case an ineffectual, dead thing. Tens of thousands of redeemed ones are not regenerated yet, but regenerated they must be; and this is our comfort when we go forth to them with the quickening Word of God."

- Spurgeon, Charles H.

_{from "Morning and Evening, Daily Readings"
by Charles H. Spurgeon
Complete and unabridged; New modern edition
Peabody, MA, Hendrickson Publishers, 2006,
S. December 4 AM}

Today's Word Study: "Harf"

Last night I was in the bathroom when one of my daughters came to the door with the emergency announcement:

"Daddy, one of the puppies just harfed in my bedroom floor."

I got so tickled. What a perfect word! I'd never heard the word "harfed" before and yet the word so perfectly described vomiting that I immediately knew what she meant. The second thought through my mind was "Oh yeah. I'll be using that word!"

Only a few other words so perfectly describe their object. To me the best is "Jesus".

"JESUS"

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
- Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

Yep, that's "JESUS" to me.

[To finish the puppy story: Well, as these things go, the puppy harf was a good one by my little girl pup. We'd just finished making gingerbread cookies earlier and I'd been slipping the puppies cookie dough under the table, (Yeah, Daddy gets the blame on this one.) So this was the dreaded "molasses harf" that required a scramble to keep it from putting a terrible stain into the carpet. I'll find out if it made a permanent stain once the carpet's completely dry today... Now I wonder: did anyone really want to know this?]

Self-Assessment Test

Today we are so enraptured by the image in the mirror. For example, magazines have found that they can sell many, many copies of their publications by giving "tests" in the issues that allow the readers to rank themselves, rate themselves, or analyze themselves. What fun!

In this grand tradition I offer the following self-assessment test. Put your books under your seat, clear your desk of all other objects, (and keep your eyes on your own test!)

Please rank yourself in one of the two following categories:

"For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
- Philippians 3:18-21

For full evaluation of your results, please speak to the Teacher.

Romans 8:28-39

You've Just Got to Love Chapter Eight of Romans.
Here's a taste:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? 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, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

- Romans 8:28-39 NIV

Nice Way to Put It...

This morning's email devotion from Lifeway [Baptist] Newsletter "Everyday with Jesus" focused on 2 Peter 3:18:

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
- 2 PETER 3:18

The sermonette focuses on being patient and waiting on God's perfect timing. Waiting and trusting Him as He changes our circumstances and ourselves. It was timely for me.

I've been struggling with unforgiveness for a group of people and it has really been an issue as I have so deeply wanted to love the folks in question. I have taken this to God again and again and then fallen into anger and resentment just as often.

In the "prayer" section of the devotional there was a phrase that really hit home for me and I wanted to share it with you. Here's the entire prayer:

"Father, help me to be content with Your timetable for my spiritual growth. Sometimes I want to grow more quickly than is good for me. Help me be patient with Your patience. In Jesus' name. Amen."

I thought that was a neat way to put it. Thank you Lifeway. Thank you Father!