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Archive - January, 2009

For Those Who Struggle

January 4, 2009 in Discipleship with 0 Comments

Presently,
I am reminded of God’s steadfast love in our times of trials. When sin is crouching at the door, the temptation to let it in can be strong at times. Sometimes we do let it in, and other times we remain strong. Sometimes still, we peak out to get a glance at the sin before we shew it away. I would like to share some passages that have ministered to me in my times of resistance. It seems to me a little rebuke does a soul good.

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:12-15

The Makings of a Geek

January 2, 2009 in Life with 0 Comments

As the world turns (pun intended). . .
The long awaited desire has met its moment of embracing reality. Yes, incase you did not know, I am a realist. The desire for silence in study. The silence of space for research. The space available for research tools. My own little hole in the house where I can – for a moment – escape into literature and feed my hunger for knowledge. In short, the place where I can embrace my secret identity as a geek.

Yes, I now have my own office/study. My sister-in-law has moved out and my irresitable wife and I have moved our two lovely daughters into her old bedroom. Thus, I willingly inheret my daughter’s old bedroom as my new office/study room. This has been a long-time coming. I have wanted this for some time now. As you can see in the pictures below, I still have 1 2/3 book shelf to fill.

I am looking for commentaries, theology (systematic & subject) works, Christian apologetics, Bible reference (dictionaries, lexicons, etc.), philosophy, church order/work/planting, Christian living (very selective here), and many other sources. So, if you would like to donate to the “Fill my Library” foundation, I will most humbly receive your gift! I will even host a study session/discussion together as way of saying thanks!

I am really looking forward to finishing out my study room. I am also looking for a small table (night stand size) and a cozy little chair for my guests and for when I want a comfortable reading spot.

Embrace the geek within you!

. . . According to Finney

January 2, 2009 in Apologetics, Discipleship, Theology with 0 Comments

The following text is taken from Sermons on Gospel Themes by Charles G. Finney. I got this text from my Bible software MacSword. While I was roaming through some of the eBooks I have downloaded for this program, I came across this book and found the following passage quite intriguing. Intriguing because it is something we all know to be true, intriguing because Finney puts it very clear and plain in an apologetic and logical manner.

When I read this it brought to mind all the times I have “blamed” God for my sins. It is amazing how such a small piece of literature can cause so much thinking. So, without any further hesitation, may I present to you Finney:

I. Every excuse for sin condemns God.

This will be apparent if we consider,

1. That nothing can be sin for which there is a justifiable excuse.

This is entirely self-evident. It therefore needs neither elucidation nor proof.

2. If God condemns that for which there is a good excuse, He must be wrong. This also is self-evident. If God condemns what we have good reason for doing, no intelligence in the universe can justify Him.

3. But God does condemn all sin. He condemns it utterly, and will not allow the least apology or excuse for it. Hence, either there is no apology for it, or God is wrong.

4. Consequently, every excuse for sin charges blame upon God, and virtually accuses Him of tyranny. Whoever pleads an excuse for sin, therefore, charges God with blame.

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