I am making the switch to WORDPRESS. They have prettier templates and cool features!!
I'm not finished with it but here's the address:
www.inlightofeternity.wordpress.com
I think you can link to my FaithMarks as well. can't remember the website - I think www.faithmarks.wordpress.com
See you there!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Calvinism is cool....
I know I know, enough on Calvinism. Honestly, this blog is more for me to collect thoughts and articles and express myself more than anything else. So anyway, I thought this was an interesting read from a self-proclaimed non-Calvinist.
Internet Monk
Internet Monk
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Is God Who I Think He Is?
Taken from "What's So Great about the Doctrines of Grace?" by Richard Phillips. It's an excellent first book to learn about the beauty and wonder of the reformed doctrines we love.
Have you ever heard someone declare, (or said it yourself): "I'd never believe in a God who..." You fill in the blank. I'd never believe in a God who decrees death and tsunamis. I'd never believe in a God who chooses some but not others. I'd never believe in a God who doesn't let me choose Him of my own free will. God isn't like that. God couldn't be like that. God wouldn't do that...
The more I study Scripture, the more I realize how truly far from truth I am when I form my own thoughts about God. For instance, what's fair is fair right? And God is fair, so He must treat us all fairly, right? True, God is fair - in the purest and most absolute sense of the word. It is we humans who have a distorted view of what is fair and right. Fair is not all things being equal, being treated equal, getting our equal share in life. In fact, if God was fair like that, we would be hurled into the eternal abyss right now. If we all get what we deserved, we would all die in our sins. But God, ... don't you love that? BUT GOD.... In His Wisdom, Justice and Grace catapulted the most incredible cosmic Plan - and blew our notion of fairness right out the limited realm of human understanding. He saved me. He saved ME. He SAVED me. Undeservedly, kindly, sacrificially, beautifully saved me. Thank God He didn't treat me with my sense of fairness.
And that is just one aspect of God that we are woefully incapable of wrapping our puny brains around. Only through faith, through the divine revelation of the Holy Spirit can we even come close to comprehending and appreciating God. Shape my vision of You, Lord!
Have you ever heard someone declare, (or said it yourself): "I'd never believe in a God who..." You fill in the blank. I'd never believe in a God who decrees death and tsunamis. I'd never believe in a God who chooses some but not others. I'd never believe in a God who doesn't let me choose Him of my own free will. God isn't like that. God couldn't be like that. God wouldn't do that...
The first question we need to ask is this: are Christians to believe what seems right about God according to our wisdom, or are we to humbly accept the plain teaching of God’s Word? Arminians inform us what is ‘thinkable’ about God and what God ‘would’ and ‘would not’ do. . . . Does Paul say, ‘Well, if you don’t think that’s right or good, then God will be happy to conform to your opinion?’ Is that what we would like? If we know the truth about ourselves and the worthiness of our opinions, we will not want that. Neither does the eternal, holy, exalted Creator God have the slightest intention of conforming to our expectations and demands.
-Richard Phillips-
The more I study Scripture, the more I realize how truly far from truth I am when I form my own thoughts about God. For instance, what's fair is fair right? And God is fair, so He must treat us all fairly, right? True, God is fair - in the purest and most absolute sense of the word. It is we humans who have a distorted view of what is fair and right. Fair is not all things being equal, being treated equal, getting our equal share in life. In fact, if God was fair like that, we would be hurled into the eternal abyss right now. If we all get what we deserved, we would all die in our sins. But God, ... don't you love that? BUT GOD.... In His Wisdom, Justice and Grace catapulted the most incredible cosmic Plan - and blew our notion of fairness right out the limited realm of human understanding. He saved me. He saved ME. He SAVED me. Undeservedly, kindly, sacrificially, beautifully saved me. Thank God He didn't treat me with my sense of fairness.
And that is just one aspect of God that we are woefully incapable of wrapping our puny brains around. Only through faith, through the divine revelation of the Holy Spirit can we even come close to comprehending and appreciating God. Shape my vision of You, Lord!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Grace in Adversity
This article is an excerpt from the "Adversity" chapter of a book called, "When Grace Comes Home" by Terry Johnson. What a difference from the 'Why God?' responses we generally express when something tragic or adverse happen in our lives. We ask "Why God?" because we know that God is in control, He has all power, He is a good God hating evil - but then we limit Him because we falsely hold a belief that somehow God could not stop the tragedy.
I've always believed that God MUST have a reason but stopped there. I realize that I fail to trust Him and rest in His Sovereignty. This article challenges us to consider not only the fact that God is All-Powerful and Sovereign, but that we can fully trust and rest in His Good and Wise Purposes for us who believe and love Him.
If you have time, read this excerpt.
When Grace Comes Home
.
I've always believed that God MUST have a reason but stopped there. I realize that I fail to trust Him and rest in His Sovereignty. This article challenges us to consider not only the fact that God is All-Powerful and Sovereign, but that we can fully trust and rest in His Good and Wise Purposes for us who believe and love Him.
If you have time, read this excerpt.
When Grace Comes Home
.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Reverent Handling of Scripture
Consider these quotes from the introduction to Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John.
AMEN brother!
We live in a day of abounding vagueness and indistinctness on doctrinal subjects in religion.
I hold not only that the Bible contains the Word of God, but that every jot of it was written, or brought together, by Divine inspiration, and is the Word of God.
I must be allowed to add, that in interpreting Scripture, I "call no man master or father." I abhor the idea of wresting and warping God's Word in order to make it support party views.
I am content to remember that all inspiration is a miraculous operation of the Holy Ghost, and, like every operation of the Holy Ghost, must needs be mysterious.
I believe that the whole Bible, as it came originally from the hands of the inspired writers, was verbally perfect and without flaw. I believe that the inspired writers were infallibly guided by the Holy Ghost, both in their selection of matter and their choice of words. I believe that even now, when we cannot explain alleged difficulties in Holy Scripture, the wisest course is to blame the interpreter and not the text, to suspect our own ignorance to be in fault, and not any defect in God's Word.
I believe that the want of our age is not more "free" handling of the Bible, but more "reverent" handling, more humility, more patient study, and more prayer.
AMEN brother!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Thoughts on John 1
I've started re-reading the gospel of John and paying special attention to it from a fresh new perspective. I am noticing things in it that I've never seen before and want to show how clearly the doctrines of grace are spread through out this book.
The first few verses that really caught my eye were v: 11-13
It says that the Lord Jesus, "came to His own", He is God the Creator from whom all things "came into being" and He came in the flesh among His creation. However, "those who were His own did not receive Him". His own, mankind and the nation of Israel, did not recognize Him nor did they receive Him as Messiah as a whole.
"But as many as received Him", those who did "believe in His name" were given "the right to become children of God". Some DID believe in Him - notice the word 'many' which will come later in Mark's gospel rendition - "He came to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mk 10:45) These 'many' have believed and received Him.
Notice also that those who became the children of God, were not born:
1) "of blood" - not through family, nor of physical inheritance, not because the parents were believers, not because they belonged to the chosen people of God
2) "nor of the will of the flesh" - not because of anything in us that desired Him nor because we wanted to believe in Him, for "those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh" (Rom 8:5) and "those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom 8:8)
3) "nor of the will of man" - can it be more clear that it's not due to the 'free will' of man, that man has anything within his will that would freely and completely choose Him? Without God's intervention, our wills are incapable of choosing Him.
BUT OF GOD:
Man cannot and will not believe in God without a work of the Holy Spirit in his heart. Belief in Him, receiving Him, becoming a child of God - all are bestowed by God, by His grace alone and not because of anything found in man.
Praise Him for His marvelous grace!
The first few verses that really caught my eye were v: 11-13
It says that the Lord Jesus, "came to His own", He is God the Creator from whom all things "came into being" and He came in the flesh among His creation. However, "those who were His own did not receive Him". His own, mankind and the nation of Israel, did not recognize Him nor did they receive Him as Messiah as a whole.
"But as many as received Him", those who did "believe in His name" were given "the right to become children of God". Some DID believe in Him - notice the word 'many' which will come later in Mark's gospel rendition - "He came to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mk 10:45) These 'many' have believed and received Him.
Notice also that those who became the children of God, were not born:
1) "of blood" - not through family, nor of physical inheritance, not because the parents were believers, not because they belonged to the chosen people of God
2) "nor of the will of the flesh" - not because of anything in us that desired Him nor because we wanted to believe in Him, for "those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh" (Rom 8:5) and "those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom 8:8)
3) "nor of the will of man" - can it be more clear that it's not due to the 'free will' of man, that man has anything within his will that would freely and completely choose Him? Without God's intervention, our wills are incapable of choosing Him.
BUT OF GOD:
Man cannot and will not believe in God without a work of the Holy Spirit in his heart. Belief in Him, receiving Him, becoming a child of God - all are bestowed by God, by His grace alone and not because of anything found in man.
Praise Him for His marvelous grace!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Theology
We need to be reminded that studying theology is not about obtaining vast amounts of intellectual knowledge in order to puff oneself up. We don't study theology because we love it (we do!) or because we are captivated by it (we are) and because it's thrilling (it is) to study it. I love this quote by Sinclair B. Ferguson:
"The goal of theology is the worship of God. The posture of theology is on one's knees. The mode of theology is repentance."
"The goal of theology is the worship of God. The posture of theology is on one's knees. The mode of theology is repentance."
Monday, April 21, 2008
What's the Big Deal?
I know you might be wondering: "What's the big deal about so-called Calvinism? About the doctrines of grace? I believe it to be true - I agree with most points. What is so different or so compelling about it that you border on fanaticism?"
I've been wanting to write something to share this but can't seem to find the words, nor the time. However, I found an article by Piper that reflects my feelings about how these doctrines have changed my life. How they have transformed the way I view God, view salvation, view my sinfulness, view my place in this world. It changed the way I worship, the way I pray, the way I view circumstances and events. It changed the way I thank Him, the way I don't thank me, the way I study and look and feel about the Scriptures. My heart is burning within me, I want to talk to you about Him but sometimes don't know how - because I want to burst with the wonderful knowledge of it all. It's too wonderful for me!
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/2002/1519_Ten_Effects_of_Believing_in_the_Five_Points_of_Calvinism/
In fact, nothing is more important to me than knowing God. The One, True God of the Bible. I have grown up with a misdirected, watered-down version of the gospel - which in some cases is not the gospel at all. Ask me about it. Let's chat. I am not eloquent in my explanation but can assure you that what we've traditionally considered right is not worthy of Him. I'm not undermining what you believe or think. I'm not judging your passion for Him or your love of Christ. Surely you love Him. I'm writing about ME and what I've experienced.
Modern-day, American Christianity has turned into a pop-culture, trendy, feel-good, self-serving, money-venture reminiscent of the group of thieves in front of God's Holy temple. It's produced Christians who are secure in self-convinced assurance, man-made quips and a God who is 'safe'. Perhaps you think I'm exaggerating? For years, I've wondered: if the Holy Spirit is as powerful and life-changing as the Bible claims, wouldn't the Christian, as the temple of this Holy Spirit, be completely transformed? What is all this wishy-washiness in my life? Why the dryness? Why the laziness? Why the weakness? Why the disinterest?
We are sinners. The more I learn about God and His Word, the more I tremble before Him. How inadequate, how unable, how truly lost I am without Him!! I can NOT dig myself out of some of the deep pits I've dug, how much less can I dig myself out of my spiritual bottomless pit! You know that picture of the sinner who God wants to save, the picture of God holding out the ticket, the life-jacket, the hand that saves and Julie, reaching up in order to take it, accepting it, asking and willing to receive it? That's the picture we have of a sinner being saved and our responsibility to reach out our hand and take it. Well, that's giving us too much credit.
The true picture is more like this: I am completely dead in my sins. I was born dead. In fact, I'm so dead that I stink. I have absolutely no power in me to even reach out. To even call out to Jesus, Lord save me! As one person said it, I'm more like the man "at the bottom of the ocean in the Marianas trench, more than thirty-five thousand feet deep. The weight of the water on top of him is six tons for every square inch. He has been there for a thousand years and the sharks have eaten his heart. In other words, the man is dead and is totally unable to ask any lifeguard to save him. If he is to be saved, a miracle must occur. He must be brought back to life and to the surface, and then he can ask the guard to rescue him."
I'm rotting in the grave and then it's the Lord Jesus, who calls out, "Julie, come forth!" Am I alive the moment I take the first step? The moment I put one foot in front of the other? No, I'm alive when He breathes life in me, when the Holy Spirit infuses His power that gives me the strength to even put one ounce of energy into that dead corpse.
Can I tell you something? The gospel that is proclaimed - as sincere as it may be - and even as much as God still produces true believers, of that I have no doubt, - the proclaimed gospel nowadays is somewhat 'goatish'. What I mean by that is that the gospel as many know it has produced 'goats' instead of true 'sheep'. I'm grieved to consider that there will be many who believe they are saved and at the last day will say, "Lord, Lord." But the Lord will say, "I never knew you." I believe there are many, who are psychologically convinced they are saved, have some form of behavioral modification, moral improvements and even have inner moments of peace, joy, happiness, love etc. They have 'tasted' the heavenly gift and have been made a partaker of the Holy Spirit and the blessings He produces - yet, they are not truly saved. Be aware that it is not 'fruit' when you stop smoking, drinking, cursing and watching horror movies. These are all things that can be mustered up even in an unregenerate life. I have more to say on this, not to leave you hanging but this deserves a post all on its own. Let us examine ourselves. Do we truly believe? What do we truly believe? Who do we truly believe in? What evidence is there that shows that we truly believe? It's a frightening and humbling exercise. Let me tell you.
It's such a big deal. It's an all-encompassing deal. Let's talk about it. Blog about it. Email about it. Whatever it takes to hash it out so that we look at God as the Sovereign, Sufficient, Supreme God that He truly is. He is the Big Deal.
I've been wanting to write something to share this but can't seem to find the words, nor the time. However, I found an article by Piper that reflects my feelings about how these doctrines have changed my life. How they have transformed the way I view God, view salvation, view my sinfulness, view my place in this world. It changed the way I worship, the way I pray, the way I view circumstances and events. It changed the way I thank Him, the way I don't thank me, the way I study and look and feel about the Scriptures. My heart is burning within me, I want to talk to you about Him but sometimes don't know how - because I want to burst with the wonderful knowledge of it all. It's too wonderful for me!
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/2002/1519_Ten_Effects_of_Believing_in_the_Five_Points_of_Calvinism/
In fact, nothing is more important to me than knowing God. The One, True God of the Bible. I have grown up with a misdirected, watered-down version of the gospel - which in some cases is not the gospel at all. Ask me about it. Let's chat. I am not eloquent in my explanation but can assure you that what we've traditionally considered right is not worthy of Him. I'm not undermining what you believe or think. I'm not judging your passion for Him or your love of Christ. Surely you love Him. I'm writing about ME and what I've experienced.
Modern-day, American Christianity has turned into a pop-culture, trendy, feel-good, self-serving, money-venture reminiscent of the group of thieves in front of God's Holy temple. It's produced Christians who are secure in self-convinced assurance, man-made quips and a God who is 'safe'. Perhaps you think I'm exaggerating? For years, I've wondered: if the Holy Spirit is as powerful and life-changing as the Bible claims, wouldn't the Christian, as the temple of this Holy Spirit, be completely transformed? What is all this wishy-washiness in my life? Why the dryness? Why the laziness? Why the weakness? Why the disinterest?
We are sinners. The more I learn about God and His Word, the more I tremble before Him. How inadequate, how unable, how truly lost I am without Him!! I can NOT dig myself out of some of the deep pits I've dug, how much less can I dig myself out of my spiritual bottomless pit! You know that picture of the sinner who God wants to save, the picture of God holding out the ticket, the life-jacket, the hand that saves and Julie, reaching up in order to take it, accepting it, asking and willing to receive it? That's the picture we have of a sinner being saved and our responsibility to reach out our hand and take it. Well, that's giving us too much credit.
The true picture is more like this: I am completely dead in my sins. I was born dead. In fact, I'm so dead that I stink. I have absolutely no power in me to even reach out. To even call out to Jesus, Lord save me! As one person said it, I'm more like the man "at the bottom of the ocean in the Marianas trench, more than thirty-five thousand feet deep. The weight of the water on top of him is six tons for every square inch. He has been there for a thousand years and the sharks have eaten his heart. In other words, the man is dead and is totally unable to ask any lifeguard to save him. If he is to be saved, a miracle must occur. He must be brought back to life and to the surface, and then he can ask the guard to rescue him."
I'm rotting in the grave and then it's the Lord Jesus, who calls out, "Julie, come forth!" Am I alive the moment I take the first step? The moment I put one foot in front of the other? No, I'm alive when He breathes life in me, when the Holy Spirit infuses His power that gives me the strength to even put one ounce of energy into that dead corpse.
Can I tell you something? The gospel that is proclaimed - as sincere as it may be - and even as much as God still produces true believers, of that I have no doubt, - the proclaimed gospel nowadays is somewhat 'goatish'. What I mean by that is that the gospel as many know it has produced 'goats' instead of true 'sheep'. I'm grieved to consider that there will be many who believe they are saved and at the last day will say, "Lord, Lord." But the Lord will say, "I never knew you." I believe there are many, who are psychologically convinced they are saved, have some form of behavioral modification, moral improvements and even have inner moments of peace, joy, happiness, love etc. They have 'tasted' the heavenly gift and have been made a partaker of the Holy Spirit and the blessings He produces - yet, they are not truly saved. Be aware that it is not 'fruit' when you stop smoking, drinking, cursing and watching horror movies. These are all things that can be mustered up even in an unregenerate life. I have more to say on this, not to leave you hanging but this deserves a post all on its own. Let us examine ourselves. Do we truly believe? What do we truly believe? Who do we truly believe in? What evidence is there that shows that we truly believe? It's a frightening and humbling exercise. Let me tell you.
It's such a big deal. It's an all-encompassing deal. Let's talk about it. Blog about it. Email about it. Whatever it takes to hash it out so that we look at God as the Sovereign, Sufficient, Supreme God that He truly is. He is the Big Deal.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Bible Ribbon Markers
Link to allthingsbookish.com or my blog: http://allthingsbookish.blogspot.com/ to see FaithMarks.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Doctrinal Whirlwind in 2007
The past 9 months have been full of confusion, revelation, realization, transformation. I thought that I knew and understood what I believe in and then I experienced my deep-seated belief system come tumbling down as the very foundation got shaken. Starting with the Romans study in BSF and the lecture in Romans 9-11 - I have been passionately and compulsively studying the doctrine of grace otherwise commonly known as Calvinism. I hate to label things because while studying I realize that I am studying Scripture and trying to interpret Scripture with Scripture not just interpret Scripture through the lens of some human interpretation. How difficult it's been! I have been shaken up because my very view of God seems to be faulty! The more I am studying the higher my view of God - however, it's been a mix of a sense of awe, terror and reverence - for God really is the AWESOME, All-powerful and Sovereign God that I claimed to believe in.
I have no problem with the first part of the TULIP - namely Total Depravity. It is clear in the Bible that man left to himself would not choose God - there is none righteous, none who does good, none who seeks Him. Although we are not all living in our totally depraved state, the Bible is clear that without His grace and mercy, we would not even have the desire to seek Him. There is nothing good in us apart from Him. To me, this is clear - over and over again.
Unconditional election - Or more like, Sovereign Election - This too seems very well supported scripturally but it's tough to understand. Some are chosen by God to be saved. He chose us before the foundation of the world to be His. This doesn't mean that God foreknew who would choose Him therefore He elected us. That would truly put the power in man's choice - his free will - but that really supplants God. Man will choose therefore God elects? The order seems wrong doesn't it? The word foreknow doesn't even apply to knowing ahead of time an action - rather, it talks about foreknowing someone, foreknowing the relationship with His elect, fore-loving His own, if that makes sense. Over and over again, Scripture tells us that God chooses us, God calls us, God gives us the faith to believe and God draws us to Him. I have always thought that yes, God does draw us to Himself but from then on it's up to us to accept or receive His gift of eternal life. This is partly true in that we have the responsibility to believe or reject the Lord Jesus but this cannot happen without the Holy Spirit working in us.
Limited atonement - or as someone put it, definitive atonement? This is to say that Christ died for the elect and only the elect. That the power of His death was not an umbrella atonement that covers the sin of all mankind - and it's up to the individual to go under the 'blood' so to speak in order to be saved. When Jesus died, was His death sufficient to forgive sins and atone for the sins of all who believe? Of course! But saying that Jesus' death did atone but we have to choose to accept really nullifies the efficacy of His blood. He paid the price for sinners, therefore there is no more debt. However, there are those who have died and have gone to hell because they have refused to believe - therefore, the penalty was paid twice - once by Christ and once by the sinner. All that to say that Jesus died to save those whom the Father gave to Him. He didn't die for all mankind. Isn't that so different than what I grew up with? It's hard to swallow but I have scripture to back it up.
Irresistible Grace - I prefer effectual grace - is that when God calls us in Christ and gives us the faith and the desire to receive - we are compelled to believe, compelled to receive. Because He has given us the faith necessary to believe we're able to. There's more to be said on all this but for now, just a summary!
Last but not least, the perseverance of the Saints. This not only includes the common understanding of eternal security, "Once saved, always saved." It's so much more than that!! It has to do with truly being born again, truly being sealed with the Holy Spirit, truly adopted into the family of our Heavenly Father and then God preserving us until the end. There is eternal fruit that manifests itself in the life of a true believer. I often did wonder how a person can really be saved and then go on and on in sin. I found that to be so inconsistent with what I was reading in Scripture. This is now making sense. We hear of those who claimed to be a believer who became a muslim or atheist. We hear of those who were in the missionary field and then forsook the Christian faith that took them there. Of course, true believers can fail and even carry on in sin temporarily but a true believer will not persist living in that sinful condition.
There's so much for me to write! I will be recording some of my thoughts in the next little while. If you're reading this, leave me a comment!
I have no problem with the first part of the TULIP - namely Total Depravity. It is clear in the Bible that man left to himself would not choose God - there is none righteous, none who does good, none who seeks Him. Although we are not all living in our totally depraved state, the Bible is clear that without His grace and mercy, we would not even have the desire to seek Him. There is nothing good in us apart from Him. To me, this is clear - over and over again.
Unconditional election - Or more like, Sovereign Election - This too seems very well supported scripturally but it's tough to understand. Some are chosen by God to be saved. He chose us before the foundation of the world to be His. This doesn't mean that God foreknew who would choose Him therefore He elected us. That would truly put the power in man's choice - his free will - but that really supplants God. Man will choose therefore God elects? The order seems wrong doesn't it? The word foreknow doesn't even apply to knowing ahead of time an action - rather, it talks about foreknowing someone, foreknowing the relationship with His elect, fore-loving His own, if that makes sense. Over and over again, Scripture tells us that God chooses us, God calls us, God gives us the faith to believe and God draws us to Him. I have always thought that yes, God does draw us to Himself but from then on it's up to us to accept or receive His gift of eternal life. This is partly true in that we have the responsibility to believe or reject the Lord Jesus but this cannot happen without the Holy Spirit working in us.
Limited atonement - or as someone put it, definitive atonement? This is to say that Christ died for the elect and only the elect. That the power of His death was not an umbrella atonement that covers the sin of all mankind - and it's up to the individual to go under the 'blood' so to speak in order to be saved. When Jesus died, was His death sufficient to forgive sins and atone for the sins of all who believe? Of course! But saying that Jesus' death did atone but we have to choose to accept really nullifies the efficacy of His blood. He paid the price for sinners, therefore there is no more debt. However, there are those who have died and have gone to hell because they have refused to believe - therefore, the penalty was paid twice - once by Christ and once by the sinner. All that to say that Jesus died to save those whom the Father gave to Him. He didn't die for all mankind. Isn't that so different than what I grew up with? It's hard to swallow but I have scripture to back it up.
Irresistible Grace - I prefer effectual grace - is that when God calls us in Christ and gives us the faith and the desire to receive - we are compelled to believe, compelled to receive. Because He has given us the faith necessary to believe we're able to. There's more to be said on all this but for now, just a summary!
Last but not least, the perseverance of the Saints. This not only includes the common understanding of eternal security, "Once saved, always saved." It's so much more than that!! It has to do with truly being born again, truly being sealed with the Holy Spirit, truly adopted into the family of our Heavenly Father and then God preserving us until the end. There is eternal fruit that manifests itself in the life of a true believer. I often did wonder how a person can really be saved and then go on and on in sin. I found that to be so inconsistent with what I was reading in Scripture. This is now making sense. We hear of those who claimed to be a believer who became a muslim or atheist. We hear of those who were in the missionary field and then forsook the Christian faith that took them there. Of course, true believers can fail and even carry on in sin temporarily but a true believer will not persist living in that sinful condition.
There's so much for me to write! I will be recording some of my thoughts in the next little while. If you're reading this, leave me a comment!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Some thoughts on Joel Osteen
Since he IS America's most popular preacher and the pastor of the largest church in America, consistently on the bestsellers' list, and is aired worldwide, I thought to write some thoughts and quote some articles that reveal who he really is and what he preaches. There's too much for me to actually write but there are plenty of articles that can convince you that he is a false teacher.
From what I read about Joel Osteen (and his very own words have confirmed it), he is just a motivational speaker profiting from the large group of marginal, professing Christians - because he preaches the gospel of success and prosperity and what's called the Word Faith movement. When you've got the largest mega-church in America - 30,000+ and counting - you've got to wonder what's wrong with the picture? I'm not saying that God cannot or does not give success to churches who preach and teach the truth - I'm saying that what Jesus has to say is not very POPULAR so if it's attracting people by the droves, you've got to wonder why.
So, I researched just a bit because I'm all for reading books by good authors and even listening to good speakers at times. My first exposure (and subsequent ) to him, my dh and I waited for more. He was all flashy and spoke quickly and motivationally, adding stuff that would appeal to those who liked upbeat, feel-good material. But there was NO meat. And although I didn't hear anything outright unBiblical during that show, I did read material that would definitely be so.
One thing that he is known for is the fact that he will not preach about sin, does not even like to USE the word sin, does not want to bring out ANYTHING negative like hell and eternal judgment because there are plenty of others who do. He wants to preach the 'good news' and only the good news. I have to say that the gospel is only good news because the bad news is so bad. He also shied away from saying that Jesus is the only way when interviewed by Larry King or whoever it was. I'm sure you can google all this and read article after article. Just try googling Joel Osteen sin and you get a bunch of articles. Anyway, when asked, "Well what about Muslims and Hindus etc etc. Is Jesus the only way?" He hemmed and hawed and said several times, "I don't know." I don't want to quote him out of context so I would say to read the entire interview. You will be surprised.
Quote
Sounds pretty flaky to me - especially when he claims that the gospel of Jesus is what he lives for.
And just read how big this church is. It's just something to make you go hmmm~~~
Don't get me wrong - it's not necessary that a large church be a seeker-friendly, wishy-washy, unbiblical church. And maybe i'll get flamed for the "seeker-friendly" comment.
The message he preaches is all about 'claiming verses' and having faith enough to prosper or have victory or both. In my opinion, he presents God as the cosmic genie condescending to humans as One who makes all their wishes come true. Too bad the Chinese Christians in Communist China or the persecuted church in Muslim countries and poverty-stricken believers in Africa haven't heard this message. I guess they missed out on this faith...
Of course he says some things that counterfeit truth and encourage his listeners. But he preaches that God wants everyone to be successful, prosperous, healthy, wealthy and happy. He is big on 'claiming' verses in order to twist God's arm with your magnificent faith in order to bring about what you want (written tongue in cheek).
There's more but there are plenty of articles out there that expose the dangerous message and gospel that Joel Osteen preaches. I think you should stay away from him in my opinion.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. (2 Timothy 4:3, NASB)
From what I read about Joel Osteen (and his very own words have confirmed it), he is just a motivational speaker profiting from the large group of marginal, professing Christians - because he preaches the gospel of success and prosperity and what's called the Word Faith movement. When you've got the largest mega-church in America - 30,000+ and counting - you've got to wonder what's wrong with the picture? I'm not saying that God cannot or does not give success to churches who preach and teach the truth - I'm saying that what Jesus has to say is not very POPULAR so if it's attracting people by the droves, you've got to wonder why.
So, I researched just a bit because I'm all for reading books by good authors and even listening to good speakers at times. My first exposure (and subsequent ) to him, my dh and I waited for more. He was all flashy and spoke quickly and motivationally, adding stuff that would appeal to those who liked upbeat, feel-good material. But there was NO meat. And although I didn't hear anything outright unBiblical during that show, I did read material that would definitely be so.
One thing that he is known for is the fact that he will not preach about sin, does not even like to USE the word sin, does not want to bring out ANYTHING negative like hell and eternal judgment because there are plenty of others who do. He wants to preach the 'good news' and only the good news. I have to say that the gospel is only good news because the bad news is so bad. He also shied away from saying that Jesus is the only way when interviewed by Larry King or whoever it was. I'm sure you can google all this and read article after article. Just try googling Joel Osteen sin and you get a bunch of articles. Anyway, when asked, "Well what about Muslims and Hindus etc etc. Is Jesus the only way?" He hemmed and hawed and said several times, "I don't know." I don't want to quote him out of context so I would say to read the entire interview. You will be surprised.
Quote
KING: But don’t you think if people don’t believe as you believe, they’re somehow condemned?
OSTEEN: You know, I think that happens in our society. But I try not to do that. I tell people all the time, preached a couple Sundays about it. I'm for everybody. You may not agree with me, but to me it's not my job to try to straighten everybody out. The Gospel called the good news. My message is a message of hope, that's God's for you. You can live a good life no matter what's happened to you. And so I don't know. I know there is condemnation but I don't feel that's my place.
KING: How about issues that the church has feelings about? Abortion? Same-sex marriages?
OSTEEN: Yeah. You know what, Larry? I don't go there. I just ...
KING: You have thoughts, though.
OSTEEN: I have thoughts. I just, you know, I don't think that a same-sex marriage is the way God intended it to be. I don't think abortion is the best. I think there are other, you know, a better way to live your life. But I'm not going to condemn those people. I tell them all the time our church is open for everybody.
Sounds pretty flaky to me - especially when he claims that the gospel of Jesus is what he lives for.
Quote
Osteen gives the new vision of his ministry: "We're all about building people up. We're all about helping people reach their full potential. We don't push some kind of religion.…all we push is joy and peace and victory through Jesus Christ. …Our message every single week - is through faith in God you can live an overcoming life of victory … I believe that's the message this generation needs to hear. We've heard a lot about the judgment of God and what we can't do and what's going to keep us out of heaven. But it's time people start hearing about the goodness of God, about a God that loves them. A God that believes in them. A God that wants to help them. That's our message here at Lakewood."
And just read how big this church is. It's just something to make you go hmmm~~~
Quote
Forty year old Joel Osteen now has one of the largest church congregations in America.
Lakewood Church has grown from 8,000 to a current attendance of over 30,000 since 1999 when Joel’s father passed away and he took over. “I don't want this to sound arrogant, but I believe one day we're going to have 100,000 a weekend,” he told “Charisma” magazine in June 2004. He certainly has this planned out with a new super facility being expanded in downtown Houston. The church paid the city nearly $11.9 million up front to lease the property for 30 years. It cost $95 million to renovate the Compaq Center in Houston (606,050 square feet) that seated 16,000 to now seat 30,000.
Osteen believes he is breaking a new frontier with the sheer size of his church facility, that Lakewood will one day offer Saturday and Sunday sanctuary to 100,000 worshipers from the Houston area and worldwide.”
The new Church facility has- eight giant video screens, 12 elevators, three escalators, two waterfalls, 241 toilets and 65 urinals and parking for more than 7,000 vehicles. The church also added a five-story wing, featuring Lakewood's television studio; classrooms for kindergarten through high school students; a chapel/auditorium for weddings, funerals and baptisms; and a cafe. Additional floors can be added as the church grows, Garrett said. (source- CHARISMA NOW - July 14, 2005 ed.)
http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac29.htm
Don't get me wrong - it's not necessary that a large church be a seeker-friendly, wishy-washy, unbiblical church. And maybe i'll get flamed for the "seeker-friendly" comment.
The message he preaches is all about 'claiming verses' and having faith enough to prosper or have victory or both. In my opinion, he presents God as the cosmic genie condescending to humans as One who makes all their wishes come true. Too bad the Chinese Christians in Communist China or the persecuted church in Muslim countries and poverty-stricken believers in Africa haven't heard this message. I guess they missed out on this faith...
Of course he says some things that counterfeit truth and encourage his listeners. But he preaches that God wants everyone to be successful, prosperous, healthy, wealthy and happy. He is big on 'claiming' verses in order to twist God's arm with your magnificent faith in order to bring about what you want (written tongue in cheek).
Quote
"You've got to speak it out. Your words have creative power. One of the primary ways we release our faith is through our words. There is a divine connection between you declaring God's favor and seeing God's favor manifested in your life. And some of you are doing your best to please the Lord. You are living a holy consecrated life, but you're not really experiencing God's supernatural favor. And it's simply because you're not declaring it. You've got to give life to your faith by speaking it out." (Audio clip from Bible Answer-Man Broadcast, April 26, 2004, ).
"Early in our marriage, Victoria and I were out walking through our neighborhood one day when we came upon a beautiful new home in the final stages of construction… Victoria was excited. She turned around, looked back at the home, and said, 'Joel, one day we're going to live in a beautiful home just like that!…' Over the next several months, she kept speaking words of faith and victory, and she finally talked me into it. She convinced me that we could live in an elegant home like the one we saw. I got rid of my limited thinking and I started agreeing with her. I started believing that somehow, some way, God could bring it to pass. We kept on believing it, seeing it, and speaking it (Osteen, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, Chapter One, ).
There's more but there are plenty of articles out there that expose the dangerous message and gospel that Joel Osteen preaches. I think you should stay away from him in my opinion.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. (2 Timothy 4:3, NASB)
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Worthwhile Books List
I'd like to compile a list of books that I've found valuable and that others have recommended. I haven't read all of them but I'm confident that these contain valuable wisdom and information. These books mostly address homeschooling and parenting.
* Successful Homeschool Family Handbook by Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore. (Recommended by Reda Redding)
* The Mother At Home by Jacob Abbott (Recommended by the Bluedorns)
* The Parenting of Champions by J. R. Lucas (Rec by Chautona Havig)
* Teaching the Trivium by Harvie and Laurie Bluedorn (Rec. by Susan Fry)
* Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs (marriage)
* Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul
* The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (excellent so far)
* Successful Homeschool Family Handbook by Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore. (Recommended by Reda Redding)
* The Mother At Home by Jacob Abbott (Recommended by the Bluedorns)
* The Parenting of Champions by J. R. Lucas (Rec by Chautona Havig)
* Teaching the Trivium by Harvie and Laurie Bluedorn (Rec. by Susan Fry)
* Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs (marriage)
* Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul
* The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (excellent so far)
Monday, May 28, 2007
Out of the Mouth of Babes
The boys pointed out that I had made a 'hole' in the back of Cayden's head while giving him a haircut. I said, "Well, I'm not perfect."
Ethan asked, "Why aren't you perfect mom?" "Because I'm a sinner." I responded.
Ethan then said, "That reminds me of the verse in Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
----------
Today, Cayden watched me swallow three large vitamins. I told him not to ever take this or else he might choke and die. He said, "Then I'll go up? To heaven?" I said, "Well, how do you go to heaven?" He responded, "By being really good?"
Ethan then said, "Oh, no, no. It doesn't matter if you're really good. You can't go to heaven that way. You have to believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Acts 16:31."
----------
Due to another altercation, the kids were reminded of Cain and Abel. Perplexed, Cayden asked, "Why didn't Abel have a shield so that he could block the blows and maybe if Cain threw a rock at him it would bounce off the shield and hit Cain back?"
Ethan rolled his eyes and told him, "Don't you know? There was no metal-working before Jubal and Tubal-Cain were born!"
----------
I called the kids to come and pray at night and Cayden jumped into his bed and under the covers. I said, "No, we need to get up." (We pray sitting or kneeling up, not lying down.) Ethan said, "Yes, that reminds me of a verse. Remember what it says in Leviticus 10:3: "I will be treated as holy" because God is holy.
Ethan asked, "Why aren't you perfect mom?" "Because I'm a sinner." I responded.
Ethan then said, "That reminds me of the verse in Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
----------
Today, Cayden watched me swallow three large vitamins. I told him not to ever take this or else he might choke and die. He said, "Then I'll go up? To heaven?" I said, "Well, how do you go to heaven?" He responded, "By being really good?"
Ethan then said, "Oh, no, no. It doesn't matter if you're really good. You can't go to heaven that way. You have to believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Acts 16:31."
----------
Due to another altercation, the kids were reminded of Cain and Abel. Perplexed, Cayden asked, "Why didn't Abel have a shield so that he could block the blows and maybe if Cain threw a rock at him it would bounce off the shield and hit Cain back?"
Ethan rolled his eyes and told him, "Don't you know? There was no metal-working before Jubal and Tubal-Cain were born!"
----------
I called the kids to come and pray at night and Cayden jumped into his bed and under the covers. I said, "No, we need to get up." (We pray sitting or kneeling up, not lying down.) Ethan said, "Yes, that reminds me of a verse. Remember what it says in Leviticus 10:3: "I will be treated as holy" because God is holy.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Morning Dedication
ALMIGHTY GOD,
As I cross the threshold of this day
I commit myself, soul, body,
affairs, friends, to thy care;
Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me.
Incline my heart to thy ways;
Mould me wholly into the image of Jesus,
as a potter forms clay;
May my lips be a well-tuned harp
to sound thy praise;
Let those around see me living by thy Spirit,
trampling the world underfoot,
unconformed to lying vanities,
transformed by a renewed mind,
clad in the entire armour of God,
shining as a never-dimmed light,
showing holiness in all my doings.
Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands.
May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain.
In needful transactions let my affection
be in heaven,
and my love soar upwards in flames of fire,
my gaze fixed on unseen things,
my eyes open to the emptiness, fragility,
mockery of earth and its vanities.
May I view all things in the mirror of eternity,
waiting for the coming of my Lord,
listening for the last trumpet call,
hastening unto the new heaven and earth.
Order this day all my communications
according to thy wisdom,
and to the gain of mutual good.
Forbid that I should not profited
or made profitable.
May I speak each word as if my last word,
and walk each step as my final one.
If my life should end today,
let this be my best day.
~ Valley of Vision
As I cross the threshold of this day
I commit myself, soul, body,
affairs, friends, to thy care;
Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me.
Incline my heart to thy ways;
Mould me wholly into the image of Jesus,
as a potter forms clay;
May my lips be a well-tuned harp
to sound thy praise;
Let those around see me living by thy Spirit,
trampling the world underfoot,
unconformed to lying vanities,
transformed by a renewed mind,
clad in the entire armour of God,
shining as a never-dimmed light,
showing holiness in all my doings.
Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands.
May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain.
In needful transactions let my affection
be in heaven,
and my love soar upwards in flames of fire,
my gaze fixed on unseen things,
my eyes open to the emptiness, fragility,
mockery of earth and its vanities.
May I view all things in the mirror of eternity,
waiting for the coming of my Lord,
listening for the last trumpet call,
hastening unto the new heaven and earth.
Order this day all my communications
according to thy wisdom,
and to the gain of mutual good.
Forbid that I should not profited
or made profitable.
May I speak each word as if my last word,
and walk each step as my final one.
If my life should end today,
let this be my best day.
~ Valley of Vision
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
One Nation Under God
PAUL HARVEY'S ON-AIR PRAYER
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. "We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good', but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and setus free. Amen!"
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "One Nation under God."
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. "We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good', but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and setus free. Amen!"
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "One Nation under God."
My Elijah Syndrome
I had posted this the other day due to overwhelming disappointment with participation in our Bible Study. I really wasn't sure if I was alone or not and I could no longer keep the tears back. So many posted after that, I feel embarrassed - but encouraged. "Lord, I and only I am left." And He said, "No... actually..." So, I've moved that post to here.
Hey guys,
I don't know who is actually still with me in this study. I know that some of you are keeping at your own pace and just not posting but it's hard to tell... Right now, I have to admit that I'm really disappointed. I was really looking forward to studying God's precious Word together once again, but you know the feeling when you're with a group of friends and you're talking and talking and then suddenly you look around and notice that you're all alone? Well, that's kind of how I feel! (Estera, I have to say, you have been such an encouragement to me - seeing how busy you are and how faithfully you've stuck through all these past studies). Anyway, I understand what a busy life is like - so that's definitely not the reason RIGHT? I just pray that even if you are not posting, the Lord is your first love. That He has preeminence over all your other activities. That He is at the top of your list. That catching up on friends, email, TV programs, books, mags, movies, dining out and music are NOT more important than keeping your heart for the Lord.
He is SO worthy of our attention. His Word is so WORTHY of filling our hearts and minds. He alone is WORTHY of all our affections and thoughts. I pray that you, my beloved family and friends, find Him to be so. I pray that even if this study is not for you, you are still spending time daily communicating with Him, intimately familiar with His character, His goodness, His grace, His guidance. I pray that you HUNGER for Him, for His Word, for Holy Spirit power. I pray that nothing stands in the way of pursuing Him: not pursuing pleasure, pursuing careers, pursuing praise of other men, pursuing worldly knowledge, pursuing a bigger income, better resume, a more luxurious lifestyle. Christ alone.
Yes, perhaps I sound fanatical. Because I am. I am fanatically in love with the Lord Jesus. I am fanatically in love with His Word. I cannot live without Him. I do not WANT to live without Him. I have been praying for each of you by name since the study started - and trust the Lord is working in your hearts and lives. I want to continue in this study but I'm not sure how many others are. Even if there's two of us, that's ok. I will continue. If you want to continue... PLEASE stick to your commitment. Pray before you say, Yes, I will do this. and then discipline yourselves to stick with it. And remember that the reason for posting is to encourage one another and to keep each other accountable. It was so wonderful in past studies knowing that we were all spread out over the states and Canada and we still were connected with the Word.
I might regret and erase this post. I don't know. But I'm not going to pretend that it doesn't hurt me. I will pray to see if the Lord wants to continue this study. Perhaps at a future time. I don't know. Regardless, press on. Life is brief and it will soon pass. The only thing that will withstand the fire are the gold, silver and precious stones. What will matter is what matters in eternity.
Love you all, Jules
Hey guys,
I don't know who is actually still with me in this study. I know that some of you are keeping at your own pace and just not posting but it's hard to tell... Right now, I have to admit that I'm really disappointed. I was really looking forward to studying God's precious Word together once again, but you know the feeling when you're with a group of friends and you're talking and talking and then suddenly you look around and notice that you're all alone? Well, that's kind of how I feel! (Estera, I have to say, you have been such an encouragement to me - seeing how busy you are and how faithfully you've stuck through all these past studies). Anyway, I understand what a busy life is like - so that's definitely not the reason RIGHT? I just pray that even if you are not posting, the Lord is your first love. That He has preeminence over all your other activities. That He is at the top of your list. That catching up on friends, email, TV programs, books, mags, movies, dining out and music are NOT more important than keeping your heart for the Lord.
He is SO worthy of our attention. His Word is so WORTHY of filling our hearts and minds. He alone is WORTHY of all our affections and thoughts. I pray that you, my beloved family and friends, find Him to be so. I pray that even if this study is not for you, you are still spending time daily communicating with Him, intimately familiar with His character, His goodness, His grace, His guidance. I pray that you HUNGER for Him, for His Word, for Holy Spirit power. I pray that nothing stands in the way of pursuing Him: not pursuing pleasure, pursuing careers, pursuing praise of other men, pursuing worldly knowledge, pursuing a bigger income, better resume, a more luxurious lifestyle. Christ alone.
Yes, perhaps I sound fanatical. Because I am. I am fanatically in love with the Lord Jesus. I am fanatically in love with His Word. I cannot live without Him. I do not WANT to live without Him. I have been praying for each of you by name since the study started - and trust the Lord is working in your hearts and lives. I want to continue in this study but I'm not sure how many others are. Even if there's two of us, that's ok. I will continue. If you want to continue... PLEASE stick to your commitment. Pray before you say, Yes, I will do this. and then discipline yourselves to stick with it. And remember that the reason for posting is to encourage one another and to keep each other accountable. It was so wonderful in past studies knowing that we were all spread out over the states and Canada and we still were connected with the Word.
I might regret and erase this post. I don't know. But I'm not going to pretend that it doesn't hurt me. I will pray to see if the Lord wants to continue this study. Perhaps at a future time. I don't know. Regardless, press on. Life is brief and it will soon pass. The only thing that will withstand the fire are the gold, silver and precious stones. What will matter is what matters in eternity.
Love you all, Jules
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Why another blog?
I'm not sure.... I feel compelled to get some thoughts out there... I'm tired of writing things out in my journal, especially when I can type far faster. The Lord has been really dealing with some issues in my life and He has proven Faithful and Above All. I am recording this in order to look back and praise Him for who He is and what He has done in my life. and perhaps some other blah blah.
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