Tried With Fire

The Bible is not a higher-plane tome about some mystical life of spiritual devotion. It does not teach blissful separation from the brokenness of everyday life. No, the Bible is a book about this world. It is a gritty, honest book… In both its diagnoses and its descriptions, the Bible is honest about life in a fallen world. This honesty is a sign of God's love…. In being honest, the Bible welcomes you to be honest as well. In its refusal to minimize, diminish, or deny the harsh realities of this broken-down house, the Bible calls us to face the facts as well. Broken-Down House , Paul David Tripp, Shepherd Press, 2009, pp. 26, 29-30.

Can I Really Trust the Bible?: And other questions about Scripture, truth and how God speaks , Barry Cooper, The Good Book Company , 2014, 72 pages. Can I Really Trust the Bible? is the third book I've read in the Questions Christians Ask series from The Good Book Company, and so far I have liked them all. This particular book covers basic aspects of bibliology in a very readable and concise manner by answering the following questions: Does the Bible claim to be God's word? Does the Bible seem to be God's word? Does the Bible prove to be God's word? Author Barry Cooper covers issues such as the authenticity and unity of the Bible, inerrancy, historical documents, and why the canon is the way it is today. This groundwork would be very helpful for the new believer who is just learning the basics about the Bible. But this book doesn't stop here. He then encourages his readers to not just read the Bible but to taste it, to savor its words, and let it change...

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 By this love we are not to understand a softness and tenderness of mere nature, or a love founded on worldly motives, as any natural person may have, but a love for our brethren, proceeding from love towards God. In other words, loving all peoples in general because of their relationship to God; and loving good men in particular, for the grace we see in them, and because they love our Lord Jesus in sincerity. This is Christian charity and that commandment which Christ gave to his disciples. New, not in its object, but in the motive and example whereon it is founded, even Jesus Christ. This is the love which the primitive Christians were so renowned for, that it became a proverb, "See how these Christians love one another." And without this love, though we should give all our goods to feed the poor, and our bodies to be burnt, it would profit us no...

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The grand-design spiral galaxy Messier 74 It's my turn at Out of the Ordinary : The first chapter of Genesis is probably one of the most familiar passages in the Bible. It's read by many believers on January 1 to kick-off their Bible reading plans. These verses are also scrutinized when discussing the origin of the universe both inside and outside of Christendom. But after listening to a recent  sermon  on Genesis 1, I've looked at this chapter in a fresh way. My pastor stated that our response to this text should be to  look at our God as He is gloriously displayed . His words gave me reason to pause. I've focused so much on the details of what happened on which day and what it could possibly mean in terms of time, space, and science that I may have missed the forest for the trees. So I reread Genesis 1, and it brought me to worship… Read more here . And as a bonus, check out the Scale of the Universe and consider the greatness and awesome creativity of ou...

I've been a Doctor Who fan since high school. Tom Baker  was my first doctor, so he's still my favorite with his slightly manic and quirky sense of humor, jelly babies , and, of course, the iconic scarf. I've always wanted to knit a copy for myself, but its size isn't very practical. It would probably mop the floor or be a tripping hazard not to mention being very bulky to wear. Thanks to Ravelry, I found this pattern  scaled down to normal human-sized proportions. I used size 7 needles and Knit Picks Wool of the Andes worsted  in the colors recommend at DoctorWhoScarf.com . The site has patterns by season, yarn and color suggestions, and tips for joining the stripes and weaving in the ends. It also has everything a Whovian could ever want to know about the scarf's various iterations. (Did you know the scarf had a stunt double?) The pattern is plain old garter stitch, so it was a fairly quick and mindless knit. I finished it in less than 2 weeks with knitting...

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 The death of Jesus Christ has turned our whole lives into one continued sacrifice; and whether we eat or drink, whether we pray to God, or do anything to man, it must be all be done out of a love for, and knowledge of him who died and rose again, to render all, even our most ordinary deeds, acceptable in the sight of God. If we live by this principle, if Christ be the Alpha and Omega of all our actions, then our least are acceptable sacrifices; but if this principle be wanting, our most pompous services avail nothing: we are but spiritual idolaters; we sacrifice to our own net; we make an idol of ourselves, by making ourselves, and not Christ, the end of our actions: and therefore, such actions are so far from being accepted by God, that, according to the language of one of the Articles of our Church...

Prelude from Partita No.3 for violin by Johann Sebastian Bach - 

ht: Reformed Memes Daily on FB

I am thankful for: - Blankets and morning dew. - Books on tape and therapeutic knitting. - Hot tea and cough drops. - Bread rising in the oven. - My senior bunnies who have gotten even more affectionate with age. - God's providence over the big things, little things, and everything in between. - The encouragement from being with the saints. - The promise that brokenness will be healed when all things are made new. - "In the beginning, God…" No need for explanation or justification. He is and that is enough. Photo credit:  By Jon Sullivan [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

"We can know and trust that we are God's beloved, clean and pure in His sight. God is a rock and refuge, and though His presence feels hidden at times, He nevertheless delights in His children, promising deliverance to them as they wait for His coming rescue... [T]he ultimate vindication and healing that God promises lies on the other side of the resurrection. Until that day, the people of God can know that He stands with them through the suffering and the pain. He has not forgotten you. Complete deliverance will come - complete renewal will come - when the King returns. This is where we put our hope. Until then, know that God wants you to be safe, healed, and at peace. In addition to the future hope and healing for which we trust, there is hope and healing that is for right now." Is It My Fault? , Justin and Lindsey Holcomb, Moody Publishers, 2014, pp. 154-155.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here you go: Is Jesus in the Old Testament? , Iain M. Duguid, P&R Publishing, 2013, pg. 15. Diagram adapted from Preaching Christ in All of Scripture , Edmund Clowney, Crossway, 2003, pg. 32. 

When a person has for some little time tasted the good word of life and felt the powers of the world to come, he is often highly transported with that sudden change he finds in himself. But then Satan comes at such a time to pull him up with a high conceit of his own experiences as if he were some great person. He will tempt him to think ill of his brothers, as though he were better or holier than they. Take heed, therefore, and beware of this most evil device of our spiritual adversary; for as honor is before humility, so a haughty spirit goes before a fall, and God is obliged when under such circumstances to send us some humbling visitation (or permit us to fall) as he did Peter into some grievous sin, that he might learn not to be so high minded. To put a stop to all these suggestions of pride, let us remember that Christ was the one who chose us; we did not chose him; we have nothing but what we have received. Indeed, the free grace of God alone has made the difference between u...

Biblica Hipsteria: For people who want genuine transcendence with trendiness. ht: Michael Bird

I am thankful for: ~ An unexpected September gardenia. It looks a little tired, but the fragrance is still wonderful. ~ The opportunity to visit to a local art museum this week-end. ~ A sound roof during the recent rains and safety when driving through flooded streets. ~ The upcoming sermon series on Genesis. There is no substitute for a steady diet of sound preaching at your own church from your own pastor. ~ Being an alien and a stranger in this world. Even though I am very thankful to be an American, my true citizenship is in heaven. ~ Martin Luther's words which still ring true, especially today: And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.

I'm posting at Out of the Ordinary today: "I had good intentions to watch my diet and exercise regularly this summer. But alas, my good intentions ended up being just that - intentions. I hadn't weighed myself in a while, so I climbed on the bathroom scale one morning and did not like what I saw. But it got even worse. The number kept creeping higher and higher, about half a pound a day. Was my metabolism changing this drastically? Had menopause finally caught up with me with a vengeance? Finally it dawned on me that the scale might be broken." Read more here ….

The credibility of the church will rise and fall on  how it treats  the weak and wounded.  Matt B. Redmond Ever since I started researching the issue of domestic violence within the professing-Christian home, I've run across statements that make me cringe. I have a folder of ever-increasing bookmarks in my browser with links to reviews, quotes from books, and documented statements from conservative Evangelical leaders and authors.  My sample contains items from both men and women, but they have one thing in common - dangerous advice to women in abusive marriages.  Much of this advice reads like a tear-jerker, made-for-TV movie. The wife is abused, but she never gives up. She prays and prays, and then God works a miracle. Her husband is a changed man, and they live happily ever after. Cue the music and roll the credits.  Thus the message is, "Do [insert expert's advice], and your marriage will be saved! Just pray harder! Just have more fai...

How can I be sure?: And other questions about doubt, assurance and the Bible by John Stevens, The Good Book Company, 2014, 96 pages. We may not want to admit it, but Christians experience doubt. Remember "doubting" Thomas? At times, we may wonder… Have I stopped believing? How can I be really sure I am a Christian? How can I be sure God loves me? Where do I look for assurance of my salvation? How can I be sure? is a very practical resource that provides Biblical answers to these questions. Author John Stevens writes in a compassionate tone that encourages the struggling believer. Yet he is clear about the danger of doubt leading to unbelief. There is a very clear presentation of the gospel, what are evidences of salvation, and possible sources of doubt. Stevens also gives specific ways to strengthen our faith, which include a maintaining a personal walk, being part of a church family, remembering God's ways in dealing with us, and seeing His work in the lives...

You see, my dearly beloved brothers, that our way through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan is beset with thorns, and that there are sons of Anak to be grappled with before you can possess the rose, the Promised Land. But let not these, like so many false spies, discourage you from going up to fight the Lord's battles, but say with Caleb and Joshua, "No, we will go up , for we are able to conquer them." Jesus Christ, that great captain of our salvation, has in our stead, and as our representative, battled the grand enemy of mankind, and we have nothing to do, but manfully to fight under his banner, and to go on from conquering to conquer. Our glory does not consist in being exempted from, but in enduring temptation. "Blessed is the man, who endures temptation;" and again "Count it all joy" when you fall into various temptations. And in that perfect form our blessed Lord has prescribed to us, we are taught to pray, not so much to b...

#ThingsPaulNeverSaid ht: Reformed Humor on FB

I am thankful for: Relief from tooth pain. I'm also thankful for a dentist who could see me the next day and perform the least invasive procedure to alleviate the problem. Medieval dentistry The simple pleasure of eating food. Why did God give us taste buds? Why did He sovereignly allow the invention of chocolate? We could get nutrients without the bother of actually eating food , but we would miss out on the satisfaction of preparing a meal, the fellowship around the table, and the enjoyment of the food itself. The simple pleasure of making something by hand. Two sticks and some yarn turn into this: The changing light as summer moves into fall. Good gospel discussions with my daughter. Reminders that the standard for life is God's Word in its entirety. The entrance of thy words giveth light;  it giveth understanding  unto the simple.  Psalm 119:130 (KJV)

Book of Hours: September Drinking: Water. I'm trying to stay away from caffeine after 4 pm. Knitting: The yarn arrived in the mail, so I've cast on a scaled down version of Tom Baker's  Doctor Who scarf . The original was around 12 feet long. This version will still be 6-7 feet and much more practical as wearable scarf and not just a prop. Refreshed: I took advantage of the long week-end and spent some time knitting, reading for fun, and watching past episodes of Doctor Who. Looking forward: To seeing the dentist tomorrow. Yes, the dentist. One of my molars has been giving me some pain, and I don't want to wait until it gets excruciating like the time I had an infected tooth. Anticipating: Autumn. Even though we had a relatively moderate summer, I won't miss the heat. It was mid 90's with humidity today. I eagerly await making soup and pumpkin pudding. Studying: 1 Peter in Sunday school. The elder who teaches inductive studies does such ...