Tried With Fire

Okay, you Northerners, go ahead and laugh at us… ht: Alex on FB

I am thankful for : - Another snow day to read, knit, and bake chocolate chip cookies. School and work are closed. There are approximately 6 inches right now and it's still coming down. - Heat, electricity, boots, and a snow shovel. - A working PC. After being snow bound and sick last week, the computer technician was finally able to fix my machine on Saturday. Thankfully I was caught up with my work by Sunday evening. - Theology conference this week-end. This will be my church's 6th annual theology conference. Dr. James Renihan of Westminster California will be teaching on Baptist history and doctrine. Praying his travel plans and the conference itself will not be hindered by the storm. - The practical nature of preaching the gospel to one's self. Yes it can become a buzz phrase, but declaring what God has done in Christ and its implications for my life is a lifeline in the midst of worry. The truth does set us free.

I had planned on writing a review of Second Forgetting: The Power of the Gospel During Alzheimer's Disease by Dr. Benjamin Mast at Out of the Ordinary today. But alas, circumstances took a different turn and you'll have to wait a couple weeks for that, Lord willing. Instead, I'm reposting a piece I wrote earlier this month - Standing on the Promises.

What is the just-world phenomena? Basically human beings believe or want to believe the world is just. Therefore, when something inexplicable happens to someone, we try to explain the event in a way that reconciles it with our understanding of the world. It may result in aid for and defense of the victim, but often this results in our perceiving the victim as having done something to deserve the suffering. Dr. Melvin J. Lerner , the psychologist who coined the phrase, describes it like this: A Just World is one in which people "get what they deserve." The judgment of "deserving" is based on the outcome that someone is entitled to receive. A Person "P" deserves outcome "X" if P has met the appropriate preconditions for obtaining X. What is implied, also, is that P desires X. If P does not get X, or receives something of less value than X, then P has not received all he or she deserves. Of course, the outcomes in question can be negative rat...

"He hath said."—Hebrews 13:5 If we can only grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand. What doubt will not be slain by this two-edged sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly wound before this arrow from the bow of God's covenant? Will not the distresses of life and the pangs of death; will not the corruptions within, and the snares without; will not the trials from above, and the temptations from beneath, all seem but light afflictions, when we can hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of "He hath said"? Yes; whether for delight in our quietude, or for strength in our conflict, "He hath said" must be our daily resort. And this may teach us the extreme value of  searching  the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch w...

In honor of the recent snow… Continued…

I am thankful for: - Shelter, warmth, and food in the pantry. It may not seem that cold for you folks further North, but we aren't getting out the teens today. We will probably break a record tonight with single digit temps. Poor daffodils. It's only going to get colder…. - Snowy days. We got 6 inches of snow with a layer of sleet on Monday night, All the schools have been closed, and no one is venturing out unless they have to. It may sound wimpy, but the local communities are ill-prepared for this kind of weather. There isn't money in the budget to plow any of the side streets, so we have to wait for sun and warmer temps for the roads to be passable. We don't have snow tires or chains, so our vehicles aren't equipped either. It's much safer for everyone to stay warm inside. Someone looking for breakfast - God's providence over flaky computers. My work PC began acting strangely over the week-end. Looks like it's a memory issue, but ...

While Moses was receiving God's instructions concerning the construction of the tabernacle, the people who remained at the foot of Sinai desired to have a symbol of the LORD's presence. This resulted ironically in the making of a golden calf. Whereas the tabernacle, with its golden furnishings, portrayed the LORD as a royal personage, the golden calf, in marked contrast, represented him as a mere beast. Although the people offered sacrifices, their worship of the calf degraded the one who had truly deliver them from slavery in Egypt. Worship, to be true, must be based on the right perception of God . The book of Exodus emphasizes the importance of knowing God as he truly is, and not as we imagine him to be . I couldn't help it, but my mind immediately went to the genre of "Jesus is my boyfriend" books after reading this. Am I being too critical? Perhaps, but it may be worth considering why we feel it is permissible and even necessary to go beyond how Scriptur...

"To Him be glory both now and forever."—2 Peter 3:18. Heaven will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus. Eternity! thine unnumbered years shall speed their everlasting course, but forever and for ever, "to Him be glory." Is He not a "Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek"? "To Him be glory." Is He not king for ever?—King of kings and Lord of lords, the everlasting Father? "To Him be glory for ever ." Never shall His praises cease. That which was bought with blood deserves to last while immortality endures. The glory of the cross must never be eclipsed; the lustre of the grave and of the resurrection must never be dimmed. O Jesus! thou shalt be praised for ever. Long as immortal spirits live—long as the Father's throne endures—for ever, for ever, unto Thee shall be glory. Believer, you are anticipating the time when you shall join the saints above in ascribing all glory to Jesus; but are you glorifying Him now ? The ap...

ht: The Monday Heretic via Teresa and T.U.L.I.P. on FB

The classic copper clapper caper… ht: Bill O'Neill via Twitter

It's my turn at Out of the Ordinary  today: One of the inescapable facts of growing older is that my parents have grown older, too. In my mind's eye, I picture them frozen in time in their prime, but the clock hasn't stopped ticking. Thus my mental image doesn't quite match reality like it used to. When I left home for college, my parents would check up on me during our many phone conversations. "Are you eating enough? Are you getting enough protein? Make sure you get enough sleep and don't work too hard. Be careful driving." Now it's my turn. "How are you feeling? How are you sleeping? Are you eating enough? Have you seen the doctor? Are you taking your meds? Perhaps someone can give you a ride instead." This is uncharted territory now that the roles seem to be slowly reversing, and it's a little scary. Read the rest of the post here .

From All I Owe by Matthew Smith, words by John Newton.

Something came out of the blue this week-end which left me feeling anxious in a way I hadn't felt in a long time. I knew I shouldn't worry, but my stomach twisted itself into a big knot. I had taken all the necessary steps I could at the moment. I knew I should trust God, but it was so hard to overcome that sinking feeling. In the past, I tried to get relief by listening to sentimental Christian-ish songs to drum up a different set of emotions, but it never lasted. Dealing on an emotional plane only addressed the surface problem, not the root. I tried to fight the internal churning but didn't hide it very well. My daughter gave me that look which said, "I know you're worrying. It's not good. Do you need to talk about it?" So I confessed my worries and fears to her. In turn, she reminded me of the gospel and paraphrased Romans 8:32. If God chose to save me, if Jesus died to make that happen, did I really think He didn't care or wasn't big enough t...

"He shall save His people from their sins."—Matthew 1:21. Many persons, if they are asked what they understand by salvation, will reply, "Being saved from hell and taken to heaven." This is one result of salvation, but it is not one tithe of what is contained in that boon. It is true our Lord Jesus Christ does redeem all His people from the wrath to come; He saves them from the fearful condemnation which their sins had brought upon them; but His triumph is far more complete than this. He saves His people "from their sins." Oh! sweet deliverance from our worst foes. Where Christ works a saving work, He casts Satan from his throne, and will not let him be master any longer. No man is a true Christian if sin reigns in his mortal body. Sin will be in us—it will never be utterly expelled till the spirit enters glory; but it will never have  dominion.  There will be a striving for dominion—a lusting against the new law and the new spirit which God has implante...

ht: Reverendfun.com

I am thankful for - Recovery from a mild cold. Better sleep last night. The previous night I would snore myself awake because of the congestion. Funny but not very restful. Modern medical technology. The doctors who care for my parents. My sister and brother-in-law who love and serve our parents so well. Long talks with my daughter about serious subjects. A God who heals and restores and who causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to purpose.

A little blurry, but clouds at sunset last night Fighting… A cold, I think. Hopefully it will be a mild one. Fluids, rest, vitamin C, and as a last resort, raw garlic. Smelling… Homemade soup simmering on the stove. Recovering... From a busy wedding week-end. Beautiful bride, handsome groom, God-glorifying ceremony, fun reception, and good time had by all. Feeding… The birds. I scattered sunflower seed on the deck this morning because I only have a thistle feeder. The birds enjoyed it until this afternoon when most of it was eaten by this little guy. Hoping… The injured squirrel we took to the emergency vet on Sunday is okay.  I have a soft spot for little furry critters. Finishing… work. Nearly completed… The Democratization of American Christianity .  It's written from a different perspective than Revival and Revivalism, but it's no less insightful. Thinking… How broken this world is in so many respects. Looking... forward to the day when all will be...

"They shall sing in the ways of the Lord."—Psalm 138:5. The time when Christians begin to sing in the ways of the Lord is when they first lose their burden at the foot of the Cross. Not even the songs of the angels seem so sweet as the first song of rapture which gushes from the inmost soul of the forgiven child of God. You know how John Bunyan describes it. He says when poor Pilgrim lost his burden at the Cross, he gave three great leaps, and went on his way singing— "Blest Cross! blest Sepulchre! blest rather be The Man that there was put to shame for me!" Believer, do you recollect the day when your fetters fell off? Do you remember the place when Jesus met you, and said, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love; I have blotted out as a cloud thy transgressions, and as a thick cloud thy sins; they shall not be mentioned against thee any more for ever." Oh! what a sweet season is that when Jesus takes away the pain of sin. When the Lord first p...