Tried With Fire

The Son Who Learned Obedience: A Theological Case Against the Eternal Submission of the Son by D. Glenn Butner, Jr., Pickwick Publications, 2018, 223 pages. While the Trinity Debate of 2016 may have cooled down, the question still remains, "Is the Son eternally submissive to the Father?" The short answer is, "No." But if one word will not suffice, read this book. The Son Who Learned Obedience makes a strong case against the eternal functional subordination of the Son (EFS) by addressing: - Why the Trinity falls under the category of systematic theology rather than simple proof-texting. - Pro-Nicene teaching on the Trinity vs. the pro-EFS position. - Inseparable operations. - Does Jesus have one will or two? - How does EFS impact and undermine the doctrine of substitutionary atonement? - What effect does EFS on the doctrine of God? - Is 1 Cor. 15:28 an air-tight case for EFS? As a lay person who followed the Trinity debate closely, I was already on ...

Chorus: To see the Law by Christ fulfilled, To hear His pardoning voice, Changes a slave into a child And duty into choice. 1. No strength of nature can suffice To serve the Lord aright And what she has, she misapplies, For want of clearer light. 2. How long beneath the Law I lay In bondage and distress I toiled the precept to obey, But toiled without success. 3. Then to abstain from outward sin Was more than I could do Now if I feel its power within I feel I hate it too. 4. Then all my servile works were done, A righteousness to raise Now, freely chosen in the Son, I freely choose His ways. (The album only has verses 2 & 4) Words: William Cowper Music: Kevin Twit

On Sunday, John Freeman from HarvestUSA spoke at the evening service. It was a very encouraging message on the call to holiness in every area of our lives and how the gospel makes this possible. HarvestUSA's ministry specifically addresses issues of sexual brokenness, so this brother has seen what the grace of God can do. When my daughter and I were discussing the service afterward, I mentioned that his talk reminded me of Thomas Chalmer's sermon, The Expulsive Power of a New Affection ,  in which love for God displaces the love for idols. But she surprised me by saying that we need to be careful because this could be misunderstood. I asked her to explain and she replied - Our love for God does not change us. It is the God whom we love who changes us. (Mic drop.) Make no mistake, Chalmers doesn't get this wrong at all, but I can see why she expressed this caution. As a child of Adam, I am hardwired by the covenant of works to "do this and live." But because ...

1. Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song, The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue; Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last, Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast. 2. Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here; Sin would reduce me to utter despair; But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive, And He that first made me still keeps me alive. 3. Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart, Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart; Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground, And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found. 4. Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own, And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son; All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine. All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine. Words: John Stocker Music: Sandra McCracken

There were many wonderful remembrances of my dad during his funeral service. But there were two that especially touched my heart. My uncle and a brother from my parent's church shared similar stories of my dad always encouraging them to read and giving them books. I had to smile through the tears because this was so like my dad. He loved to read, and he loved books. I always remember the growing stack and sometimes stacks of books near whichever chair he happened to chose for reading. When my parents moved from their home of over 40 years to independent living, the big question was, "What are we going to do with all these books?" I'm sure I tripled my library with the books I brought home, and I gave at least three boxes to my pastor. But we managed to pare down the many shelves to four. When the time came for my parents to move to assisted living, the books had to be culled again. We discovered not only my dad's personal books that were never unpacked but ...

This is very practical advice for the early stages of grief. Even though it seems impossible for life to go on, these little things can help. When my ex walked out and visitation started, the routine of caring for the pets helped provide some normalcy. I shed many tears with one of the bunnies who was content to sit next to me as I mourned. I should have heeded the advice about eating and drinking water. I think I'm in a much more stable place even with my dad's death. It may hit me when we go back home and see family. We had a chance to openly and freely grieve before his funeral which helped to unburden the sorrow. And we should be sad and not repress those feelings. The verse (1 Thess 4:13) does not say "We do not and should not grieve because we have hope." Rather we grieve with hope. ht: The Perennial Gen on FB

1. On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand, And cast a wishful eye To Canaan’s fair and happy land, Where my possessions lie. 2. All o’er those wide extended plains, Shines one eternal day; There God the Son forever reigns, And scatters night away. Chorus: I am bound (I am bound) I am bound (I am bound) I am bound for promised land, I am bound (I am bound) I am bound (I am bound) I am bound for promised land. 3. No chilling winds nor poisonous breath Can reach that healthful shore; Sickness, sorrow, pain and death, Are felt and feared no more. (Repeat chorus) 4. When shall I reach that happy place, And be forever blessed? When shall I see my Father’s face, And in His bosom rest? (Repeat chorus) Words: Samuel Stennett  Music: Christopher Miner

" Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. "  James Baldwin After the news of President Trump's call to end birthright citizenship, I was shaken. I was always proud to be the first person on both sides of my family to be American by birth, but now I am faced with a problem. Is my citizenship a mistake because of a misreading of the Constitution? While my initial fears have abated somewhat, I am still wrestling with my feelings. I stopped wearing rose-colored glasses a long time ago, but there is still a sense of grief. My welcome to this country seems begrudging now and given in spite of what the founders and leaders of this country wanted, not because of them. And where do I stand now? Like Hermione Granger, when in doubt I go to the library. In other words, I research and read history to answer the age old question, "Why?" I have several pending interlibrary loan requests for books on immigration, and ...

1. Upon a Life I have not lived, Upon a Death I did not die, Another’s Life; Another’s Death, I stake my whole eternity. 2. Not on the tears which I have shed, Not on the sorrows I have known, Another’s tears; Another’s griefs, On these I rest, on these alone. Chorus: O Jesus, Son of God, I build on what Thy cross has done for me; There both my death and life I read, my guilt, and pardon there I see. 3. Lord, I believe; O deal with me, As one who has Thy Word believed! I take the gift, Lord, look on me, As one who has Thy gift received. (Chorus) Words: Horatius Bonar, Music: Kevin Twit