Courage?

An excerpt from today's Wall Street Journal article by Vauhini Vara, entitled "Moral Dilemma: When Weddings Are a Career Risk":

The Rev. Greg Comella, a Catholic priest and professor at a theological union in Berkeley, Calif., made the opposite decision from Ms. Lindsay. (a United Methodist minister who has decided to perform same-sex weddings in violation of UMC rules.) Last month, a former student, who has known Father Comella nearly 30 years, asked him to officiate at his same-sex wedding. Father Comella, 61, wrestled with this question but decided not to do it. If he were excommunicated, he would no longer be able to effect change through teaching, he says. It was also a personal decision: He has Parkinson's disease and worries about losing his health care benefits. "I felt guilty for letting them down and not being able to be more courageous," he says. (emphasis mine)

Just a couple of thoughts that came to mind as I was reading the WSJ over a cup of coffee early this morning:

1) If he isn't in agreement with his church's teachings, and teaches contrary to them while representing his church in an official capacity, then isn't he at risk of excommunication regardless of his practice? Otherwise, why would he care for his communicant status?

2) Wouldn't it be more "courageous" to be in compliance with Biblical standards rather than changing cultural expectations?

I have a feeling that same-sex "weddings" are going to result in a great winnowing of the wheat from the chaff.

Vote for Obama

It is hard to argue with this convincing argument for an Obama presidency.

Let's all work together for an "Obama Nation".

Coming Soon to a Court Near You

Court overturns father's grounding of a 12 year old girl.

I would laugh if it wasn't so sad. Once again we see that parents are considered incapable of raising their children. The courts know best, and the average guy wanting to protect his child is stripped of his parental authority.

Take heed lest you fall

One more example in the news as to why we should constantly cling to Christ and mortify the flesh.

Sad as this is for the family and the local church, it is sadder yet that the world will use this as one more excuse to slander the name of God. What you do is never private, there are always others who experience the consequences of your sin.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12, ESV)

A Public Apology...

...to every living thing that has ever died.

I just returned from the veterinarian's office, where I had our beloved family dog, Cora, put to sleep. She was just nine years old, and had been in good health up until this past week when she began showing symptoms of kidney failure. She spent 48 hours in the animal hospital, but even after extensive treatment she was still showing blood tests levels that were off the charts, even with some improvement. We thought that maybe she wasn't eating due to the hospital setting, and brought her home last night to see if that would help. Everything that she ate or drank was vomited up within a minute, and she began to show signs of shutdown, to the point that she was unable to walk before noon today. She had a very peaceful passing, but one of the last things I told her was "I'm sorry". Now, I might not be thinking too clearly at present, but I really should be sorry.

I should be sorry that death is the result of man's sin. In Romans 5 we read:

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin (Romans 5:12a, ESV)

When you stop and think about it, puppy dogs, and gold fish, and every other living thing dies because man sinned. Death is the result of sin.

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. (Romans 8:19-22, ESV)

All of that groaning, all of that pain, all of that suffering, all of that misery is the result of OUR sin. Yes, God will make all things right, and break the curse of sin and death, but death and suffering in creation are the result of sin. Not sin in puppy dogs, but sin in men.

Yes, Cora, I truly am sorry.

Cora
1998-2008
A very good dog

Pretty Amazing Grace?

A couple of reasons why Neil Diamond's "Pretty Amazing Grace" isn't going to replace John Newton's original:

I was an empty vessel
You filled me up inside
and with amazing grace restored my pride

Is "pride restoration" the purpose of God's grace? I thought that God's grace humbled us.

You forgave my insensitivity
and my attempt to then mislead You

"Forgave my insensitivity"? "Attempt to mislead you"? Whatever happened to sin and rebellion against the Creator?

look in a mirror I see Your reflection
open a book You live on every page

Maybe if it said open THE book, but this looks very pantheistic.

Came to You with empty pockets first
when I returned I was rich man

I guess that they will be singing this at Joel Osteen's church.

Just to get the "bad taste" out of our mouths, let's all join together in singing a real hymn about the grace of God:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

Squishy on Doctrine --> Bad in Practice

R. Albert Mohler reminds us today that being "Squishy" on Doctrine leads to bad practice:

Pagan Quakers - A Sign of the Times

Camels and Needle Eyes

From NBC News:

Jesus wants you to drive a Bentley convertible.

And while you are at it, divorce your wife so that she can start her own ministry.

Why Are They All Smiling?

Guess My Crime

Godly Man's Picture - Our View of Sin

As I have stated previously, it would be near to impossible to follow all of the "pellets" that Watson delivers with his "scattergun" approach in this book. However, it is important that we dig out some of the most important points. What follows is a short statement on why our sin should drive us to disgust and weeping:

The sin of a justified person is very odious...because he acts contrary to his own principles. He sins not only against the rule, but against his principles, against his knowledge, vows, prayers, hopes, experiences. He knows how dear sin will cost him, yet he adventures upon the forbidden fruit. ( pg. 57)

The Apostle Paul felt this way (Romans Chapter Seven), and so should we. Our sin should be "odious" to us, not only because it is unlawful, but due to the fact that it violates all that we are.

Dying Alone

Dr. R. Albert Mohler shares some troubling information today on the tragic impact of our throw away culture. He points out that one of the results of divorce is the tendency for relationships between grown children of divorce and their parents to grow cold and distant. As a result, there is a lessening sense of responsibility towards parents as they grow old and feeble.

Knowing that a great number of divorces occur due to selfishness ("I need a new partner", "She doesn't satisfy me anymore", etc.), isn't it ironic that one of the results is abandonment and loss.

We truly reap what we sow.

Moment of Truth?

While reading a post on the longevity of Richard Sibbes' "The Bruised Reed", I found dec's comment to be thought provoking. In response to Timmy's question as to whether we will discuss our reading in heaven, he said: Good question. Do you think we’ll be discussing Fox’s “The Moment of Truth” or Sibbes’ “The Bruised Reed”?

We might think that the answer is apparent, but I am not so sure. If we spend any time discussing "The Moment of Truth", it will probably be for reasons other than it's merit. I think that we can see human depravity at its very worse in this show.

First, let me confess that I saw 15-20 minutes of that show. I think that I will see if Fox can't give me that 15-20 minutes of my life back. For those who haven't experienced the torment, let me fill you in on the premise of this show. Contestants are strapped to a lie detector, and then answer a series of increasingly embarrassing questions in order to win money. If the lie detector indicates deceit they go home empty handed. Colleagues and loved ones are on the platform during this exercise in order to add to the pressure and shame.

From what I saw, the contestant struggled with the questions, wondering just how far he could go without tripping off the lie detector. This was for the princely sum of $10,000, not exactly "big money". I saw that the board went all the way to $500,000, but based on the nature of the 10 grand questions I can only wonder if the only appropriate question for that level is "Would you sell your soul to the Devil for a 1/2 million dollars?'.

Yet, whether that question is ever reached, it appears that this is exactly what is happening. Am I willing to expose myself to ridicule and shame for filthy lucre? Just how far can I go before I am caught in my deceit? Am I willing to sacrifice my friends, my loved ones, and my reputation for a quick buck?

If this show lasts more than a couple of episodes it will be a sad indicator as to how low we can go in the name of entertainment.

Yes, we might discuss "The Moment of Truth" in eternity to come, but only as a way of recognizing the deceitful nature of our fallen hearts and the great redemption found in Christ Jesus.

Warning! Graphic!

If you don't have a strong stomach you won't want to click on this link. Even if you do you won't want to click on this link, but you should:

Between Two Worlds: This Is Abortion

Can a nation that does this 1.3 million times each year hope to escape God's judgment?

Valley of Vision - Self-Noughting

"Self-Noughting" may require some translation for the 21st century reader. Nought (or more commonly naught) is an archaic term for "nothing" or "zero", thus "Self-Noughting" is self deprecation or self denial.

O Lord,
Help me to approach thee
with becoming conception of thy nature,
relations and designs.
Thou inhabitest eternity, and
my life is nothing before thee;
Thou dwellest in the highest heaven and
this cannot contain thee;
I live in a house of clay.
Thy power is almighty;
I am crushed before the moth.
Thy understanding is infinite;
I know nothing as I ought to know.
Thou canst not behold evil;
I am vile.
In my ignorance, weakness, fears, depressions,
may thy Spirit help my infirmities
with supplies of wisdom, strength and comfort.
Let me faithfully study my character,
be willing to bring it to light,
observe myself in my trials,
judge the reality and degree of my grace,
consider how I have been ensnared or overcome.
Grant that I may never trust my heart,
depend upon any past experiences,
magnify any present resolutions,
but be strong in the grace of Jesus:
that I may know how to obtain relief
from a guilty conscience
without feeling reconciled to my imperfections.
Sustain me under my trials
and improve them to me;
give me grace to rest in thee,
and assure me of deliverance.
May I always combine thy majesty
with thy mercy,
and connect thy goodness
with thy greatness.
Then shall my heart always rejoice
in praise to thee.

These are words that we need to remember daily. Posted on the wall in front of my desk (where I can read it every workday) is this small prayer as a reminder:

I know not what difficulties, or trials, or temptations, may be before me this day. Prepare me whether for duty or for conflict. Knowing the treachery of the heart, I desire this morning, and each morning, to receive fresh supplies of your grace.

May we be ever mindful of the treachery of our hearts and depend upon Christ, and Christ alone, for the grace that we need daily.

Pyromaniacs: I'm Fallen, and I Can't Get Up!

A must read from our fellow fire starters.

Pyromaniacs: I'm Fallen, and I Can't Get Up!

This goes along perfectly with the selection from my morning reading in the Psalms:

Psalm 14 (ESV)

The Fool Says, There Is No God

To the choirmaster. Of David.

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,
there is none who does good.

2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.

3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.

4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread
and do not call upon the Lord?

5 There they are in great terror,
for God is with the generation of the righteous.
6 You would shame the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is his refuge.

7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Today's Grace Gem - Repentance

When we are lepers in our own eyes!

(Thomas Watson, "The Doctrine of Repentance")

"Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked
deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins
and detestable practices!" Ezekiel 36:31

A true penitent is a sin-loather. If a man loathes that
which makes his stomach sick, much more will he loathe
that which makes his soul sick! It is greater to loathe
sin—than to leave it. The nauseating and loathing of
sin, argues a detestation of it.

Christ is never loved—until sin is loathed.

Heaven is never longed for—until sin is loathed.

When the soul sees its filthiness, he cries out, "Lord,
when shall I be freed from this body of death! When
shall I put off these filthy garments of sin—and be
arrayed in the robe of Your perfect righteousness!
Let all my self-love be turned into self-loathing!"

We are never more precious in God's eyes—than
when we are lepers in our own eyes!

The more bitterness we taste in sin—
the more sweetness we shall taste in Christ!

(If you are not receiving a daily Grace Gem in your mailbox, check out Grace Gems.)

Broken Promises

The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
- Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV)

As I was reading Spurgeon's Cheque Book of Faith this morning, the Scripture "promise" that was listed was Matthew 26:33 - 'Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.'

Spurgeon already anticipated my complaint: "What kind of a promise is that?", and proceeded to remind me that the promises of men are not to be trusted, lending even more weight to the promises of God. He ends the day's meditation with these words:

Trust not thyself nor any born of woman, beyond due bounds; but trust thou only and wholly in the Lord.

My promises may fail, due to the deceitful nature of my heart, but the promises of God never fail.