Tried With Fire

An alphabet of the obsolete: ht: Wrong Hands

I am thankful for: Shelter and warmth. It's not as cold as last winter, but cold enough for me. Quiet, uneventful days. A church wedding this Saturday. This will be a very special time and a little bittersweet as the young couple will be moving away soon. Technology that enables me to stay in touch with family and friends. Examples of saints who ran the race well. I just finished listening to the first volume of Spurgeon's autobiography. He was a unique servant of God for that time in history, but he had his share of suffering, too. Reading Spurgeon's Sorrows at the same time was very timely. Sermons and pastoral prayers that minister to my heart. Photo credit: By Ken Thomas (KenThomas.us (personal website of photographer)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

It's my turn at Out of the Ordinary today: "Kim's  post  last week on the heels of my pastor's  sermon  on Acts 2:42-47 got me thinking about relationships in the local church. I love my church, and we care for one another very well. But if the standard is Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34-35), who would dare say they do this 100% of the time and have no need for improvement? If I carefully examine my own life, I'm convicted of how often I fall short. So as I've considered this subject, here are a few ways that may help us strengthen the tie that binds." Read the rest here .

A friend on FB posted a link to the Heidelblog -  Sola Scripture ≠ Nuda Scriptura . I wasn't familiar with the term, Nuda Scriptura , so I read the post, which says: Evangelical Christians in North America sometimes misunderstand the Reformation doctrine of sola Scriptura to mean that the Bible is the Christian’s only theological resource, that it can and should be denuded of its churchly context (hence nuda Scriptura ). Such an understanding is altogether incorrect. While believers should be Bereans and search the Scriptures for themselves, we don't do it in a vacuum. Our study of the Word is not disconnected from what has transpired through church history. Neither should it be divorced from the context of the present local church. So given the potential for deception if one is left to one's self, I wondered if any cults or erroneous teachings were conceived via  Nuda Scriptura . Well in my recent reading, I happened upon: - Caleb Rich "insisted that his...

Religious camp meeting Dr. Robert Godfrey mentioned the book,  The Democratization of American Christianity ,  during his talk at Ligonier 2012. As I was interested in learning why evangelical Christians think (or don't think) the way they do, I added the book to my stack, and I'm finally getting around to reading it. It looks like this may answer many of my questions. From the introduction: "The rise of democratic Christianity in the early United States is riddled with irony, unrealistic hope, and unfulfilled expectations. A central theme of the chapters that follow is the unintended results of the people's actions. Attempting to erase the difference between leaders and followers, Americans opened the door to religious demagogues. Despite popular acclaim, these leaders could exercise tyranny unimagined by elites in more controlled environments of the colonial era. Likewise, a deep sensitivity to audience resulted in values of the audience shaping the message...

Wintersweet  "I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us."—Isaiah 63:7. And canst thou not do this? Are there no mercies which thou hast experienced ? What though thou art gloomy now, canst thou forget that blessed hour when Jesus met thee, and said, "Come unto me"? Canst thou not remember that rapturous moment when He snapped thy fetters, dashed thy chains to the earth, and said, "I came to break thy bonds and set thee free"? Or if the love of thine espousals be forgotten, there must surely be some precious milestone along the road of life not quite grown over with moss, on which thou canst read a happy memorial of His mercy towards thee? What, didst thou never have a sickness like that which thou art suffering now, and did He not restore thee? Wert thou never poor before, and did He not supply thy wants? Wast thou never in straits before, and did He not deliver t...

ht: Cake or Death

Eastern Towhee, male I am thankful for: More wildlife sitings. The goldfinches have now found the thistle feeder. It helps to have fresh seed. Mr. and Mrs. Eastern Towhee are also regular visitors on the back deck. I think this is the same couple who make their nest in the gardenia bush every spring since we've lived here. Humanity. Our physiology is a marvel of God's creation, but who can understand and fathom the human soul? What are all the factors that make up our personalities and make us unique individuals? We are very complex which attests to our being made in the image of God. Books that make me ponder human relationships in the light of my introversion. Sermons that encourage me to love my brothers and sisters in the local church. (Acts 2:42-47) Posts that challenge me to serve and love where God has planted me. A combination of the above which gives good food for thought. Places to put it into practice: family, small group and the local church. ...

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."—Hebrews 4:9. How different will be the state of the believer in heaven from what it is here! Here he is born to toil and suffer weariness, but in the land of the immortal, fatigue is never known. Anxious to serve his Master, he finds his strength unequal to his zeal: his constant cry is, "Help me to serve Thee, O my God." If he be thoroughly active, he will have much labour; not too much for his will, but more than enough for his power, so that he will cry out, "I am not wearied of the labour, but I am wearied in it. " Ah! Christian, the hot day of weariness lasts not for ever; the sun is nearing the horizon; it shall rise again with a brighter day than thou hast ever seen upon a land where they serve God day and night, and yet rest from their labours. Here , rest is but partial, there , it is perfect . Here , the Christian is always unsettled; he feels that he has not yet attained. There , all are...

Math with Abbott and Costello:

White-throated sparrow I am thankful for: Wildlife neighbors - We had a short cold snap recently, so I scattered bird seed on the deck. There was quite an assortment of birds including cardinals, Eastern towhees, juncos, song sparrows, and white-throated sparrows. Sometimes the bigger birds would chase the smaller ones away, but they would be patient. As soon as the bully's head was turned away, the sparrows and juncos hopped back to partake of the food. Sunshine and warmer temps - It's good to see the sun after several gray days. Thankfully, the forecasted sleet and ice didn't amount to much. I don't mind snow, but driving on ice is too risky. Small group - Our last meeting was before Christmas, so it was good to have time in the Word and pray for each other last night. The human brain - I'm reading a book that attempts to understand what makes us introverts versus extroverts. The brain is a physical object comprised of cells. Yet it is a mystery how...

It's my turn again at Out of the Ordinary : When I think of peer pressure, I usually think about school kids and the push to fit in with the in crowd. But pressure to conform still exists even when you're too old for playground politics. In 2005, a neuroscientist conducted a study to determine what happened in the brain when a person was influenced to give wrong answers under peer pressure. Was it a conscious decision to conform or were perceptions actually altered? The subjects were first tested individually. They were shown two different three-dimensional objects on a computer screen and asked whether the first object could be rotated to match the second. As would be expected, the parts of the brain used for spatial concepts and conscious decision making were the most active. Then the researchers livened things up. The subjects were tested in a group, but the other members were ringers who unanimously gave the wrong answers. If the subjects were deliberately choosing t...

For much of my Christian life, I had the bad habit of inserting myself in the leading role of a Bible story. After all, the Word of God was supposed to apply to my life, right? So during a severe trial, I identified with Hezekiah in Isaiah 36. My antagonists were Rabshakeh and Sennacherib, and my situation was a metaphorical siege. Another time, I put myself in Elizabeth's place and believed that my daughter had been regenerated in the womb like John the Baptist. But what right did I have to step into Hezekiah's or Elizabeth's sandals and think that what God did for them applied exactly to me? Here is what Graeme Goldsworthy has to say: Is it in fact true that if God took care of baby Moses, God will take care of me? Such application simply assumes that what applied to the unique figure of Moses in a unique situation applies to all of us and, presumably all of time. But why should our children be privileged to identify with Moses rather with the other Hebrew children at...

"I have prayed for thee."—Luke 22:32. How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never-ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, He pleads for us; and when we are not praying, He is advocating our cause, and by His supplications shielding us from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter—"Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat; but"—what? "But go and pray for yourself." That would be good advice, but it is not so written. Neither does he say, "But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That were a great blessing. No, it is, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." We little know what we owe to our Saviour's prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God hath led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth. How s...

A Doctor Who tribute in dominoes:

Dark-eyed junco I am thankful for: Shelter, heat, and warm clothes. It's 12 degrees out with a windchill of 0. Our average temps are low 30's for this time of year, so it feels mighty cold. Family time over Christmas. I had a wonderful time with my parents and my sisters' family. I am thankful for the love, laughter, and our bond in Christ. This is not to be taken for granted.  I'm also thankful my sister lives so close to my parents. It's hard having aging parents when you live so far away, and she and my BIL take such good care of them. Emotional healing in the last year. A big load has been lifted off my heart. The normalcy of everyday routine. Tuesday night ladies group. We hadn't met since before Thanksgiving, so it was good to be together again. I am so thankful for these sisters and their love for the Lord. With so much bad news at home and abroad, I am thankful God has not abdicated His throne. His purposes still stand. He is faithful to...

Here is my tentative reading list for 2015. I am reading through the Old Testament book by book in chronological order with Christ's coming in view. Therefore, several of the books are on biblical theology. I've also had my pastor's favorite book, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification , on the TBR list for several years. Lord willing this will be year to finally read it.  As for the rest, I've learned to go with the flow and read what strikes my fancy at the moment. There are books I started last year that are waiting to be finished, too. We shall see how the list grows (or shrinks) in the days ahead... Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Historic Campaign to End Slavery - Eric Metaxas C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography: The Early Years - C. H. Spurgeon (audio) Done! C. H. Spurgeon Autobiography: The Full Harvest - C. H. Spurgeon (audio) Done! Dorothy L Sayers: Her Life and Soul - Barbara Reynolds Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More - Kar...

I dubbed 2014 "The Year of Reading Dangerously" because I ended up going far afield from my original list and what I would normally read in general. This was fueled in a large part by my coming to terms with past emotional abuse and the evangelical church's often less-than-helpful response to this issue. I admit to struggling with my complementarianism, hence some of the titles below. Don't worry. I'm still on that side of the fence. ;) So without further ado, here are my top reads for 2014: Imago Dei: Made for More: An Invitation to Live in God's Image - Hannah Anderson   Without a doubt, this is the best book I read last year. The adjective that keeps coming to mind is "healthy" because a right understanding of  imago dei leads to a healthy sense of who are in relation to God and to others. Are Women Human? - Dorothy L. Sayers   This contains two classic essays. Sayers is very sharp and witty but also spot on in her call to treat human be...

"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."—2 Peter 3:18. ROW in grace"—not in one grace only, but in  all  grace. Grow in that root-grace,  faith.  Believe the promises more firmly than you have done. Let faith increase in fulness, constancy, simplicity. Grow also in  love.  Ask that your love may become extended, more intense, more practical, influencing every thought, word, and deed. Grow likewise in  humility.  Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow  downward  in humility, seek also to grow  upward —having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus. May God the Holy Spirit enable you to  "grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour."  He who grows not in the knowledge of Jesus, refuses to be blessed. To know Him is "life eternal," and to advance in the knowledge of Him is to increase in happiness. He who does not lon...