Tried With Fire

Need a coffee jump-start on Sunday mornings? If so, this video from Back Row Baptist is for you:

The Mortification of Spin team interviewed Dr. Diane Langberg , a Christian psychologist who specializes in counseling victims of domestic violence. It's well worth the 28 minutes and 36 seconds. Of note, I wanted to highlight what Dr. Langberg said about believing the victim: You believe what you hear. It is very rare for people to do false accusations, and they seem to occur mostly in these really bitter, awful custody battles. But usually people want home to be nice. They don't want to stir up a mess. That's why they hide it... Again this does not mean that false allegations do not occur, but I have done this work for forty years and I have had two . Listen here … (Edited to correct quote.)

Is It My Fault?: Hope and Healing for Those Suffering Domestic Violence , Justin S. Holcomb & Lindsey A. Holcomb, Moody Publishers, May 2014, 240 pages. Domestic violence (DV) is a difficult subject and one that is often misunderstood. Consequently, victims may not realize that what is happening to them is abuse . Also well-intentioned but uninformed counsel may re-victimize those already hurting. Is It My Fault?  brings this topic to light for the victim and those who would help her. To give a brief overview, this book is divided into three sections: Part 1 - What is Domestic Violence? -  This section lays the groundwork by defining DV and its extent. Contrary to what many may think, abuse is not just physical. Neither is it a relational issue but one of control. [21] Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive, controlling, or abusive behavior that is used by one individual to gain or maintain power and control over another individual in the context of an ...

What does the phrase, "Here I stand", bring to mind? Martin Luther or a line from Frozen's hit song "Let It Go"? Well, how about both. Find out more here.

Arlington National Cemetery Thank you to the men and women of the armed forces who gave their lives to protect the citizens of this country and even  those beyond our shores.

Source "We needed Christ as a life-buoy when we were sinking in the waves of sin, but we need him to be our food and our drink now that he has brought us safe to land. When we were sick through sin, we needed Christ as medicine; but now that he has restored our soul, we need him as our continual nourishment. There is no lack which a Christian ever has which Christ cannot fully supply, and there is nothing in Christ which is not useful to a Christian." C.H. Spurgeon

Careful handling of the Bible will enable us to "hear" it a little better. It is all too easy to read the traditional interpretations we have received from others into the text of Scripture. Then we may unwittingly transfer the authority of Scripture to our traditional interpretations and invest them with a false, even an idolatrous, degree of certainty. Because traditions are reshaped as they are passed on, after a while we may drift far from God's Word while still insisting all our theological opinions are "biblical" and therefore true. If when we are in such a state we study the Bible uncritically, more than likely it will simply reinforce our errors. If the Bible is to accomplish its work of continual reformation of our lives and our doctrine - we must do all we can to listen to it afresh and utilize the best resources at our disposal. Exegetical Fallacies , 2nd edition, D.A. Carson, Baker Book House, 1996, pp. 17-18.

Another parody by Back Row Baptist  because you can never have too many songs about Chick-fil-A:

I'm thankful for: - 60th birthday celebration of a dear sister with Mexican food, laughter, and rainbow cake. It's all one long plateau from 30 to 70. - One year of college down for my girl. I am so proud of her hard work. - Used books and more used books. - God's creation, from the structure of the proton to the expanse of the universe. I feel sorry for scientists who see His handiwork everyday but don't see Him. - God's Word. Other books can be very helpful, but this is the book of books. It was God’s word that made us; is it any wonder that his word should sustain us?  C.H. Spurgeon

I don't know where I've gotten the idea of what a perfect quiet time looks like, but I get a mental image that's similar to those inspirational pictures you can buy at Christian book stores. You know the kind. All sunlight and serenity, suitably framed and ready to hang. If your morning times resemble this, God bless you, but mine don't. Read more here .

As part of my exercise in reading primary sources, I've started  Women Caught in the Conflict: The Culture War between Traditionalism and Feminism . I am well aware that the author, Rebecca Groothuis, is an evangelical feminist which is precisely why I am reading her book. The traditional side is not without its prejudices and stereotypes, so I want to hear it straight from the horse's mouth. So far Women Caught in the Conflict has been very thought-provokoing. Groothuis lays some groundwork by giving a history of the women's rights movement in American history and the influence on and from the church.  She also spends time delineating the various streams of secular feminist thought. This section was interesting in the light of Rosaria Butterfield's prior life as a lesbian feminist. However, feminism is not a monolithic ideology, and to lump these streams together is, in my opinion, a misrepresentation. To include egalitarianism with secular feminism is inaccurate a...

Something worth pondering especially on a Monday morning: I have already, on a previous occasion, spoken at some length on the subject of Work and Vocation. What I urged then was a thoroughgoing revolution in our whole attitude to work. I asked that it should be looked upon, not as a necessary drudgery to be undergone for the purpose of making money, but as a way of life in which the nature of man should find its proper exercise and delight and so fulfill itself to the glory of God. That it should, in fact, be thought of as a creative activity undertaken for the love of the work itself; and that man, made in God’s image, should make things, as God makes them, for the sake of doing well a thing that is well worth doing... The habit of thinking about work as something one does to make money is so ingrained in us that we can scarcely imagine what a revolutionary change it would be to think about it instead in terms of the work done. To do so would mean taking the attitude o...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 The Deists, who own a God but deny his Son, dare to go to God outside of Christ. But Jacob was taught better. God soon reveals the gospel to him. Here is a ladder by which God preaches to you. If you have a mind to climb from earth to heaven, you must get up by the Son of God. No one ever pointed out a proper way to heaven for us, but himself. When Adam and Eve fell from God, a flaming sword turned every way to keep them from the tree of life. But Jesus alone is the new and living way, not only to the holy of holies below, but into the immediate presence of God. And that we might know that he was a proper Savior, the top of it reached to heaven. If it had stopped short, Jacob might have said, ah! the ladder is within a little way of heaven, but does not quite reach it; if I climb to the top, I shall not get there, after all. But the top reached heaven, to point out the divinity and exaltation ...

Planning a trip? Book your next flight with Lutheran Airlines: ht: Kevin DeYoung

Over the years, we've studied some very interesting topics in Sunday school. We learned about eschatology, the law's relationship to the believer, the Protestant versus Roman Catholic view of justification, and creation, to name a few. These subjects also had something in common - differing biblical interpretation which resulted in disagreement among Christians. Given the opposing viewpoints, the teacher was very careful to use primary sources. This would prevent any misrepresentation and allow each camp to speak for itself. Although he probably needed to read material with which he disagreed, this demonstrated his intellectual integrity and the desire to provide accurate information to the class. For example, I had heard from someone somewhere in the past that the Roman Catholic view of justification is "justification by works." Our teacher pointed out that this statement is incorrect. Rome would agree with justification by faith and the need for meritorious work...

I recently listened to an audio version of Anne of the Island by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This is one of my favorite in the series. But amongst the camaraderie and cheer at Patty's Place and the happy ending for Gilbert and Anne, Montgomery gives a chilling example of emotional abuse. In this case, it is not between spouses but a mother and son. There are no blows or harsh words but manipulation, emotional blackmail, and the desire to control another human being in the name of "love." She writes a similar tale but between two sisters in  Rainbow Valley, Chapter 31 . In this case, it also involves a promise to never marry so the other party will never be alone. This makes me wonder from what source did the author draw this storyline? Would this have been categorized as abuse in her day? I don't know, but Anne does call the antagonist "a cruel, relentless, deceitful old woman." I'm glad the plot ends well in both books, but in my opinion, the dynamic be...

Here is a blessed word - God shall not only be our refuge, but God shall be our strength also. What strength? - to make every day of trouble so easy to us by his power as to carry us through it. God has said, and will stand to it, "As your day is, so shall your strength be." Afflictions even at a distance will appear very formidable, when viewed by unbelief. Our fears say, "O God, if I come to be tried this or that way, how shall I bear it?" But we do not know what we can bear till the trial comes; and we do not know what strength God can give us, or what a strong God he will be, until he is pleased to put us into a furnace of affliction… he will never leave us till we are helped quite over and quite through it. George Whitefield Daily Readings , Randall J. Pederson, ed., Christian Focus Publications, 2010, excerpt from the May 9 reading.

If you are looking to date someone other than Jesus…

I am thankful for: New life. A robin built her nest on the gutter downspout outside the sunroom window. The chicks have safely left the nest but not without a few scary moments. The nest was attacked by a crow when the chicks were quite small, but it was chased away by several mockingbirds. Saints who cross the finish line. Seeming paradoxes that force me to go back to God's Word. There is no contradiction within God or His revelation. Unexpected reminders to not be anxious. The Lord knows I need this on a regular basis, and His timing was impeccable this evening. Verses like these: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

I'm posting at Out of the Ordinary today. I was inspired by an interesting Facebook discussion that Kim started yesterday. We middle-agers need encouragement too, but what do we do if there are no "older" women out there for us? Are we left to flounder on our own? Read more here .

Made for More: An Invitation to Live in God's Image by Hannah Anderson, Moody Publishers, March 2014, 176 pages. When we think of ourselves, what comes to mind? Is it age, gender, or ethnicity? What about profession/vocation or education? These are all good things, but are we just the sum of our parts? In Made for More , author Hannah Anderson writes that we were made in God's image ( imago dei ) and created to live out of that truth. Everything about us, which includes gender, personality, and our God-given gifts, flows " from Him and through Him and to Him. " The book lays a theological foundation, first taking us to the fall and sin's far-reaching effect on creation, including us. But the story doesn't end there. In Christ's incarnation, He is the perfect man where all else have failed. And because of the gospel, we find our lost identity in Him. Living in God's image is also very practical. Our affections, service, thinking, and vocation a...

We can no more turn our hearts than turn the world upside down. It is the Redeemer by his Spirit who must take away our heart of stone, and by the influence of the Holy Spirit, give us a heart of flesh. I might as well attempt to reach the heavens with my hands; I might as well go to some churchyard and command the dead to rise. I might as soon shake my handkerchief and bid the streams divide and they give way as to expect a soul to turn to God without the grace of the Mediator. Come, my dear hearers, I am of a good man's opinion that prayed he might be converted every day. In the divine life, not to go forwards is to go backwards; it is the great part of the Spirit of God to convert the soul from something that is wrong to something that is right, every day, hour, and moment of the believer's life - so that, in short, his life is one continued act of converting grace. George Whitefield Daily Readings , Randall J. Pederson, ed., Christian Focus Publications, 2010, from the Ma...

A parody from Back Row Baptist :