Family Encouragement

*ring ring*

R: "Yep?"

Mom: "Did you have your interview, yet?"

R: "Nope, it's in the afternoon."

Mom: "Try to be good... Don't mess it up."

R: "Thanks, mom."

This was a lawl moment for me. :P nothing more.

Just a thought

You ever notice how our young men scream and holler over whatever sport? NHL Stanley Cup Finals, Tomas Kopecky for the game winner in the third period! ZOMG!!!!! 6-5 Chicago wins!!!

Or our young women fawn over weddings and babies and squeal at a pitch capable of shattering ear drums?

Where is that same enthusiasm when we read a great text in Scripture?

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him." Eph 1:3-4

We are blessed with every blessing!
We are CHOSEN by HIM!

AWESOME!

QOD

"He never wanted anyone to see him tired, burdened, distraught, or needy... because they might think his Master is cruel, uncaring, and unable to provide for him. You do not glorify God by how much you do for Him, rather you glorify Him by how much He does for you! Never forget who is saving who here!"

Paul Washer on George Müller.

Prayer

Really struggling with what I'm supposed to do in this life. I would covet your prayers.

Commentary

I'm going to experiment and try something on my blog. This is a post where you the reader are especially encouraged to engage with a text. I have selected the following quote from Voddie Baucham. At least in my circle of friends, he is best known for his series on marriage.

Anyways, he made the following quote on a sermon on 2 Peter 1:16-21. What do you think of it? Agree or disagree? And why?!

(I'll post up a response in a week or so......assuming that I generate enough traffic to have a couple people respond. :P)

"I choose to believe the Bible because it is a reliable collection of historical documents, written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They report supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies, and they claim to be divine rather than human in origin.” - Voddie Baucham

Edify the Time

My Greek prof has been very insightful about random things we do in our life. During his seminary days, he used to read when stopped at red lights. This netted him a total of 3 minutes of extra reading per day. However, this 3 minutes taken over the course of the year = 18.25 hours. That allowed him to read three more books throughout the course of the year.

So I gave it a shot this morning. I have a half an hour train ride (which I normally spend reading), and a half an hour walk to work (undiscovered reading territory).

The conclusion: I finished the chapter assignments for one of my books! I also nearly got hit by a car. Definitely, living life on the (bleeding) edge....

QOD

"The key to success is feigning ignorance." - Anonymous

The World Just Got Bigger

Warning: In one sense, it is good to realize that there are Christians that are stronger than you. In another, to covet another's gifts and abilities is wrong. That being said, here is Richard's view of himself in comparison to other Christians!!1111one!!!!!!11!!!

Pre-T4G:

Spiritual Maturity -->

|------- Richard ------|
|-- Avg Christian --|
|------------------------------- John Piper* -------------------------------|

*or any other big name

Post-T4G:

|- Richard -|
|-- Avg Christian --|
|------------------------------- John Piper* -------------------------------|

After First NT Greek Class:

|- R -|
|-- Avg Christian --|
|------------------------------- John Piper* -------------------------------|

Other thoughts:
- Not everyday, you get schooled by a 15-year old girl. Kidding, hasn't happened yet. Looks like she'll pick it up quick...granted, she is the daughter of the prof.
- The school is not what I thought it would be.
- I thought it would be harder than it actually is, but I'm excited about it.

The Life Lived

"Timmis said that while confessional evangelicals have done a good job of teaching sound theology, their work at seeing people live out such theology has been lacking."
Article found here.

If you know me in person and have heard me rant or rave on something, I have inevitably brought up Jas 1:22. We should not just be hearers of the Word, but doers. As I have matured in my Christian walk, I have noticed a lopsidedness in the practice of my faith. I have this thirst for knowledge of God. Sadly, I am sorely lacking in the practice of His Word and obedience to His commandments.

There is a difference between reading God loves you, and knowing God loves you. For I readily
accept my weakness, that my heart is wicked, that I am the worst sinner that I know. But, when it comes to faith in the words written that speak of the undeserved mercy and grace. I am stunned, I cannot believe! Especially when faced with the depth of my sin.... how can God love me so?

I think this is what James is highlighting when he speaks of a faith tempered with actions and deed. For the Christian faith can easily swing between harsh legalism and unfruitful spirituality. We do not serve God to earn our salvation. If you are Christian, you will bear fruit in righteousness.

So the fuel for our good deeds and holy living, is the cross of Christ. God's rich plan of salvation! Through Christ's blood we are healed. In Him, we have the righteous life we have never could live! We place our faith in Him. The grace that He shows to us, we show to others. The love he displays for wretched beggars as we are, we reciprocate. The good news of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ we proclaim from the rooftops!

But, I think we don't see how huge faith plays in our life. Yes, God is real. Yes, I am to be obedient to His commandments. Yes, Jesus died for sinners. But, what are the implications of what this means? We practice faith in everyday things, and we take them more seriously.

For instance, we have faith that we exist. We are real, even though we don't consciously think about it. We spend time: eating, drinking, maintaining ourselves....keeping ourselves alive! Some of us are even disciplined enough to make it to the gym everyday. We see that these things are "real" and place faith in our senses that this is real.... and live accordingly. (How do we know this is real....can you prove to me that we're not in some fantasy world a la the matrix?)

So it is really a testament to our stupidity as the human race to trust our own thoughts and emotions over the words of our almighty God. I had a bad day... my girlfriend/boyfriend dumped me, or I got fired from my job, or I've lost a loved one, or I've been diagnosed with cancer. Clearly, God doesn't love me. Does my experience invalidate God's Word as revealed through the Bible and the personhood of Jesus Christ? May it never be!

For when I read the words, God is love. This is TRUE! When I read of His protection and fierce and passionate love for His adopted children.... This is TRUE! When it says you, dear reader, can be reconciled to God if you repent from your sins and make Jesus Christ the lord and saviour of your life.... This is TRUE!

We should be giddy with joy when we read the words of Christ! How, oh how can we doubt any longer? Let us renew our commitment to faith in Christ Jesus! God who in His mighty providence and grace pours His love on us. I long to love God more and more, and respond in a manner pleasing to Him. When it says to delight in the Lord. I will! To cast our burdens on Him, yes sir! I want more then the praise of men... the praise of God is what I long for. Will you join me?

God, have mercy on me the sinner! Help me move on from the shame of my sin and let me look to the beauty of your face in Christ Jesus.

QOD

"The reason that many people I talk today are in bondage and in frustration and in defeat, because we don't know really know what God says and we don't want to live it God's way" - Random Televangelist in Flywheel

Downloading Music

Tim Conway sums it up pretty well.

Network Jack to My Brain!

I want a network jack to my brain! Like Johnny Mnemonic! It would make learning so much easier!

Grace

I think the most difficult thing about grace is that it does not hinge on our performance. So my crummy day yesterday does not influence my standing before God today. It might influence how I feel before a holy and righteous God. But, to say that God's grace changes based on my performance... it wouldn't really be grace now, would it?

I guess this is the importance of preaching the gospel to oneself everyday. We need to realize that we really can do absolutely nothing, apart from Jesus (Jn 15:5). We need to realize that our most righteous deeds are no good before God (Is 64:6). We must realize that to be saved is to desperately thrust ourselves on a Saviour who accomplishes what the Father wills.

God, enlarge my faith. For I am a weak pitiful excuse of a man who longs only to find praise from You and to love the things that are pleasing to You... even though I don't seem like it now.