Tried With Fire

Passiflora lutea I am thankful for: A cool morning breeze - very unusual for the last day of July. A hard-working dehumidifier. The women's social on Sunday night and the gospel-rooted call to be honest and open with each other. Grace to put Sunday night into practice by sharing a struggle that was weighing on me for the last several months. Christian liberty and the freedom to be individual human beings. God's sovereign control over world events and societal changes. He is not wringing His hands wondering what to do. God is also able to equip His church to meet these challenges through the power of the Holy Spirit and to share the hope we have in Christ. As Martin Luther wrote, "We will not fear, for God hath willed. His truth to triumph through us."

On Sunday evening, the women in the church met together for great food (as always) and fellowship. The pastor's wife then led us in a discussion about the gospel and its direct impact on who we are and our relationships. Thanks to Christie and all the Grace ladies for the encouragement in the gospel which inspired this post: After my daughter was born, the house was a mess. It didn't help that I was so tired and bloated prior to her birth. I just wanted to put my feet up and rest after a day's work rather than attempting to clean while being very great with child. The emergency C-section and the stress of caring for a newborn were the finishing touches to the dust and grime, which were the last things on my sleep-deprived mind.  A friend, who happened to have a house cleaning business, offered to get things spick-and-span. What a gift and what a blessing! But a few days before the date, I noticed the shower curtain liner. In a word, it was gross… Read more her...

The gospel of Jesus is not an invitation to do better or try harder; it is a death certificate that unfolds into a new birth certificate, providing us with a renewed identity! The image of God that was marred in the Fall is revived in Jesus. We have been killed in Jesus' death, buried in Jesus' tomb, and raised in Jesus' resurrection. When we turn from our sin to trust in Jesus, our old self no longer defines who we are and what we do. Our old slave masters have been exposed and deposed. 1 We have enrolled in the ultimate witness protection program and have been issued a new name, "beloved," a new address, "in Christ Jesus," and a new reason to live, "a holy calling." 2 Love Into Light: The Gospel, the Homosexual, and the Church , Peter Hubbard, Ambassador International, 2013, pp. 26-27. 1. Rom. 6:15-23 2. Eph. 5:1; Col. 3:1-4; 2 Tim. 1:9.

When I was in college, a popular evangelical author/speaker came to my school for a 3-day crusade. There were posters and fliers announcing his coming, and a lot of build up to the event among the Christian organizations. I don't remember the substance of the talks, but I still recall the advertising method after all these years Many of the posters announced in bold letters, "Maximum Sex". Yeah, the old bait-and-switch tactic. I guess they thought if you want to attract the college crowd, what better way to do it than with sex. The speaker shared the gospel along with the message of abstinence, but it was primarily "be chaste for what you eventually get." This sounds like the prosperity gospel to me. Unfortunately this methodology was the norm then and is even today. Whether it is conscious or not, this reasoning agrees with the secular view that sexual fulfillment is the be all and end all. I'm not denying God's good gift for marriage, but where is Je...

[W]hen the fullness of time was come, Christ came, made of a woman, made under the law, according to the eternal counsel of the Father. He did not come in glory or splendor, as him who brought salvation with him. No, he was born in a stable and laid in a manger; oxen were his companions. Our Lord Jesus Christ stooped in amazing love to such low and poor things for our sakes. What love is this, that the Son of God would come into our world in so lowly a condition, to deliver us from sin and misery to which we are involved by the fall of our first parents! The Lord Jesus Christ came to take our nature upon him and to die a shameful, painful, and accursed death for our sakes. He died for our sins to bring us to God. He cleansed us from the guilt of sin by his blood, he satisfied for our imperfections, and now, my friends, we have bold access unto him. George Whitefield Daily Readings , Randall J. Pederson, ed., Christian Focus Publications, 2010,  taken from t...

ht: Bible Geek Gone Wild MIT research on tin foil hats in case you wanted to make your own.

I am thankful for: God's kindness in the little things. I discovered the pressure in one of my tires was low this morning. Due to a lighter work load and flexibility with my job, I was able to take it to the auto center right away. Lo and behold, the culprit was a nail as expected. There wasn't any extra-scriptural revelation telling me to check my tires. Just God's Fatherly care and His providential hand working through normal everyday means at exactly the right time. Saints who provide help in time of need. Celebrating a milestone birthday of a sister in Christ. Food and fellowship is always a good combination. Sunday school series on world views/religions. This has been very interesting and quite eye-opening. It would be easy to say, "How could anyone believe some of these things?" But I have to remember that I would still be spiritually blind but for the grace of God. The redeeming power of the gospel. Our church started a new sermon series dealin...

It's my turn to post at Out of Ordinary : In Sunday school, we have been learning about various world views/religions. Our teacher has been covering fundamental aspects of each belief, one of which is "What is its epistemology or source of truth?" Since we've been comparing these world views with Christianity, we've been reminded each week that God is the source of all truth. He has revealed Himself through the Bible, and that ultimate revelation was in Jesus Christ. ( Luke 24:27 , Heb. 1:1-5 ) This may seem like kindergarten material, but think about it. Let it sink in and let it wow you. Read more here .

Last week, there was quite a dust-up over A Christian Wife's Catechism . The intent of this document was for women in "difficult marriages," but I was one of many who were concerned that the wording could further domestic abuse . In reading the comments of the defenders and detractors, one thing became clear, at least to me. If you disagree on the diagnosis, you won't agree on the remedy. It was no wonder people were talking past one another because there was fundamental misunderstanding on the definition and nature of abuse. I wonder if the church-at-large is afraid of dealing with this issue? The fact that abuse occurs in homes of professing Christians pulls the rug out from under the idea that we have figured out how to save the family and thus save society. But the culture won't be saved by how pristine our marriages appear to the world. Salvation is through Jesus Christ alone. Now please don't misunderstand me. I firmly believe in marriage between one m...

[V]olumes of angry controversy have been poured out about the Christian creeds, under the impression that they represent, not statements of fact, but arbitrary edicts. The conditions of salvation, for instance, are discussed as though they were conditions for membership of some fantastic club like the Red-Headed League. They do not purport to be anything of the kind. Rightly or wrongly, they purport to be necessary conditions based on the facts of human nature. We are accustomed to find conditions attached to human undertakings, some of which are arbitrary and some not. A regulation that allowed a cook to make omelettes only on condition of first putting on a top hat might conceivably be given the force of law, and penalties might be inflicted for disobedience; but the condition would remain arbitrary and irrational. The law that omelettes can only be made on condition that there shall be a preliminary breaking of eggs is one with which we are sadly familiar. The efforts of ideali...

The wisdom of God contrives a way that justice might be satisfied, and yet mercy is still triumphant. How was that? The Lord Jesus, the dear Redeemer, interposes! … The Son of God says, "Father, spare the sinner; let him not die. Father, Father, O hold thy hand, withdraw thy sword, for I come to do thy will. Man has broken thy law, and violated thy covenant. I do not deny that man deserves to be punished forever. But Father, what Adam could not do, if you will prepare for me a body, I, in the fullness of time will go, and die for him. He has broken thy law, but I will go and keep it, that thy law may be honored. I will give a perfect, un-sinning obedience to all thy commandments, and so that you may justify ungodly creatures. I will not only go down and obey thy law, but I will go down and bleed; I will go down and die. Here I am; I will step in between thee and sinners, and be glad to have thy sword sheathed in my heart's blood for them." George Whitefield Daily...

If you are an abuse survivor or have supported a friend or loved one through her ordeal, you know what it's like. You could be reading a blog post or a book on marriage or womanhood. You run across a passage and the first thing that flashes through your brain is, "But what about abuse?" More often than I would like, I've run across advice that would be fine for a normal and healthy marriage, but in an abusive situation, that same advice is dangerous and potentially even deadly. It's not personal reflections that concern me. In those cases, the author is not telling anyone what to do. But I am troubled by blanket statements about what "all good Christian" women are "supposed" to do. Case in point:  A Christian Wife's Catechism .  As I continued down the list, my heart began to sink specifically with these questions and answers: Q11. How good a husband is my husband to me? A11. Much better than I deserve, and therefore I will th...

Have you been enabled to reach out the arm of faith and embrace the blessed Jesus in your souls, so that you could say, "My beloved is mine, and I am his?" If so, fear not, whoever you are. The Lord, the everlasting God, is your righteousness. Christ has justified you; who is he that condemns you? Christ has died for you, is risen again, and ever lives to make intercession for you. Being now justified by his grace, you have peace with God, and shall before long be with Jesus in glory, reaping everlasting and unspeakable fruits both in body and soul. All is yours if you are Christ's, for Christ is God's. My brethren, my heart is enlarged towards you! Think of the love of Christ in dying for you! Talk of and recommend the righteousness of Christ, when you lie down and when you rise up, at your going out and coming in! Think of the greatness of the gift, as well as of the Giver! Show to all the world, in whom you have believed! Let all by your fruits...

China's Reforming Churches: Mission, Polity, and Ministry in the Next Christendom , Bruce P. Baugus - editor, Reformation Heritage Books, May 2014, 320 pages. China's Reforming Churches is a collection of essays which covers the history of Presbyterian missions to China, the current state of the church with its challenges and opportunities, and the potential indigenization of the reformed faith in China. The writing is more scholarly and theological than typical missions stories, but this gives the necessary depth to accurately depict the complex nature of China's church and culture. It's easy for Western Christians to see the Chinese church through the lens of one of four narratives: the   persecuted church , the   needy church , Christian China , or the missionary church. [99-103] While all these aspects are true, a single one does not give the whole picture, and to think those would distort the true nature of the Chinese church. This book offers a more in-dept...

For more bizarre humor, visit the Tragedy Series . (ht: Eddie/Calvinistic Cartoons )

Drinking -  My morning cup of tea as usual. Enjoying - The last gardenias of the season. Thankfully they survived last winter's cold and still had plenty of blooms. Contemplating - A recipe for matcha green tea ice cream with coconut milk. Anticipating-  A break in the heat, a long week-end, and a chance to catch up on some sleep. Finishing - China's Reforming Churches , Bruce Baugus, ed.  Starting - Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals by William Webb Learning  - That human beings are much more complex than we think. We are fearfully and wonderfully made but that includes more than just the workings of our physical bodies. Appreciating - Brothers and sisters who offer godly counsel in time of need. Some say, "It takes a village.", but I would say, "It takes the local church." Not in a weird, cultish, lose-your-individuality sense, but in a healthy, familial way in which we care for one another. Grateful - God's forgiven...

I'm sharing a quote from Lost in the Middle: Midlife and the Grace of God by Paul Tripp at Out of the Ordinary  today. It seemed a fitting way to wrap up last month's series on midlife. Stop for a moment and scan your midlife disappointments, regrets, and fears. Ask yourself what you have been hoping in. What is really worth celebrating? What is really worth mourning? Force yourself to use the values of eternity as your measuring tool for the here and now. Let eternity argue with the values of the surrounding culture, which says life is all about youth, appearance, success, material ease, power, and control… Read more here .

"While we do not know why God allowed the Communist Revolution to occur, we can describe some of the surprising results for the Western mission to China and Reformed faith in China. One consequence, for example, is that it purged China of theologically liberal Western missionaries. Since then, many orthodox evangelical missionaries have returned to China, but relatively few theological liberals have. However tragic the expulsion of orthodox men and women from China was, the very real danger posed to the church in China by Western liberal theology was checked. Likewise, however much we may mourn the destruction of much good Christian literature and the theological famine the Communist Revolution produced, it also rid the country of most of the harmful Christian literature as well, leaving the Chinese church with one main document: the Bible . From my perspective, this appears to be a significant reason the church in China as a whole, even the state sanctioned Three Self Church, h...