Tried With Fire

12. Q. According to God's righteous judgment we deserve punishment both in this world and forever after: How then can we escape punishment and return to God's favor? A. God requires that His justice be satisfied. Therefore the claims of His justice must be paid in full, either by ourselves or another. 13. Q. Can we pay this debt ourselves? A. Certainly not. Actually, we increase our guilt every day. 14. Q. Can another creature - any at all - pay this debt for us? A. No. To begin with, God will not punish another creature for what a human is guilty of. Besides, no mere creature can bear the weight of God's eternal anger against sin and release others from it. 15. Q. What kind of mediator and deliverer should we look for then? A. One who is truly human and truly righteous, yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is also true God. "God's justice means that we deserve punishment now and later. It is impossible for God to lie. It is impo...

It is easy to see how superstition, with its false glosses, mocks God, while it tries to please him. Usually fastening merely on things on which he has declared he sets no value, it either contemptuously overlooks, or even undisguisedly rejects, the things which he expressly enjoins, or in which we are assured that he takes pleasure. Those, therefore, who set up a fictitious worship, merely worship and adore their own delirious facies; indeed, they would never dare so to trifle with God, had they not previously fashioned him after their own childish conceits. Hence that vague and wandering opinion of Deity is declared by an apostle to be ignorance of God: "How be it, then, when ye know not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods." And he elsewhere declares, that the Ephesians were "without God" (Eph. 2:12) at the time when they wandered without any correct knowledge of him. It makes little difference, at least in this respect, whether you hold ...

I miss The Far Side...

This week's list... Cooler weather and warm soup . Listening to the Carolina wrens .  I smile whenever I hear them, because these little birds have such a bold song. Relearning and redeeming my thought process as I read the Word. New life in the church. We've had a recent baby boom in the church, and it's not over yet! There have been two infant dedications which moved me to tears. It was a blessing to see the parents desire to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. and to see the church commit to pray for these young souls and their parents. An exciting year ahead in the church - plurality of elders, new families joining, and strengthening ties in the Lord as we serve together. There were no slick ad campaigns or programs to draw people in, but God has been growing this little church in His way and His time. Soli Deo Gloria!

" I'm glad I'm a nobody because I'm less likely to be tempted by something I know I will never have." This was a statement from my daughter while we were discussing celebrity culture in the church and recent events in evangelicalism. I think she's right. The lure of visibility and popularity is so strong. Plus it's easier to gain notice nowadays with thousands being reached by the click of a mouse. But with success comes potential grave danger. We're all prone to pride and/or idolatry, which fuels this fire. The celebrity begins to feel that he is above any criticism or correction because numbers become the proof, not fidelity to the word of God. This is exacerbated by the fan base. Their hero or heroine may become infallible in their eyes, though they would be hard pressed to admit it. Therefore, any valid criticism will be received with a deaf ear, because deep down its a reflection on their own spirituality. Thank God, Jesus said that He will ...

More info here What 3 books would you choose for your church library? Would you rather look for books by author or subject? Neat links: 50 Unique and Unconventional Bookshelves 10 Very Cool Libraries

In this book. Paul David Tripp deals honestly with the unrealistic expectations we bring to marriage and how to face reality armed with the gospel. This is not a book about behavior modification - such as do (fill in the blank) to get the desired change in your spouse and you'll have a new marriage in a week. Rather Tripp sees the goal of marriage bigger than marriage itself -  our sanctification and holiness. Sanctificaion is probably not the first thing that comes to mind for most couples. In the glow of early marital bliss, one doesn't view one's spouse as a person still battling indwelling sin, let alone have a correct assessment of one's self. But it's only a matter of time before these struggles (yes, even as believers!) manifest themselves. However, being brought face-to-face with our condition is nothing less than the grace of God. He has orchestrated every conflict as a means to rescue us from self-absorption and personal kingdom building. God's goa...