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James 3:1-12- Taming the Tongue: Part 1

2011-04-26T07:34:00.007-06:00

Now that I have a computer again, I can continue to blog once more. I hope this is a blessing to you as I finish up what I originally started so long ago on the book of James. If you need to refresh your memory on what was said prior to this point, feel free to go here. The formatting on my blog has always been better than that of Facebook notes, so if it still looks junked up with code in the FB note, feel free to click on the link to go to my blog.

James 3:1-12

Taming the Tongue: Part 1- Illustrations of the Heart at Work

True Wisdom Taught (vv. 1-2)

Is James commanding us that there should be few teachers of God’s Word, or is he telling us to recognize the responsibility that comes with being a teacher?
James most likely here is referring back to what Jesus taught in Matthew 23 about hypocrisy in regards to them that were teaching.
In that passage, Jesus makes it plain and clear that those who teach, but do not teach the truth are in danger of sending themselves and those that they teach to hellfire and damnation (this is what James means when he says that we’ll receive the greater condemnation).
Also, what he is speaking of here is the idea, “To whom much has been given, much more shall be required.” If you’ve been given the responsibility of having an influence on others around you (and you always have that responsibility; it’s just a question of how much influence you have), then you need to make sure that you own up to that responsibility.

True Wisdom Communicated and Lived Out (vv. 3-12)

Communication is a show of what lies in the heart (though the heart may not always show itself in communication, eventually it will).
This section is not separate from the previous; rather it is a continuation (hence, why I include it here). If you cannot allow the Holy Spirit to control what you speak, then you have no business in teaching.
Allowing the Holy Spirit to control your tongue is a qualification for being a pastor (1 Tim3:2-3).
First Illustration: Bridle in a horse’s mouth (v. 3)

A picture of allowing God to lead in what we say.
When we allow God to direct our words, we won’t stumble (not in the sense of stuttering, but in the sense of sinning).

Second Illustration: Sailing ship (v. 4-5a)

Comparison of the tongue to a rudder- idea here is the proportions
“Inclination the pilot desires”- compares our hearts and God to a captain steering a boat with the rudder, which is what causes the boat to keep on course, even though the winds power it.

Third Illustration- Spark that sets the forest on fire (v. 5b); idea here is that such a little thing causes GREAT destruction
Fourth Illustration: Influence and stumbling block (v. 6)

Jesus taught that it was what comes out of the mouth that defiles a man, rather than what he puts in his mouth as the mouth speaks forth that which comes out of a person’s heart.
“Sets on fire the course of life”-

James is using another illustration of how the tongue can be used improperly in how speech sets on fire the lusts and temptations that a man will respond to when a woman talks sensually to him, and vice versa for a man talking sensually to a woman.
This expression can also refer to what happens when a person is goaded into losing their temper. Be careful to speak when all you’re looking for is a reaction to what you say. Such a one is guilty of this sin with their tongue.

This is referring back to Matthew 5:22 where Jesus teaches how what we say is just as condemning of eternity in Hell as what we do. We need to live remembering that Jesus paid the price for our verbal sins, too.

Fifth Illustration: Taming of the animals vs. taming of the tongue (v. 7)

The animals have been tamed by man as they were put under our dominion by God.
The tongue cannot be tamed by man as we do not belong to ourselves. The only way for the tongue to be tamed is for us to recognize that our tongue is under the ownership of God (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Sixth Illustration: Poison (v. 8)

It can poison the heart to bitterness depending on how we use it
It can poison the mind to evil thoughts and actions

Seventh Illustration: Blessing and Cursing (vv. 9-10)

John writes this in 1 John 4:20 “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.”
As James says, this ought not to be!!!!!! This is hypocrisy at its finest!

Eighth and Ninth Illustrations: Fountains and Fig Trees (vv. 11-12)

Fountains-

Roman aqueduct system was set up so that a person could get either fresh water over long distances, or salt water depending on which aqueduct line they wanted to tap into. One line was used for the healing hot spas, the other for regular plumbing and washing.
So, should our tongue be in hypocrisy by sending out both bitter words on one side and words of encouragement from the other?
This is a rhetorical question. The answer is obviously a resounding, “NO!”

Fig trees-

Just as fig trees only produce figs, olive trees olives, grape vines grapes, salt water line salt water, and fresh water line fresh water, so should God’s tongues only be producing words that God would want said (It is His tongue, not mine because I have been bought and am not my own; 1 Cor. 6:20).

Application-

As you influence and teach others around you, is your tongue a blessing to others or is it a stumbling block? Remember, you are not an island to yourself. Everything you do affects others around you.
Who controls your tongue? You or the Holy Spirit of God?
Is your tongue full of hypocrisy or does it demonstrate to all your love for God?
Are you producing only the fruit that God would want your tongue to be producing?

Free Soccer Camp in Minneapolis, MN

2009-07-17T23:05:00.009-06:00

Soccer Camp in Minneapolis

Exciting Drill Training!
Awesome Scrimmages!
Life-Changing Biblical Truth!

Boys and Girls Ages 5-12
August 10-14 (Monday-Friday)
6:30-8:30 PM

Location:
Jewell Park
1400 89th Ave
Brooklyn Park, MN 55444

Registration and Information:

high_power_soccer@yahoo.com

Map to Jewell Park here.

James 2:14-26- Actions Speak Louder Than Words

2009-02-16T21:39:00.003-06:00

Christmas break was very busy and there were some issues as to how go about this next post. I have been debating much over the last couple of months as I have not only done this next passage for my personal devotions, but also preached through it for church in a message titled, "Cruise Control Christianity." I've finally decided to post the devotions side of this as it flows better with the previous studies, and the sermon was originally published on Metamorpho 1.0 (you can still view it there) and will someday be republished on here with the rest of the old archives from Metamorpho 1.0.

I. Faith Without Works (14-17)

A. What’s the use of it (v. 14-16)?

B. Can faith be exercised without actually making a change in how I live my life?

1. According to the passage above (v. 8-13), no. Obedience is the demonstration of the exercising of our faith.

2. So, what do we do when we see others who aren’t living out their faith?

3. This passage isn’t for us to look at others around us and judge their spirituality, let alone try to determine if they are saved or not. This passage is for us to take a close look at our own lives and examine if we have a heart that is close to God and is living that out in the faith, or if we only have a heart of legalistic righteousness that needs to be made right with Him (either through salvation if that’s needed, or repentance so we can restore our walk with Him).

4. Now, this thought does not mean we are not still to confront brothers and sisters in Christ who are living in bondage to sin.

5. In summation, faith -when truly exercised- always results in making change.

II. The Works are the Exercise of our Faith (17-26).

A. Obedience to Christ means that we need to make some changes in how we live, speak, think, and act.

B. Some Illustrations of Faith in Action

1. Negative-demons-they believe, but they don’t have saving faith unto repentance.

2. Positive-

a. Abraham- he obeyed God because he believed that God would do as was promised. As Abraham exercised his faith, God counted it to him for righteousness.

b. Rahab- believed the spies report that if she let them go, she and her family would not be harmed. As she exercised that faith, coming to know Jehovah God as her God, it was counted to her as righteousness.

c. Body without a spirit = faith without works; you can’t have faith without the works, though you may sometimes have the works without the faith, so that brings us to another question….

d. What’s our motive for doing what we do? Is it to satisfy our own conscious, or is to live out the change that God has made in our lives?

Application-

1) Am I exercising my faith and making changes in my life as God shows me to do so?

2) Am I seeing myself as God sees me through the mirror of His Word and being honest with Him about it?

3) Am I obeying Christ by living out my faith in the actions of my life?

4) Do I judge myself before I judge others (pull the beam out of my own eye before I pull a speck of dust out of someone else’s)?

5) What’s my motive for doing what I do?

6) Do my actions speak the same as my words? Am I really as spiritual as I make others to believe that I am?

" Unless I obey God, I cannot say that I truly believe what He says is right."

James 2:8-13- The Sin of Partiality: Part 2

2008-12-01T11:11:00.003-06:00

James 2:8-13- The Sin of Partiality: Part 2- Loving God More Than Men Leads to True Fruit

I. True love does not show partiality (v. 8-9).

A. The royal law according to The Scripture: James is equating the commands of Christ as a command of authority or kingly law

1. Love = agape

2. Partiality = schism, division, favor

a. In the Jewish mind, the highest authority was the king: in this case the one who had the right to rule the Davidic throne.

b. James plays off of this and even though Jesus isn’t yet ruling on that throne (He is, however, seated at the right hand of God), he claims Jesus’ teachings are from the highest authority: The Holy Anointed One (Messiah) who has the right to rule on the Davidic throne.

B. The command itself does not show partiality.

1. If we love others AS ourselves, we do not show partiality even to ourselves, let alone to others around us.

2. It’s all about motivation. Why do we “love” those around us (speaking of love as an action, not a feeling)?

C. When we fail to follow this law (which is the second greatest commandment in all of Scripture), we are guilty of sin.

II. True love exalts and obeys Christ (v. 10-13).

A. Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point

1. This was to show them that though they weren’t stealing, lying, or perhaps even murdering, they were still in sin because they failed to keep the overlying principle that resulted in those parts of The Ten Commandments: Love one another as God loves you (v. 10-11).

2. The point here is this: if you can’t keep part of the second greatest commandment, then how is it that we can claim that we’re keeping the first: To love the Lord our God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds?

B. We are no longer judged by The Law of Sin, but by The Law of Liberty, or freedom (v. 12). Though we do have the liberty in Christ to sin, why would we want to sin against each other when we know:

1. The pain it caused Christ to suffer it for us?

2. That we are bringing ourselves back as a slave to The Law that Christ freed us from?

C. If we truly believe and love, then we will obey and do (v. 12-13)

D. Consider this thought: if it was truly best for us to judge one another based upon appearance, then why doesn’t Christ do the same to us based upon our spiritual appearance? Why is it that He shows mercy if condemnation is the best answer? That’s because in God’s Plan, though condemnation is the correct answer, mercy and grace are better answers. Like the verse says, “Mercy triumphs over (or boasts against) judgment.”

Application-

1) Are we loving each other as God would want us to?

2) Are we so caught in our own legalism that we’ve forgotten who we really are?

3) Does mercy triumph over judgment in our lives?

James 2:1-7-The Sin of Partiality: Part 1

2008-11-17T07:25:00.005-06:00

James 2:1-7-The Sin of Partiality: Part 1- Loving Men More Than God Leads to Disastrous Results

I. Partiality does not exist with God. (vv. 1-4)

A. God sees right to the heart of a person.

1. Fine clothes- Greek: “bright”- Idea here is that someone who had bright clothing was rich because they could afford to pay for the expensive dyes that were put into that clothing.

2. Gold ring- in almost any culture, including our current culture, jewelry of one sort or another is used as a status symbol. Now, instead of gold rings (anyone can get a 10k gold ring for a decent price) it’s a Rolex or a Mercedes, or some other possession that has a way of showing monetary status in this world. At our age, class rings, varsity jackets, medals, trophies, and even diplomas are often tokens of status for us.

3. Reality check: Though appearance can reflect some things about the heart, does appearance always accurately do so?

B. All man sees is the appearance

1. Notice the adjectives here used to describe the two different types of people:

a. gold rings, fine or bright clothes

b. poor, dirty clothes

2. Notice how each is treated, though each has the same sin nature and (hopefully) the same heart of repentance towards God that saves them through faith:

a. The rich man is told, “Sit here in a good place,” or, “Sit here by my side.”

1) If you were the host, you would be at the head of the table, and the honored place of the guest was at the side, “seated by his bosom” as the Jewish custom was called of giving the seat of honor to the guest (See Upper Room Discourse in John 12 for more details).

2) He is treated as if he has somehow earned the right to sit here because of his appearance or social status. The question that must be asked is would he be treated the same way if he were the same person but with different clothing and such?

b. The poor man is told, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool.”

1) If you were the host, often your slaves would be seated at the foot of the table (Hence, the argument amongst the disciples of who would be the greatest and least in Jesus’ kingdom, and his great analogy of the servant being made greatest as He washes their feet, as ONLY a servant would be required to do).

2) In other words, you’re treating the poor person as if he was your slave or hired servant.

C. The desire to be a man pleaser based upon someone’s status or appearance is a grievous sin that can often become a stumbling block between the people that you are treating differently, as you have just created a division between them based upon on their status or materialistic wealth.

II. God wants us to be rich in faith, not rich in materials. (vv. 5-7)

A. “...the poor of this world...” = not our material possessions, but our spiritual possessions. We were incredibly poor before we had Christ because of our sin debt, but now we are rich in Christ because of our faith.

B. In treating people based upon appearance and status, we blaspheme God who “...commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).” So, is our motive to get respect, or to show the love of God?

C. Often times, the people we respect based upon appearances, we do because we’re afraid. James points out in verses 6 and 7 that often times, those we are trying to please could care less about what we’re doing to please them as long as it benefits them. In other words, to please them, we will often have to compromise.

D. The ultimate result, as is seen fully in verse 8, is that we fail to please God because we are not doing what God has commanded of us.

Application-

1) Are you judging people based on appearance, or based on their attitudes/actions?

2) Have you given in to the Fear of Man by allowing your desire to please people around you to cause you to compromise on your faith in Jesus Christ and His Word?

3) What is your motive when you show respect to people around you? Is it to bring glory to God or glory to yourself?

4) Do you trust God or riches? What will satisfy you?

Psalm 42- Trusting God

2008-11-12T08:25:00.006-06:00

At about this point in the semester, just before Thanksgiving, many students are in a serious trial of their faith. For some, it's as simple as finding the time to get that homework done a little earlier so they can get a little extra of much needed rest. For others, they are seriously questioning right now whether or not they should be changing their major. Students are wondering, "Lord, why am I doing this?" "What's the point?" "This is too hard, Lord. I can't do everything that I need to do to pass, let alone get a halfway decent grade." It used to be that this was the point in the semester where I would be crying- literally- my heart out to God in one of the practice rooms behind Burkart Hall, asking God, "Why am I doing this, Lord? Why do You want me to be Music Ed? This major is so much harder and longer than any other major; I'm expected to not have a social life of any sort outside of band and orchestra, and I just can't grow the way I need to in You without that!" That may not have been my exact prayer every time mid-way through the semester, but you get the point. Courtesy of Pastor Kurtz (my Sunday School teacher), we were discussing somewhat on this point of our neediness and how we need to be open and honest with one another as Christians, the way that David is open and honest in the Psalms. That got me thinking about a message I preached earlier this summer on this very same topic about Trusting God. Something that taught me how I need to be brutally honest with God about the way I feel so that, as I acknowledge my condition before God, I can put my trust in Him to do a work that cannot be done apart from Him in my life. I'll just let the rest of the sermon speak for itself.

Psalm 42

Trusting God

Today, I’d like to examine Psalm 42. As we come to this Psalm, I hope that we will walk away having seen God and His glory a little better. But, before we begin, let us start- by way of question- examining what key components make up true worship. This will help us to understand David’s point for this Psalm. So, what is a key part of worship? In other words, what attitudes and aspects of our lives make up worship? What is that, if you don’t have this, you cannot have worship?

A right heart and a right life are both required for worship. But, even for prayer and repentance to take place, whether it’s an unbeliever getting saved or a believer taking a step of faith, there is this one key component that is needed for worship: trust. Trust, also known as faith, is the aspect of worship that we’re going to study tonight. You see, prayer- which shows dependence on God- cannot truly take place if you don’t trust The One to whom you’re praying. Sure, you can go through the motions of pretending to pray outwardly. God is not fooled by this, though. Trusting God is not always easy. It requires that we break our normal sinful habits of trusting ourselves, or in trusting the things that we have grown accustomed to trusting- which aren’t God. However, if we are- as Christians- going to be truly worshipful, we must trust God.

Sidenote: If you want to, I have been doing this for my personal devotions for a while and I’ll pass this blessing on to you, take the time, next time you read through the Psalms, to look for themes and promises relating to trust. I know that I was greatly surprised to study this book of songs and find how much encouragement David and the other authors give to trust in and believe God’s promises. Not only that, but they also show why we can trust God. He is a great God who is so good to us, and the Psalms will help you in seeing that better.

So, let’s go through the Psalm and see how David is going to encourage us to trust God.

I. David expresses his need for God. (v. 1-4)

A. Until I started studying this Psalm for this lesson, I had failed to put the first verse within its context. When you isolate the first verse from the rest of the Psalm, there is a tendency to think of this verse as a verse that speaks to how we should desire for God and want to worship Him. Now, don’t get me wrong, we should have that kind of desire for God. However, this verse, within the context, helps us to understand the depth of David’s depression. The next two verses go on to further elaborate on the state of David’s mind and emotions.

B. We see that- for whatever reason- David feels like God’s presence is very, very far away. All three verses here illustrate for us his desire to be close to God. Obviously, David was going through some trial in his life that caused David to recognize his utter need for and dependence on God. However, and we’ve all experienced this at times, David felt that God was not near during this trial.

C. His depression was so great that it affected his ability to worship, not just personally, but publicly.

1. David shows a discrepancy between the way he used to feel and act while in worship at the temple, versus how he felt and acted now.

2. Are we no different than David? We have a balance that must be upheld. We should not wear our feelings on our shirt sleeves, but we do the body of Christ a great disservice when we try to hide our problems and feelings from everyone. Let us not forget, that just as some have the gift of teaching and preaching, there are those within the body who have the gifts of helps, service, encouragement, and hospitality (1 Cor. 12, Romans 12). Don’t be so proud that you rob others within the body of the opportunity to be a blessing and encouragement to you. When others ask you, “How are you doing,” I understand the feeling that if you tell them you’re not doing well or fine that they will ask why and you’ll feel obligated to tell them. However, God’s Word never tells us that we must explain ourselves to everyone who asks. It does tell us, however, that we should ask the body for prayer. Perhaps you can’t or don’t want to give details, but you can request the prayer of the saints. So often, our greatest weapon- prayer- is the least used weapon. We are liars if we tell people that we are doing well spiritually when we’re not. I’m so thankful that David is honest with us in publicly sharing his feelings.

II. David expresses the greatness of God. (v. 5-11)

A. In verse 5, we begin to see why David continues to trust God, despite His feelings.

B. David tells us that God is to be the central focus of his hope, not his circumstances. David knows that there will be brighter, happier days. He knows that- even should these days of sadness and trial last him the rest of his life- there will be a day when all will be well and God will never feel far away ever again. The trials of this life are temporary compared to the blessings of heaven. David states that he will continue to walk with God no matter how much it costs him.

C. Matthew Henry puts it this way: “The best way to forget our miseries is to remember the God of our mercies.”

D. How does verse 9 factor into this remembrance of the greatness of God? David here shows us the duplicity of trust. Though our feelings may tell us that God is not near, does not hear, and cannot work, we must always trust in fact over feeling, faith over sight, and God’s wisdom over our might. No matter how strong our feelings may be, we must always trust in God’s Truth over our strongest feelings of experience.

Application- When your soul is cast down and God feels far away, remember that the God you need is the God who promised, regardless of your feelings, He will never leave you nor take his eyes off of you. Trust Him. Only trust Him.

James 1:26-27 A Pure and Undefiled Heart of Fruit

2008-11-05T08:23:00.006-06:00

I. Appearance of Worthless Fruit (v. 26)

A. Looks good on the oustide, but bad on the inside.

1. Religion/ religious = heart, lifestyle, relationship with God

2. Christ told us that out of the abundance of our heart, we speak (Matt 12:11, 17-20). Bridle = control

3. We have deceived ourselves, because we have not applied God’s Word in regards to humility if we think we are great, when our mouth shows just how filthy we really are on the inside.

B. Though men may see the facades that we put up, God always knows our hearts.

C. Men will, however, notice our inconsistencies because we cannot keep up a perfect lie over a lengthy period of time with everyone, especially those who are close and personal to us. As Jesus said, eventually, our heart will show itself through our speech in one way or another.

II. Appearance of True Fruit (v. 27)

A. Sometimes, our mindset becomes, “Well, if I can make everyone think I have good fruit, then I’m okay.” What we forget is that the fruit is supposed to be a result of our love for God, not the fruit resulting in us loving God.

B. James uses the phrase, “In the sight of God”- yet another way of saying God’s standard of holiness, or according to God.

C. If we go back to Zechariah 7:8-14, we see a passage where the people of Israel were told what would happen if they stopped loving God, how they would oppress the poor and orphaned, they would not dispense true justice, peace, loving kindness and compassion, and go the way of the world around them. Here James, tells us in a slightly different way the same warning that God gave to the Israelites:

1. If we truly love God, we will show it in our service towards one another

2. If we truly love God, we will do all that we can to stand up for what is right, and to make a difference in the world around us.

D. “Unstained” = set apart, made holy, sanctified; (present active tense) This has the idea that the object which has been sanctified for God will continue to be sanctified for Him. It’s the idea that this sanctification is a continuing action (until glory, that is, when we shall receive our perfect sanctification by being made into the very likeness of Christ’s holiness)

E. Though we have been sanctified and made holy positionally, we have not been made holy practically. Though all of our sins have been washed by The Blood of Christ, we will spend the rest of our lives fighting against our old sin nature even though we now have the new nature of The Holy Spirit indwelling within us.

Application-

1) Are you focused on self or God? Do people just see a façade with inconsistencies, or do they see that you are who you claim to be spiritually?

2) Are you doing things because you have a heart for God, or because you’re trying to make people think that you do?

3) Are you living as if you’ve been set apart for God?

4) Where’s the fight? Are you even struggling against sin and trying to bear fruit for Him?

James 1:19-25 Comparing Your Fruit to God's Mirror

2008-11-01T21:44:00.006-06:00

I. Setting Ourselves Apart for God (vv. 19-21)
A. If we are God’s Unique, Sanctified Fruit, then we must respond rather than react. (vv. 19-20)

Verse 19- James states the obvious here, and I don’t think I can really expound on it anymore than he already has other than to say:

We all know how a soft answer turns away wrath, but the question is do we really practice that soft answer not only in what we say, but in what we do when we get into a situation that irritates or frustrates us?
Sin nature does the exact opposite of this.

Verse 20- James’ reasoning behind this: Our sin of anger and not showing love (I’m not talking about righteous wrath where we get angry because of sin, but where we get angry because of how that sin hurts us and we react rather out of our flesh, say by losing our temper or getting impatient, rather than responding). Speaking the truth IN LOVE.
Notice, in my example, in both instances, one can confront that individual with the truth, but as the verse says, the first will not accomplish what God intended to be accomplished with that truth because the motive was wrong (lose your temper, motive = strike back; speak truth in love, motive = addressing the situation of that person’s relationship with Christ).

B. Putting aside our sin and taking in God’s Holiness (Verse 21)

He says to put aside all filthiness (literally-all the dirt of our sin nature, the guilt and shame of following down the path of sin laid out in verses 14-15) and all that remains of wickedness (literally-all that is contrary to God’s nature to do).
As we put off, we must put on. James tells us to lay aside, and so we must also take up. But, the key here is that we do not put aside so that we can take it up. We take it up so that we will put it aside (2 Timothy 2:22 and Luke 9:23, follow- Greek: to intensely pursue or hunger after).
Put on what, take up what? The Word of God. Ephesians 6 tells us to, “Put on the whole armor of God” and every “piece of armor” given in that passage is a specific part of God’s Revelation to us through His Word. So, as James tells us to receive the ingrafted Word of God, he is telling us in a different way to put on the Armor of God.
However, the process of grafting is about more than just “putting on armor.” It’s about making the Word of God a part of every fiber of our being. The grafting process takes something outside of the object (like say a skin graft, or tree grafting) and makes it a part of the object. The grafting actually changes the object (skin grafts for example change surrounding tissue so they look more presentable; tree grafts can actually affect the fruit that is produced). The Word of God is supposed to be changing us as we “graft” it into our lives.
Notice, he says that we are to do this in humility, recognizing that we are weak and solely dependant upon God and His Word to help us as we face sin day in and day out.
“...which is able to save your souls.” This has the idea of deliverance, but not quite the same deliverance as salvation, though it would appear at first glance that that’s what is being referred to here. The word translated salvation can also be translated, “sanctification.” When we put this in context, we notice that he’s talking about trials and temptations, and that the deliverance he must be referring to, based on context, is the deliverance from that temptation or trial. He is telling us in other words to depend on God’s Word because it has God’s Power to help us in our time of need so that we will be more like Christ.

II. God is our Standard of Holiness (vv. 22-25)

A. True Faith = Obedience

If all we do is hear/read God’s Word and we don’t put it into practice, we aren’t truly grafting God’s Word into our lives, because it DEMANDS application and obedience.
The Illustration: James compares the hearing/reading of God’s Word to a man looking in a mirror and seeing what he truly looks like

The mirror reveals to us our true appearance, not just our self-concept of what we think we look like.
The person who does not apply God’s Word, has totally forgotten what his appearance in God’s Mirror really was. He has deceived himself into thinking everything is okay and he doesn’t need to change anything.
The mirror of God’s Word is an even sharper image than a real life mirror, because this mirror doesn’t just tell us what’s wrong with the outside (consequences of sin problems) but what’s wrong on the inside, too (the root of our sin problems).

B. God blesses those who obey

When we obey God’s Word and we continue in that obedience, we can be used by Him. As Jerry Sivntsky says, “Obedience + Faithfulness = Usefulness.”
Intently = seriously and deeply
He blesses in several ways:

We have the blessing of seeing Him work in us and through us as we obey.
We have the blessing of being free from our sin as a result of our continued obedience to God’s Grace (“...The law of liberty, and ABIDES by it....”).
We have the greatest blessing of having a close, personal, intimate relationship with Him and becoming more like Jesus as a result of our continued obedience.

Application-

1) Have you set yourself apart from sin and set yourself apart for God?
2) What kind of fruit are you bearing before God’s Mirror? Do you just hear God’s Word, or do you obey?
3) Do you have the joy of walking with Christ in obedience, and seeing Him allow more God-like fruit to be a part of your life each and every day?

The Unofficial Review of Fireproof

2008-10-27T07:05:00.003-06:00

If you'd like to see a review of Fireproof from a Christian who watched it (especially MBBC students, as you decide whether or not it should be purchased on DVD since you weren't able to go to the theaters to see it), check out this link.

James 1:12-18- Striving for Fruit

2008-10-27T06:42:00.005-06:00

James 1:12-18- Striving for Fruit

I. A restatement of the Blessings in the Thorns (v. 12)
A. One of the reasons for being able to have joy in the midst of trials is that we know God will work it out to His glory. (Romans 8:28)
B. Another reason for being able to have joy is that the ultimate end result will be us being made more like Christ, until that day when we get to heaven, and we are just like Him. (“...And when you have been approved, you shall receive the crown of life.”)

“...been approved...” – the idea: Passed the test- when we have endured all that God has asked of us to endure for this life
The crown of life: when we shall see Christ with our own eyes and shall see the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life and fellowship with Him.

II. Where do the trials and temptations come from? (v.13-15)
A. In this context, James is not talking about chastisement from God because of sin. God has specifically said that in those moments, He will try us and that we will know it is of Him, so if, as James tells us, God will not send temptation and trials, he must be using the words to mean something different. Consider the holiness of God and whether or not this would go against His nature to actually put that trial or temptation there Himself (vs. allowing it to happen).
B. These trials and temptations come from either within us (lust of the flesh) or from the world (the lust of the eyes and the pride of life).
C. It is not the temptation that is wrong, but what we choose to do when the temptation is before us.

“...When he is carried away of his own lusts....” This is the part where we allow temptation to gain a ground hold and a solid foundation within our hearts, allowing for the beginning of going down that path towards sin. This is the part where we generally think to ourselves, “A little bit can’t hurt” or “I can control this” or “This shouldn’t be a problem since I know I can walk away whenever I want.” These are lies of our own hearts and the devil to ensnare us.
“When lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin”-this is where we actually begin to act out those thoughts of, “A little bit can’t hurt” and we find ourselves doing the things that we promised to God we would never do.
The result of that choice of sin: “...and when sin is finished, sin brings forth death.” Whether it is our relationship with God, or our relationships with others (which is effected by our relationship with God), when we sin, we kill those relationships. Often times, those sins will in a small way physically kill us over time (smoking, drinking, drugs, stress from the guilt of what we’ve done or the stress from the bitterness, anger, hate, depression, etc.). According to God, if man had not sinned in the garden, he would not have to physically die. It is because of sin that we age and die. Some sins speed up the process faster than others do.

III. Transition (v. 16)
A. James uses this verse as a transition into his next thought.
B. First, he says, “Do not be deceived” in that we should not be deceived by sin.
C. “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”-James is pleading that we would not fall back into the deception that sin once had over us before we were Christians; He is pleading that we not fall back into the snare of the devil.
D. He also uses deceive to tell us how we can know what truth really is as he goes into verse 17. (hence the phrase, “My beloved brethren”- agape)

IV. What is truth then and how will it help us to see the blessings in the midst of the trials of our faith? (v. 17-18)
A. First, variation or shifting of shadow = God’s Immutability-He cannot change his nature, which plays into the context of this along with God’s Holiness from v. 13
B. This verse is the “Why?” to what James says in v. 16.
C. “Every good gift is from above....” We can know what is truth and what is not based upon its comparison to Scripture. We have to take each moment of our lives as we are living it and filter it through the Biblical Grid.

V. The Gift of God (v. 18)
A. The exercise of His Will

“He brought us forth....”- We are only who we are because of Christ. “But for the grace of God, go I....”
“...By the Word of Truth....”-It is God’s Word that is this gift to us, for without His Word, we could not have salvation (John 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:16).

B. The result of His Will being exercised in our lives (“...so that we might be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”)

First fruits = unique, set apart, sanctified, made holy and pure
God gave us the gift of His truth so that we would be unique in that as we have fellowship with Him we can withstand the trials of life as they come. We can, through that gift of His truth, trust and depend on Him for strength and have something to stand on when those trials and temptations come.

Application
1) Do you see the blessings in the thorns? Are you allowing the temptations and trials of this life to help you become more like Christ?
2) When the temptations come, are you fighting against sin, or are you simply giving place to it? Are you deceiving yourself or are you trusting in God’s Immutable Truth to help you in times of struggle?
3) Are you living the separated life from sin and allowing yourself to be set apart for God? Are you that unique fruit that He wants you to be?

James 1:9-11 Keeping Your Focus

2008-10-24T16:06:00.004-06:00

James 1:9-11 Keeping Your Focus

I. Our High Calling
A. Sometimes, as Christians, we get so focused on our circumstances, that we forget what God has called us to do; to ultimately bring Glory to Him.
B. He says, “To glory in your high position….” James is telling us based on the teaching of Christ, how we are not to have pride in ourselves, but to remember that without Christ, we are nothing (John 15:5).
C. If we are nothing without Christ, than we are everything when we are with Him (“lacking in nothing” v. 4; “God, who gives generously and without reproach” v. 5).
D. This isn’t talking about glorying in ourselves and saying how much of a Super-Christian we are, but rather to “count it all joy when ye suffer divers temptations;” to count it worthy that God has called you to suffer and to be comforted through that suffering, for His name’s sake, that He will get the glory.

II. The Fall of the Temporal
A. The rich man is not to be boastful and prideful in his own riches (I believe this is speaking both of physical and spiritual riches), for eventually, those riches will pass away, including some of the spiritual ones.
B. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that of faith, hope, and love, all that will remain in the Day of the Lord, that final day of judgment, after God creates a new heaven and new earth, will be His Love.

We won’t need faith anymore; since faith is the substance of things hoped for and not seen, when we see Christ with our own eyes, we won’t need faith.
We won’t need hope because our hope will have been given to us: the eternal, perfect relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. So, the spiritual riches of hope and faith will both be gone, just like this heaven and earth will one day be gone.
If we boast in these spiritual riches as if they were somehow our own or of our own doing, then we have in effect said that we have made ourselves who we are without acknowledging the work that God has done in our lives.

C. Physical riches are completely temporal. Not a shred of them will outlast this physical life.
D. Even circumstances are temporal.

He compares the circumstances of life to the rising and falling of the sun and the changing of seasons.
He likens how if the rich man pursues after the riches rather than the glory of rejoicing in the great things that God is doing and has done, then he will fall into ruin just like the flower in Fall.

Application-
1) Is your focus on the pursuit of either physical or spiritual riches that a relationship with God can offer, or is it on the relationship itself?
2) Is your focus on the circumstances, or what God will bring out of them?

James 1:5-8- Trust and Obey

2008-10-13T07:16:00.006-06:00

We must trust God during the trials of life.
A. Often times, it is the trials that help us to remember just how dependent we are upon God for strength and wisdom.

God gives liberally (Greek- generously)
God gives without reproach; in other words, he gives freely based on the grace that He has shown to us, not on favoritism.
James tells us that if we will seek after God and His wisdom, we are promised to receive that wisdom.

B. Not doubting God

Two kinds of doubt:

Doubting that the wisdom God gives us is correct

In other words, we believe that we know what God should really be doing, not what He is doing.
Illustration of this: God is making it perfectly clear to you that you ought to be in preaching, and so you ask for God to give you wisdom in making this decision because you are afraid and do not want to become a preacher. What you might ask is, “Lord, please give me wisdom in finding something other than being a preacher that You would want me to do.” Pathetic illustration? Probably, but I think that example helps us to realize that this is often how we behave in many areas of life.

Doubting that God will even give you the wisdom to make the right choice.

If God has promised it, how then can we doubt that He will not give it?
Sometimes, the hardest thing for us to do is to wait upon the Lord. But, God has promised us that if we wait upon Him, “We shall walk and not faint, we shall run and not grow weary (Isaiah 40:31).”

The consequences of doubt:

If you can’t trust God, what or who can you trust?
How can you pray to God, when prayer is all about recognizing your dependence (or trust) in Him?
It is the waiting for the answer that makes it so we must ask in faith, knowing that God has fulfilled His promises before, and He will always continue to do so.
Often when we doubt, even though we do get the wisdom that we asked for, because we have doubted on God giving us the answer, we either have given up and miss knowing the answer to our prayer, or we decide that we don’t care about what God has to say. That is what is meant here when it says, “the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea (NASB)....” Without God as our Solid Rock upon which we can trust, we have nothing to stand on if we doubt Him and don’t listen to what He wants us to do.
In verse 8, James flat out says that it is because of that doubt (double-minded man) that we have become unstable if we ask of God without faith in His providing the right answer, in the right time.

II.Application-

1) Do you trust God to answer your prayers and to give you the wisdom that you need from His Word? Do you truly trust Him to lead you each and every day?
2) How stable is your walk?

James 1:1-4- A Foundation of Trust

2008-10-08T06:24:00.006-06:00

You'll have noticed that the most recent posts have been sporadic and the material more just personal in nature (though the last post was more just a relating of things heard by other students in an attempt to get some dialogue going), rather than biblical. However, part of the reason for the sporadicness of posting is that I've been preparing for a barrage of posts. I've been working on a series of posts that I hope will truly be a spiritual blessing to all who read, that will encourage and strengthen your faith.

James 1:1-4-Fully Prepared

I. Who wrote this and who it’s written to (v. 1):
A. James, the half-brother of Jesus

He calls himself a bond-servant, even though he is Jesus’ brother.
We see already that James is an incredibly humble servant of God, as he would rather call himself a slave of Christ, then to claim the title of being Christ’s half brother.

B. Written to the 12 tribes of the Jews, who had been scattered abroad, who are Christians.

II. Blessings in the Thorns (vv. 2-4)
A. Some Observations:

Divers-“diverse” or “various”; has the idea of something that can bring you down
Temptations- also can mean “trials,” (and does) so this has applications in other areas besides those temptations that cause us to fall into sin (which is normally what we think of when we see this word in the KJV), including the trials of our faith.
Patience-“endurance” or “steadfastness.” Similar to the idea of a rock, something that can be depended on; Consider the tree with deep roots in Psalm 1 how the wind can blow and buffet it, and yet it still stays strong because it is planted in the streams of living water.
Testing-the verb form of the Greek word where we get the words “trials” and “temptations”.
Perfect work-the idea of a result or completed task; sanctification is the idea here, which means to be set apart from sin AND set apart for God.
“...That you may be made perfect and complete....”-the Greek word for perfect here has the idea of being spiritually mature, complete here means “to be made whole”; there are some verses where it means “finished.”

B. Purpose of the Thorn is to give us a Blessing.

We can have joy because of the patience, endurance, or steadfastness we will have as a result of that trial. To use a modern day cliche, what James is saying is, “That which does not kill us, only makes us stronger.”
We can have joy because the patience that we will gain will help us to be sanctified, set apart from sin and set apart for God, or made holy, in Christ. It will help us to be more like Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
As the perfect result of God is made in our lives through these trials, temptations, and testings of our faith, we are able to love and serve God more.
We can have joy because as we are made perfect in Christ, or grow, or mature in our walk with Him, we will have everything that Christ wants us to have each and every moment of each and every day (“...lacking in nothing.”).
We can trust God because He is faithful and knows what’s best for us (He desires that all trials in life be used for His glory, as well as our growth).

Applications-
1) Do you trust God?
2) Are you allowing the trials, temptations, and testings of your faith to work patience or endurance in you as you trust in God?
3) Are you being more and more sanctified, or set apart, or made holy, like Christ each and every day as a result of the trials, temptations, and testings of your faith?
4) Are you trusting God to give you what you need each and every moment of each and every day?

Dorm Societies- Pros and Cons

2008-09-24T09:10:00.006-06:00

As I've come back to MBBC, a lot of things have changed. Not going to lie- a lot of it has been good. I think that the new MBBC dorm societies is part of that good change taking place. However, I thought that, given a lot of the talk around campus ranges in everything from "I think a dorm society is the best idea, ever!" to "This is just the dumbest thing I've seen done at MBBC, yet", it would be fair to show both sides of the equation in my evaluation of it. So, consider this your non-Fox news "Fair and Balanced" approach to Dorm Societies. :-) I will start with the negatives, so as not to end this on a negative note.

Cons of Dorm Societies-
1)Limited number of societies- Since the ministries are related to each of the dorms, this therefore essentially only allows for the number of ministries that MBBC is involved in to be limited to the number of dorms (currently that makes for 10 ministries if each dorm gets its own ministry). Under the old system, we could essentially have an infinite number of societies. I understand that for some, this meant that few were doing much of the work, as all students were required to be a member of a society, but not all were required to join. Admittedly, under the new system, some of this should be dispelled as the dorm atmosphere will create a positive peer pressure to get involved (I will deal with that later under the pros). However, in the meantime, societies like KIKS, Bible Printing, Sports Ministry, Hospitality Society, and many other societies have suddenly been lost.

2)Society leadership- Under the old system, the Office of Student Ministries (OSM) would talk with current society officers and- via a system of checks with the Deans and Academic Advisors- hand pick society officers who- if willing- would serve for a full year. Under the new system, leadership is chosen every semester. This could result in "helter skelter" organization, if not careful. Also, now the leadership has a much greater possibility of being based on popularity, rather than on actual leadership qualities. This could potentially cause our dorm society ministries to be a bad testimony, if we as students are not careful in who we vote to lead our dorm societies.

3)Organization- Depending on how things work out (as seen in my pros section under organziation), this could potentially be disastrous. For example, this Friday the students are being asked to participate in Dorm Soccer, Dorm Golf, and Capture the Flag. The golf and soccer outings are actually scheduled on top of each other. The dorm outings were organized by the dorm societies, while the Capture the Flag was planned by the Student Body Cabinet. Hence, the lack of communication which resulted in the double stacking of events on the same night. Understandably, this is the first year, so hopefully as communication lines and organizational methods are established, these kinds of things won't happen in the future. However, with societal leadership possibly changing every semester (the guys can vote for the same people if they want, but they don't have to), communication lines may not ever be able to be firmly established in order to curb such happenings.

Pros of Dorm Societies-
1) Ministry involvement- since each ministry belongs to a particular dorm, there is a lot more positive pressure to be involved in the societal ministry. Also, where before the money for societies came from Casual Days (which, I do miss) along with some budgeting within the school budget, now the money for the societies comes from money given by the students. This means that if your dorm has a ministry society that you can't be involved in the ministry due to work conflicts, you can still participate in that ministry by giving towards it. Which leads me to my next point.

2) Funding- The money given by each of the dorms stays within the dorm society fund and goes directly towards each minstry. The old system had it set up this way: As mentioned above, the funding came from Casual Days. This meant that, approximately $400 was raised each time a Casual Day was offered (which was typically about every other week). However, not all the Casual Days counted towards the OSM. Some of these helped fund Softball and Baseball, as well as other groups. The money being earned was pooled into all of the societies. Some of the societies (like State Street, in Madison for example) use a lot more money than other societies (like Golden Living Center Nursing Home in Watertown). So, the money wasn't necessarily evenly distributed. However, with the new system, the students are in control of how much money their ministry has to use. This is an excellent opportunity for students to not only participate in the ministry via their giving, but to see in a real world setting how most church ministries financially operate (though this isn't done through the local church, it gives the experience that can easily transfer over to other future ministry experiences). It will also force us students to take some steps of faith as we will need to give money that- for all intents and purposes- we don't have in order for our societies to actually function.

3)Organization- This first year is going to be a stretch in that area, in the way that any ministry often is somewhat disorganized when first begun. Once the tweaking begins, I hope we will see a much more organized fashion of things taking place. Communication will be the key to this. As those in charge communicate with the elected dorm society officers, things should shape into place.

4)Communication/Meetings- Under the old system, a Society Chapel was held once a month for us to plan and talk about what the Lord was doing through our society. Unfortunately, since all students were required to join a society, but weren't required to go to a society function, this meant that many societies had people who would sit in on these society chapels who were never actually involved in the society ministry. However, as stated in the involvement section, the dorm aspect creates a more positive pressure (rather than a guilt trip) to be involved. Also, under the new system, dorm societies meet almost every Wednesday during the chapel time. This allows us to get together as a dorm to talk ministry, be preached to by our peers, and to talk about how we can be a better spiritual impact on one another.

5)Student body unity- once the organization and communication are in place, this new system will allow for a much more unified student body that is involved in each of their dorm society ministries for the purpose of glorifying God. As each student gets involved, as each student gives, and as we all try to disciple and be a positive impact on one another spiritually, I think we will see a big change at MBBC.

Overall, I believe, as long as communication and organization is taken care of, this new method of going about our societies has a greater potential than anything we've done before to see our student body unified in serving our Lord and Savior. However, we must be careful in who we vote for in our leadership. We must also make sure to keep communication lines open. Most importantly, regardless of the changes made, we must be open and willing to let God work in our lives and use these opportunities to not only see people changed for Christ, but let Christ change us.

Work, School, and Rock Climbing

2008-09-08T07:01:00.009-06:00

Okay, so I completely failed in actually posting as often as I wanted to this summer. I do have a lot of things I would like to eventually write about, but priorities are priorities, as evidenced by my last post.

Work- I have been working quite a bit between my two jobs. Now that I'm back in school, it is still about 40 hours a week. Which leads me to my next subject.

School- I am taking 6 credits (plus orchestra; not counting that credit as it isn't counting towards my graduation requirements). I am taking Developmental Psychology and Educational Psychology. Both are more paper/project oriented classes, so this will allow me to continue working since I only need to study for tests and do my projects/papers (try to get some work on them done each day so it won't be quite so much later). Once completed, I will have 38 credits left (not counting student teaching).

Rock Climbing-

As you can see, we had a lot of fun at Devil's Lake. Unfortunately, this will be our last real get together now that the semester is fully on its way. Oh, well. There's always right after Project Due Date (afterall, it's not like you got anything better to do...except to study for finals....)!

Timewasters 101

2008-07-11T21:35:00.009-06:00

Okay, so I compiled a list of some things that I do that waste the most amount of my time from doing other things that would be far more productive in my life. Sadly, they are actually the typical and most obvious things.

T.V.- I spend a lot of time watching T.V. I really love stuff like Law & Order (but only the seasons with Lennie and Green as the detectives; sad I've seen enough episodes I can say that, eh?), Stargate, and X-Files, not to mention just about anything shown on The History Channel. However, over the last year, I've really begun to view my T.V. habits through the philosophy (I don't know if I made this up, or heard it from elsewhere- latter is most likely), "Philosophy is not always entertainment, but entertainment is always the by-product of someone's philosophy." Problems with most of the shows I like watching (particularly, those that are sci-fi/paranormal related): They are extremely anti-God and do not promote the Bible as the source of Objective, Absolute Truth. So, much as I- in my flesh- may enjoy wasting time on these things, I think it's time to start watching a whole lot more sparingly, lest I fall victim to allowing my view of God to be influenced by my entertainment.

Video games- I used to waste a ton of time on these, but not nearly so much of late. However, in response to my internet fast, I have deleted what few games I actually had on my computer off, and have made the decision that games will be for when I have friends over. Fun party games like Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and others of the like (notice the Nintendo emphasis there, though I obviously enjoyed playing Team Halo with the entire Wass Family-Jon and I in MN, James in WI, and his dad in Canada- via X-Box Live :-) ). The violence in a lot of games has become more than simply a matter of "survival to complete the mission" to just flat out excessive (take games like Hit Man and Grand Theft Auto- Vice City, for example, and I haven't even gotten into other moral content within some of these games). Not saying that the games are the cause for the problems in our society or my own life for that matter, but like with T.V., if we as Christians don't spend more time in God's Word than on the compy (or HD T.V.) screen, we're going to be spiritually adrift from our moorings pretty quickly, due to the poor theological influences contained within the games.

Sidenote: just for the record, I've heard a lot of erroneous teaching over the years regarding certain video game elements and characters. For example, for those who see the pikachu in the picture and are thinking that Pokemon is Japanese for pocket monsters and I'm now evil for enjoying a game with Pokemon characters in it, get a grip. The word actually means.... nothing in Japanese. It means about as much as the word "blah" means in English. I know, cause I went to school with an MK from Japan and spoke with him about this. There isn't anything inherently evil with the Pikachu character. There may, however, be some poor theology/philosophy if one watches the cartoon (which I have not, given- outside of old school anime like Voltron- I don't care for anime cartoons; even that like is more out of childhood nostalgia, than actual liking; kind of like old school Super Mario for the NES). Our arguments against elements of our pop culture need to be fought with an open and well known Bible in hand, not off the cuff Bible-thumping reactions. If you choose to go with the latter rather than the former, please permit me to send you an "I Don't Read my Bible" T-shirt. :-D With that in mind, side note ended.

Facebook- Yep, sorry (especially given this blog post will most likely be seen by people on Facebook than those who actually read the blog), but it's true. Facebook and email are actually my worst time wasters. You're probably thinking, "I haven't heard from Noah in forever. And, he's only got like 5 applications that he actually uses. How can it be that he claims to waste so much time on Facebook?" You'd be surprised. The whole you haven't heard from me in forever thing is partly why I don't use the applications. I'd prefer to actually communicate with as many people as I can when I can, rather than send them spam mail inviting them to use some application that doesn't really have personal meaning. Not to say that all applications are that way, but most of them are, or so it would seem.

Sidenote: if you received a notice that I blocked an application that you invited me to, please don't take it personally. The reality is, I decided it was time to start actually hitting the block button on those invites, since I only had 170 some invites that I hadn't hit ignore on, and it was logging up my Facebook activity, believe it or not.

Replacements- Not wanting to leave a vacuum of time that would then revert back or be worse, I have had to replace the time with some other valuable things. These include, but are not limited to:

Sleep- A lot of time wasted- particluarly on the internet side- resulted in sleep deprivation. Going to bed an hour or two earlier every night is helping to fix this problem.

Calling people- I actually prefer to call and talk to people, rather than emailing. Emailing just is not quite as personal. Granted, for some people, that is the only way I have available of keeping in touch (or Facebook). But, I do try to make it a habit to go through my contacts list in my phone from time to time and call people that I know I haven't talked to in a while. I like to stay as current as I can. Now that I have my phone plan, I can keep better track of my minutes used, too. With about two hours of driving every day, I have tons of time to talk, especially in the evening, when most people are available. I'm on ATT and my nights and weekends start at 7pm, so I have a lot of opportunities to talk to people in a way that (hopefully) doesn't cost them anything extra (except the time spent, of course), either.

Hanging out with friends- during the summer months, most of my friends are gone, but there are still a few who are around. I love roller blading and riding my bike, so what a better way to hang out with friends, especially if one of them has roller blades, also! It's great exercise, which is good for me and is needed- regardless of my waist size- and it's a great way to hang out. Video games are fun to play while hanging out with friends, also. Not to mention eating. That's always a good thing to do with friends. Board games are a fun diversion, also. Not to mention that- in most cases- the only philosophy and theology involved in such games is only those that you bring with you! Settlers of Catan was a great recent spend.

Writing- while coming up with ideas for writing on this blog (I have an interesting post I'm working on for next week, hopefully), working on my book (that I've been working on since summer 2005), coming up with ideas for future Sunday School/ Youth Group teaching curricula, I find that writing is rather enjoyable again. And, I have more time to do it (not to mention 10 more GB of hard drive space after deleting one game). One of these days I hope to afford Finale and start writing music again, too. Or perhaps take a bunch of the songs I've already written- but only have the music for them in my head- and actually put the words and music together in a readable (and playable/recordable) format.

More time in The Word- Last, but certainly not least, this is the most obvious choice, but not always the choice actually chosen by those of us who seek to use our time more wisely. It is very easy to forget in this age in which our god seems to be Entertainment rather than Jehovah (Someone told me recently that A.W. Tozer wrote an article to that effect; if you know where to find it, please do tell) that God should have first place and most place. I love how with some of my friends, I can be playing a game of Smash Bros. Brawl, Settlers, or just sitting down over dinner, and our conversation always comes back to topics of spirituality. Fellowship is all about encouraging one another spiritually to love God the way He loves us; doing everything within our power to help one another love God with all of our hearts, with all of our souls, with all of our minds, and with all of our might.

I hope that we wish to spend more time with the King of kings and Lord of lords instead of Wii, Sony, Microsoft, Dell, HP, and HD. None of the things in this life that we use to entertain us are bad in and of themselves, but far too often, we allow the entertainment to control and influence us instead of letting God, His Word, and His people have the control and influence in our lives.

Your thoughts: How do you spend your time? What are your biggest time wasters? What do you do with your time that helps you to chase after God (so, instead of time wasters, perhaps God-chasers for short?)?

I'm baaaaaaaaack....

2008-07-01T22:07:00.002-06:00

Yep, that's right; Internet fast is now over. It was good for me, too. I learned a lot about myself and how I choose to spend my time. Was able to accomplish a number of things I normally didn't, too. So, with that being said, I'm not making any promises here, but I am hoping to post decently regularly (like once a week or along those lines). God is doing some amazing things in my life (well, at least to me it seems amazing), and He's showing me a lot. I hope that such insights will bring Metamorpho back to its semi-original purpose: to stimulate spiritual growth through the discussion of God's Word and showing how God's Word applies to issues happening in our day (given that the ORIGINAL purpose was for Jon, myself, and some friends to go through a book together and use the blog as our way of staying in touch with one another throughout the study since we couldn't find a time to meet, you can understand that the blog's purpose has grown a bit).

Other than that, I'll reply to everyone as I can. Don't be surprised if some of you get phone calls, instead. Laters!

Internet Fast

2008-06-03T20:10:00.003-06:00

So, I decided the other day- after I caught myself using the expression, "If I had more time, I would...."- that it was time to evauluate how I was using my time. Obviously, writing on this blog hasn't had much time spent to it, though I do have several posts that I've been meaning to finish up. Between keeping up on other people's blogs, Facebook (though I haven't been on it much the last few days due to spending more time sleeping while fighting off a sinus infection), my own blog, and even a couple of games I play online, I realized that I spend entirely way too much time online. Actually, three days ago, I put my computer to sleep, and it didn't go out of sleep mode until I sat down to write this post. Why? Because, though I now have the MacArthur Lifeworks Library 2.0 on my computer, a slew of books that I've been in the middle of reading for almost over a year now (Jon, that would include the book I bought while helping you move last year, MacArthur's The Truth War), not to mention a book I've been writing since summer of 2005 when I did my internship in Marshall, MN, I only get on my computer when it's time to browse the internet. So, by God's grace, I'm taking a break from the internet. I know that come July 1, I may regret this decision as I go through the 80 emails that will be sitting in my email box (most of it probably from Buy.com, Amazon, or Facebook), but I think it may be worth it. When I come back to the internet, I am going to have a more healthy approach to how I spend my time on it, as I will be spending part of my new free found time making such a plan to execute. Who knows? Perhaps I'll even get some practice time in on my instrument. :-)

If you want to get a hold of me, email will be out of touch for a while. If you have my phone number, you can call. See you in a month. :-)

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

2008-04-24T00:40:00.004-06:00

I don't know who all actually reads this blog besides Jon and myself, but if any of you have been at MBBC or are familiar with its faculty, you will know of Ted Daub, aka Bwana Daub to us students. He and his wife came to the States a few years ago after serving The Lord as missionaries for 30 years in Kenya. While here, Bwana taught missions classes and helped to start the Missions Prayer Bands here at MBBC that have so greatly impacted my life and helped to give me a more informed perspective on missions. Mrs. Daub worked in the Deans Office. In January 2007, they began deputation to go back to Kenya. Yesterday, they were supposed to be moving back to Pennsylvania (I spoke with both Mr. and Mrs. Daub two days ago at Menard's as they came to get a couple of last minute items before finishing packing to move to their new house in PA and then beginning their next series of deputation meetings until September). They are hoping, based on current happenings, to be at full support and go to Kenya in October. However, Bwana had a heart attack yesterday. I'm afraid I don't know much more than that, unfortunately. I searched MBBC's website and was unable to find anything regarding this prayer request. If you know any more details, please let me know. I would like to be able to pray more accurately for them.

Please pray for this dear man of God and his wife that this incident would not hinder them from being able to continue their deputation and go back to Kenya. Even while stateside, their heart has always been with the people of Kenya, and they earnestly desire to go back to the work there to see souls saved and discipled for Jesus Christ.

Joshua Harris and biblical beauty

2008-04-22T23:51:00.004-06:00

In response to a book written for children about plastic surgery (read the post, first, before you throw a Christian temper tantrum about it), Joshua Harris gives some biblical insight on God's definition of beauty.

Harris- Mommy's Got a New Belly and Nose

Thought....

2008-04-06T23:00:00.004-06:00

Kevin Brownfield preached today at my church. Today's morning message (which I hope to have loaded onto the web within the week) was from Pilippians 3:4-11. He asked one very simple question and then used the life of Paul, as explained within this text, to answer how a person should biblically answer this question. The question was rather simple, yet profound. "Does Jesus know you?" Well, does He?

Having the Mind of Christ

2008-03-30T21:48:00.006-06:00

Note: This message was preached on 3/30/2008 at Bible Baptist Church, Beaver Dam, WI. This message was the second part of two messages, with the first part being preached by Chris Finch (who preached Phil. 2:1-4 the same evening; and did a good job, you want my personal opinion).

Having the Mind of Christ
Phil. 2:5-11

Unity comes through humility. That was Chris’s point. This whole point is developed- as Chris stated- from the concept of our Heavenly citizenship (1:27-30). Paul is going to continue this thought in verses 5-11. He does this through theology. You see this passage is an application of theology so that these believers will be able to live rightly. Paul makes the point here that right theology leads to right living. Wrong theology leads to wrong living. You have to think rightly about God in order to live rightly for Him.

God wants us to see much from this passage. Ultimately, God wants us to have the mind of Christ (v. 5- mind = attitude or thought pattern). Two thoughts we will explore from this passage is that we can only have the mind of Christ when we are humble. We can also only have the mind of Christ when we are honest.

First, we have the mind of Christ when we have humility. This is Paul’s first exhortation to the Philippian believers in this passage. Not only does he encourage them here, but we must realize that this is a command, also. "Let this mind be in you..." is an imperative statement. We must do this, Paul says. How do we do this? He shows us through the ultimate example of humility- Jesus Christ.
As Paul begins this discussion in verse 6, we see Jesus Christ- who was God- and “thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” This phrase here is sometimes misunderstood, so let me tell you what it means, and then I'll illustrate it for you. The idea here, a better way to word this in modern english would be- "He thought equality with God was not something to be grasped." Two illustrations for you that help us to understand this. Say, ladies, that you are walking down the street in Manhatten, NY. Some jerk decides he's going to take your purse. So, what you do? You wrestle him for it! You don't just let him take it; you make the wanna'-be thief fight for it, like a wide receiver trying to make that big play with the ball in his hands. That's the idea here. So often, we have menial tasks that we think our beyond us. Like scrubbing toilets. We're above that. But, we're not, in reality. You see, Christ didn't just leave heaven and come as God to this earth to bring salvation. He came as a human being, just like you or I; though He was still 100% God, He was also 100% man. In other words, Christ was not so proud that He was willing to redeem us, but unwilling to do it by becoming a human like us. We know that because that's exactly what this passage tells us He did.

Verse 7 continues the thought further. Not only was He humble by simply becoming a man, but He was humble in how He chose to be born. Let’s not forget, Jesus SHOULD have been born with a King’s birth! Joseph was the rightful heir to the throne of David! Jesus could have chosen to have been born to any parent on earth, and He chose parents who were so poor that when it was time for Mary to give her sacrifice for purification 40 days after Jesus’ birth, two turtle doves was the best they could do. Last I checked, that wasn't exactly the way I pictured kings living. Yet, that's exactly what Christ did. He could have picked any parents on earth, and He chose them, knowing full well that He would work long hours and days as a carpenter and that He would sweat and stink just like the rest of us.
Then, as if that wasn’t enough, in verse 8 we see that Jesus Christ- The Messiah, King of kings, Lord of lords, Heaven’s Promised Hope for All Mankind- died my death, taking my shame and my blame on my cross.
Perhaps you've been there, maybe you haven't. But, if you've seen any pictures or watched The History Channel or anything like that on Arlington Cemetery, you can picture what I'm talking about. The cemetery is an interesting place. It was originally the plantation home of General Robert Lee before he defected to The South during The Civil War. His house, when you stand on the porch, looks down a hill right into the heart of Washington D.C. It's a beautiful sight. Unfortunately, how it became a cemetery was due to some bitter northern troops (on this, I don't know specifics; could have been some generals, not sure) deciding that- to get back at Lee for defecting- they buried on his land the bodies of northern soliders who died fighting The Civil War. They knew that even if The South won, they would have their vengeance as Robert Lee- being a Christian- would have respect for the dead there and would be unable to disturb those bodies once they were given a soldier's burial. The sight there is amazing. Apart from the Kennedy graves and a few other odds and ends, the sight is something else. It's very beautiful. It's also awe inspiring- and convicting. As you stand on the porch, looking out from the house towards D.C., you can see line, after line, after line of white crosses- the graves of all men since the Civil War who have been buried while in the service of our military. You see, the freedom that we have in this nation has come at a high cost. The lives of a lot of soldiers. However, though their sacrifice has insured our freedom in America, what they have done pales in comparison to the work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary. Freedom is never free, ladies and gentlemen. Our freedom through salvation came at a great and high cost- the price of Christ's precious blood being shed as He took the full brunt of God's Infinite Wrath during that finite amount of time on the Cross. I'll never fully understand it- not in this life, at least- but I'm greatly thankful it. So, how can we- who know that we are saved by grace, live so proudly- knowing that we have nothing to be proud of save the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? How can we sit here in sin and do nothing about it? Why would we wait to take care of it when we can have the blessing and joy of walking with Christ now?

That leads us to our second point. Having the mind of Christ also requires honesty. We see this in verse 9. We see as we continue in the text that Christ- after being raised from the dead- has been given a name which is above every name. Not just some names, but all of them. The point Paul is making is that Jesus Christ is to be the supreme importance in our lives. We are to love Him with all of our hearts, with all of our souls, with all of our minds, and with all of our might. So, if we’re going to have a relationship with Him now, we have to be honest. You can’t have humility without honesty. Though you can have honesty without humility- recognizing a problem exists, but not doing anything about it- you can’t recognize you’re nothing and act like it, unless you’re honest about your condition.
As we read verses 10-11, I want to take a just as a small side note here. The side note does relate to the passage, but it will take a second to explain. A thought comes to my mind as I consider how there is a day coming in which every knee will bow and all tongues will confess that He is God to the glory of God The Father. I can’t help but ask, why am I here? Why am I in church? Why am I preaching? Why do I shake someone’s hand and make it a point to ask them how they’re doing? Why do I read my Bible? Why do I take notes while someone’s preaching? Why do I do what I do? Do I do it simply because I must, or do I do it because I love God and my love for Him and for other people motivates me to do these things? There are three stages of Christianity- disobedience, duty, delight (stage 1, self explanatory; stage 2- isn’t found in Scripture- though not wrong, it’s still dead worship; stage 3- where God desires us to be- Psalm 37:4, Psalm 40:8, Phil. 3:1, Phil. 4:4, 1 Thess. 5:17). Let me illustrate it this way: Wives or husbands- your spouse comes in the door, they've been at work, or maybe they've been away on a business trip for a couple of days, or maybe they just got back from a run to the grocery store and they come in, and hug you and kiss you first thing seeing you after walking in. Then you ask, "What was that for?" Now, if your spouse responded with, "I did that because that's what I'm supposed to do," how would that make you feel? Wouldn't you suddenly feel very cheap and unimportant? Ladies and gentlemen, when we obey God's commands simply because it's our duty to do so, how much more do we cheapen Christ's death and resurrection?
Now, this all connects together back to verses 10-11 because Paul tells us we must have the mind of Christ; we must delight in Him above all else as one day we will delight in Him perfectly. There is a day coming in which every knee will bow regardless of how we've lived this life. Why would you wait to bow the knee when you could do it now and have the joy of obeying God because it's your delight, rather than another chore on your list?

In closing, I’d like to use a biblical illustration. So, turn with me if you would to John 21:15-17. We all know the scene, but let’s turn there, anyways. Using our sanctified imagination a bit, we know that Peter- after John whispers to him that the man standing on the shore who just helped them to make the largest catch of fish in their lives is the resurrected Jesus- takes off his outer garment and jumps in the water swimming to shore in his normal zealous fashion, wanting to be where Christ is. The other apostles, thinking a bit more practically, haul in the fish and bring the boat into shore. What they find when they get on shore is that Jesus already has breakfast prepared for them. As Charles Swindoll said when preaching on this passage, we can almost imagine that Jesus called the fish to come onto the shore and on they did come and jumped right into the coals of the fire to cook- cause He's their Creator, so He could do that and they would listen to Him. What we find in verse 15 is amazing, though. Often, we're really quick to pick on Peter here- I'm just as guilty of it- but Christ wants us to see something else. We see The Apostle with the Footshaped Mouth (as John MacArthur calls him) for once not making a perfect circle between his foot and his mouth. Christ asks him, "Do you love me?" The word used is agape. It means to make someone else the supreme object of your affection without any consideration for what you might get in return. Peter responds with, "Lord, you know that I love You." The word Peter uses is phileo. In other words, Peter said, "I'm fond of you." Now, before you go ripping on Peter for that, don't forget that this is the Peter who- when Christ told him he would deny him and forsake him- told Christ that he would forever love Christ above all else and would never leave Christ's side. We're looking at a different Peter now. We're looking at a Peter who understands his human weakness. He understands now that though it is his desire to have agape love for Christ, he knows that apart from Christ's help, the best he can do is phileo love. But notice that Christ didn't rebuke Peter for his response; He gave Peter a job to do. You see, God wants to use us, just like He used that broken Apostle as he was humble and recognized his frailties before God. But, you have to be willing to be humble and honest.

Do you have the mind of Christ? Maybe, you got something you need to take care of tonight. One person put it this way, “The invitation is open to every heart that has been broken.” What are we doing? If we choose not to get right with God, we sure aren’t fooling God. We’re only fooling ourselves. Let God break your heart. Let God break up your fallow ground. Bust your pride on God’s altar tonight and let Him have everything so that you can live the mind of Christ.

Why Wait?

2008-03-17T20:28:00.004-06:00

Why would we wait, Lord?

As special meetings are coming
Right around the bend
I cannot help but ask, “Why wait, Lord?”
“Wait for what,” You ask
Though the response is known
All too well to You, already.

Why would we wait
To make things right with You?
Though I know how special it is
the gift You’ve given to the man coming
I cannot help but wonder,
“Is Your man for our churches simply not good enough
to weekly shake us from our apathy and spiritual lethargy
or are we so deceived and blinded by our sin
that You must send a man
we’ve probably never known and never met
to shake us out of spiritual slumber?”
Why would we wait
when we can know the blessed joy
of walking close beside You;
having our feet washed from sin
and our consciences clean
so that we might come to these meetings
remembering Your great love
instead of remembering our great sin?

Why would we wait, Lord?

Why would we wait
to make things right with one another?
Is Your body so weak
that though we might grow individually
we don't know how to grow together in unity?
Is your Word not clear enough
that we must go to one another
regardless the size of the problem?
Is Your Word not clear
that problems, when ignored,
don’t go away, but only get worse?
Is Your grace so insufficient
that we can’t do the hard thing
of asking forgiveness
or giving forgiveness?
Is Your Love so shallow
that we’ve forgotten how to help
and come along side each other
so that we might grow together through our problems
instead of throwing the Bible
at one another in condemnation
like a 2-Ton brick?

Why would we wait, Lord?

Why would we wait
to love You with every fiber of our being
and each other as You loved us?
Why would we wait
to be renewed in the spirit of our minds?
Why would we wait
to renew our hearts and minds in you, Christ Jesus?
Why would we wait, O God
to be renewed in our minds
so that we can show the world
what is Your good, acceptable, and perfect will?
Why would we wait until the meetings
to hear such a man preach
when we can come boldly before You
to the Throne Room of Grace right now
to return in walking in newness of life
And fighting the good fight of faith?
Why would we wait
when we can do all of these things
this very moment?

Why would we wait, Lord?
Why would we wait?

New Link Added

2008-03-10T14:16:00.002-06:00

I've added a link to "Jonathan's Library" to our link bar on the right. Previously we had an RSS feed of the latest updates to Jonathan's library. The RSS feed is still located just below our links, but my Library updates will be slowing down once I get all my books entered into Google Books. Enjoy.

Volcanic Dust Cooling?

2008-03-08T09:36:00.000-06:00

Scientists Run Simulations on Geoengineering Project

According to this article, scientists apparently feel that the best way to keep global warming down is to simulate the cooling that volcanic eruptions create (Baumgardner's "Catastrophic Plate Tectonics Theory"- a theory for what physically happened to our earth during The Biblical World Wide Flood- proposes that volcanic ash and earth dust from the sudden moving of our earth's crust is what caused our planet's Ice Age). The article talks about using sulfate dust particles, similar to volcanic eruptions, as the means to do this. They admit that (assuming global warming does actually exist) not reducing CO2 levels in the air would still be a problem as they say it still creates more acidic oceans (that's a new one to me, and need to do some research on it).

My concern: last I checked, following volcanic eruptions tends to be what has been called "acid rain." In other words, the rain fall is not a near neutral 6.7 ph (ideally, water would be 7 ph, being completely neutral in acidic or base content). It is at least .1 ph more acidic than normal water. Now, in reality, this doesn't mean anything, but last I heard, scientists were saying that acid rain was to blame for more acidic oceans, more acidic fresh water supplies, building and historic monument erosion, etc. So, wouldn't this geoengineering project only make things worse, in the end game? Sure, it's not going to be so acidic that our flesh is melting off (thank you "Captain Planet" cartoon writers for that picture), but it's still bad, despite that our earth could be cooler. Of course, doing so could usher in the next Ice Age, too. Like the one we've been experiencing here in the Mid-West since just after Christmas, just a lot longer....

The Extent of the Subordination within the Trinity

2008-03-04T15:08:00.004-06:00

Introduction

***This paper was originally submitted for the course Systematic Theology 1 at Central Seminary in Minneapolis, MN. The footnotes for this paper are not available online. Information within the footnotes is, however, valuable to the argument proposed within this paper. If you would like a copy of the original paper in PDF, including footnotes, please email the author.***

Few doctrines, within all of theology, are as difficult to understand as the doctrine of the Trinity; however, the doctrine of the Trinity, within the minds of most theologians and believers, is one which has been settled for centuries. A number of Evangelicals have come to question whether the orthodox understanding of the Trinity is truly orthodox. Does Scripture allow and support for the Trinity to be subordinate in order and function? Does subordination of order and function necessarily mean that the equality among the godhead is not true equality? The questions regarding the relationship of the Trinity, asked within modern theology, could stretch for pages upon pages. However, one question and its answer far outweigh the thought and concern poured into the debate: what is the temporal extent of the subordination within the Trinity?

The answer to the question of the extent of the subordination within the Trinity is a debate which has generated a great deal of discussion within modern Evangelicalism. This debate has called into question the orthodoxy of both views of subordinationism: eternal and temporal. Furthermore, neither party shows any clear interaction with the opposing view's arguments. In the pages to follow, these opposing viewpoints will be examined, and their most significant arguments will be tested according to the Scriptures.

One area of differentiation between the two arguments, especially the argument of the most prominent debater, Kevin Giles, asserts that theologians most turn to the authority of tradition because of the stalemate that has developed from the differing interpretations of Scripture. As certain as this stalemate may be, no substitution can be made for the authority of Scripture within this argument. The historical understanding of the church in relationship to the subordination of the Trinity is significant and will be examined; yet the traditional understanding of the church cannot be the final arbiter in this debate. Scripture, and its careful interpretation, must be the primary basis upon which we answer this question.

The arguments to follow must be limited in their discussion to a collection of texts which contain the most significant statements regarding the Trinity. While one could incorporate numerous passages into the debate, the study to follow will only consider the Johanine references to subordination. The historical arguments must also be limited. While a historical understanding of the subordination within the Trinity must be developed, the development will not provide a complete analysis of every stage of church history, but rather those which had the greatest bearing upon the debate. In the study to follow, the context of the debate will be established by an examination of the essential views of each author, the most significant Scriptural passages pertaining to the doctrine of the subordination within the Trinity, and an explanation of the historical position of the church. A conclusion regarding the nature of the subordination within the Trinity will also be asserted.

Much of the debate between eternal and temporal subordinationists is empowered by the egalitarian debate. The conclusions made by the proponents of the various views will be examined; however, the egalitarian conclusions made by some temporal subordinationists will be assumed false on the basis of other Scriptures and studies outside of the scope of this paper. The author of this paper, though seeking to understand the nature of the subordination within the Trinity, rejects the egalitarian claims and will not support such conclusions on the basis of the overwhelming evidence against such conclusions found within the whole of Scripture.

The Views and Assertions of Orthodoxy

Eternal and temporal are the two prominent positions which are held by theologians regarding the subordination within the Trinity. A third position has been propounded and explained within an article by Michael Svigel which contains a number of valid observations which also ought to be studied.

Eternal Subordinationism

The first, and most widely held view, is the view which holds to the eternal subordination of the Son and Holy Spirit to the Father. This view, held by systematic theologians such as Augustus H. Strong, Charles Hodge, and Wayne Grudem, asserts that the Trinity is ontologically equal. Ontological equality means that each member of the godhead is equal in being and that all the members of the godhead possess all the attributes and nature that makes each member God. The view of the eternal subordinationist is best summarized by Wayne Grudem when he states, "If we do not have economic subordination, then there is no inherent difference in the way the three persons relate to one another, and consequently we do not have the three distinct persons existing … for all eternity."

The eternal subordinationists believe, however, that there is an inherent difference between ontological equality and economic equality. The Trinity is, therefore, believed to exist and function in various roles consistent with the functionality of each person of the Trinity. Furthermore, the eternal subordinationist believes that these differences in role and function have existed for all of eternity. It is further asserted that this economic subordination and difference in role is what in fact differentiates the members of the Trinity. This is made clear within an article by Kovach and Schemm when they state, "Economic subordination… means that while all three divine Persons are identical in essence, the Son is economically subordinate to the Father with respect to his eternal mission and function. The Son is no less than the Father, but has voluntarily submitted himself to the will of the Father."

Those who hold to the eternal subordination viewpoint believe that Christ and the Holy Spirit are eternally subordinate to God the Father. Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are seen as beings which are obedient to the Father's commands; yet, they still function as equal members of the Trinity. The Son, therefore, was the member who gave of Himself to die on earth at the command of the Father. One important contention, held by those who hold to the eternal subordinationist view, is that this economic subordination is not equal to inferiority, or a view that Christ is somehow less important than God the Father. This view clearly claims that God the Son is equal in being, person, and importance with God the Father.

Temporal Subordinationism

The temporal subordinationist is one who believes that Christ is the only member of the Trinity who has ever existed in a subordinate role to the Father, and this subordinate role was limited to the period of the incarnation. The temporal view has only recently come to fruition within modern Evangelical theology; yet, most within the temporal subordinationist viewpoint boldly proclaim themselves as being true Evangelical orthodoxy. The temporal subordinationist typically claims that the eternal subordinationist view is a response to the feminist movement. Kevin Giles asserts this in his book stating that, "the truth is that no one before 1970 had ever spoken of eternal subordination, and orthodoxy has never endorsed the eternal subordination of the Son of God in work, operations, functions or authority that can somehow be accepted without compromising ontological equality." Furthermore, some holding this view assert that the eternal subordinationist view is actually supporting the Arian subordinationist heresy. Giles clearly makes such assertions within his book; yet, he ultimately backs down from such bold assertions within his conclusion. "Giles states, "The way Gregg and Groh described the essence of Arianism is almost identical to how contemporary evangelicals depict the divine Father-Son relationship."

The key contention between the eternal and temporal subordinationist is the understanding of the concept of role and function. The temporal subordinationist believes that to be subordinate functionally, or subordinate in role, necessitates that a being also be subordinate in being and nature. It is upon this perceived inability for God to be different in role yet equal in being that the temporal subordinationist labels much of evangelical theology heretical.

Furthermore, the conclusions of the temporal and eternal subordinationist are in constant tension because the temporal subordinationist views eternal subordinationism as the cause and reason for the subordination between men and women. The temporal subordinationism holds that no being can be both subordinate and of equal importance; therefore, the temporal subordinationist views eternal subordinationism as holding to a view which asserts that Christ is somehow less-than God. Temporal subordinationism holds that the subordination of Christ in the incarnation has typically been read back into the eternal Trinity, and therefore, the temporal has been used to define the eternal.

Created Order Subordinationism

Another view has been proposed which asserts that the Trinity must have at least existed in subordination to one another during created time. Michael Svigel argues within his article that some within the early church understood and defined the relationship of subordination within the Trinity as it relates to the created order. The created order view of the subordination asserts that each member of the Trinity is equal and eternal, but the created order view recognizes that in relationship to the created world, the Father is the head of the Trinity, and the Son and Holy Spirit act in submission to the Father's will.

The created order view, therefore, holds that the concept of "eternal functional subordination" among the members of the Trinity is a poor definition of the relationship of the Trinity. Furthermore, the created order view asserts that the common temporal view of the subordination has not accounted for the information provided within the Scripture regarding how Christ and the Spirit acted subordinately to the Father preceding the incarnation.

Orthodoxy Defined Biblically

The only means through which orthodoxy can be identified is through a study and examination of Scripture. Each of the two prominent views of the subordination within the Trinity claim that they hold true orthodoxy; yet, there has been little interaction among the two concerning their differing interpretations of Scripture. Since Scripture is the only means of identifying true orthodoxy, each group ought to identify why the opposing view has strayed from orthodoxy. While historic orthodoxy is important to the debate and will be examined below, actual, Biblical orthodoxy is of far greater importance.

The greatest amount of information regarding the relationship of the Trinity is found within the Gospel of John. The Gospel of John is, therefore, one of the most studied books in the debate over the subordination of the Trinity.

Necessity of Difference in Function (John 1:1, 18)

Christ is Equal to the Father in Being

John 1 begins John's description and explanation of Jesus' person and purpose upon earth. John, therefore, from the very outset of his book sets out to define Jesus. John is noted by every orthodox commentator to be defining Jesus, not in opposition to the monotheism of Jews but rather ascribing that Jesus is monotheistic deity. The phrase "kai. qeo.j h=n o` lo,goj" at the end of John 1:1 identifies that Jesus was God. Barrett notes that the absence of the article preceding the word qeo.j is important because it identifies that Jesus was not the only being who could be described as being fully God. Jesus is, therefore, by John ascribed equal deity among the Trinity; yet, He is not the sole possessor of the deity. It should be established that according to God's attributes, being, eternality, and equality, Christ is equal to the other members of the Trinity. Barrett thus asserts that it is upon this understanding of Christ that John desires his audience to understand the rest of his gospel.Christ's equality of being and essence is supported throughout John in John 1:1; 10:30; 17:11, 21; 20:28. It must also be recognized that orthodoxy includes an understanding of Christ as equal to the Father in being, essence, and nature. One cannot assert that Jesus is anything less than wholly God and be considered orthodox.

The three views of subordination all hold to this basic premise regarding Christ; yet, the eternal subordinationist asserts that the temporal subordinationist should not differentiate between function (or role) and being. Therefore, it is asserted by the temporal subordinationist that the eternal subordinationist does not uphold the orthodox view. This assertion that Christ cannot be in anyway differentiated by role or function is not supported by the text of John. John asserts that Jesus is equal to God and is God Himself; yet, Christ is not identified as the whole Trinity. John carefully notes Jesus, as God, allowing for the including of the other members of the Trinity. The temporal subordinationist desires to identify the different persons of the Godhead; yet, the temporal subordinationist seeks to deny that they can be identified according to what they do. If the members of the Trinity are noted by John's Gospel to be equal in being to God, how are they different persons apart from their function?

Christ is Differentiated from the Father

This differentiation between the persons of the Trinity is further understood by John to involve a differentiation in relationship to the Trinity's revelation to men. John 1:18 identifies that "no one has seen God" and John 6:46 explains that "no one has seen the Father." The Father is, therefore, identified as one whom has never before been revealed to mankind. Jesus, within these passages, is noted as being the perfect revelation of the Father. No picture or description of God is more complete than that of Jesus Christ. John 1:18, 6:46, and Christ's identification as "the Word" in John, identifies Christ as the member of the Trinity who reveals God to mankind. Christ clearly is the member of the Trinity through which God has chosen to reveal Himself. While this revelation of Him is clearly portrayed in the incarnation, the incarnation is not the first revelation of God through Christ. The preincarnate appearances of Christ further identify Christ as the primary means through which God has revealed Himself.

Furthermore, it must be asserted that Christ is identified as the Word throughout eternity. Christ is identified in John 1:1 to be one who has always been the Word, and hence, the revelation of God. Christ did not become the Word at the incarnation nor did Christ take upon Himself a new function in this regard at the incarnation. Christ has always been the person of the Godhead through which God has revealed Himself. Therefore, the Trinity can be, and must be, identified in terms of its function from man's perspective. God the Father is noted within Scripture as being one whom sinful men could not look upon; it is through Christ's differing function that humanity can now look upon and have a relationship with God.

Jesus was Sent by the Father (John 3:16-17; John 7:28-29)

Another significant point of contention between the views on the subordination of the Trinity relates to the sending of Jesus by the Father. Giles, supporting his temporal subordinationist view, asserts that the sending language found in John's Gospel reflects the Jewish Shaliach principle. Meaning that "the one sent (the Shaliach) has the same authority as the one who sends him: he is as the sender himself." Giles, therefore, states that the sending terminology stresses the unity of the Father and Son in their work. Giles believes that Jesus could not be subordinate to the Father because He was sent with the same authority. However, Giles cites this idea from the work of Kruse who uses the concept to explain how Christ was "commissioned" by God to carry out a specific task with the authority of the Father himself. Giles, therefore, uses the terminology to emphasize the equality of God the Father and Jesus in function and role. However, this concept far from proves that Christ was not subordinate to God. This concept is used to emphasize that the sent one comes with the authority of the sender, but it does not mean that the sent one is equal in role and function to the sender. The message of the Shaliach principle is a message to the receiver. The receiver of the message is to view the sent one as having the complete authority of the sender; yet, the sent one remains obedient to the sender. As Christopher Cowan states, "Dealing with the agent was considered the same as dealing with the sender;" "the sending in rabbinical agency implies subordination."

However, it should be noted that there is some debate regarding whether or not the Shaliach principle is applicable to the references of Jesus' sending. Should the Shaliach principle not be applicable, the case for Christ's subordinate role to the Father in relationship to mankind remains true. Within the passages of John 3:16-17 and John 7:28-29, the idea of being sent is clearly portrayed as an act of obedience to the will of another. Although Christ came willingly into the world, He did so in complete accordance with the Father's will. The sending language throughout John requires that Christ came at the command of the Father just as the sending of John the Baptist in John 1:6, 33 requires that John the Baptist be subordinate to God. Some temporal subordinationists desire to interpret the sending principle in multiple ways throughout the text of John, and such interpretations are not warranted by the context of the passages.

Jesus was Equal in Authority yet Subordinate to God (John 10:17-18)

Christ is Equal to the Father in Authority and Role in Relationship to Man

Furthermore John 10:17-18 describes how Jesus Christ has a unique love with the Father because of His submission and obedience in death. John 10:18 proclaims that it is not by the will of men that Jesus died, but He died in submission to His Father's will and, yet, his own choice and power. The emphasis within this chapter is placed not upon man, nor upon the authority of Christ, but rather this passage emphasizes that Christ willingly submitted to God of His own accord. In relationship to mankind, Jesus is here stated to have the authority of God; yet, in relationship to the Father, Jesus is proclaimed to be obedient. Christ is equal in authority to God; yet, Scripture clearly proclaims that Christ acts in accordance and subordinately to the Father's will.

Christ is Subordinate and Obedient to the Will of the Father

While John's Gospel is specifically referencing the Incarnation period of time, these concepts about God and Jesus Christ are clearly not bound to the Incarnation. Christ has always been the member of the Trinity who is proclaimed to be the Word. Christ existed from before the foundation of the world and was proclaimed to be the Word during all of eternity. Christ also was sent into the world by God. Although Christ freely became incarnate; He did so in obedience and in harmony with the will of God that was established before the creation of the earth. Christ gave of His life of His own accord; yet it was given in obedience to the Father. In all of these areas Christ's authority is never portrayed by John to have changed. While both in heaven and upon earth Christ has the authority of God, He yet exercises this authority in submission to the Father's will. The authority, which Christ possesses throughout the book of John, is in no way a fluctuating authority. Christ's authority is portrayed as a constant before, during, and after Christ's incarnation. Christ had the authority of God while in heaven, He possessed the authority of God while on earth, and He continues to possess the authority of God. The authority of Jesus Christ has, however, always been an authority which involved Christ's submission to become man and to die for men.

Orthodoxy Defended Historically

Scriptures are the primary means of determining true orthodoxy. Among the debate over the subordination of the Trinity, an overemphasis has been placed upon the church's beliefs in relationship to church history. Some have even asserted that the debate is so vast that Scripture alone cannot bring a solution to the debate. Such confidence in the authority of church history is both dangerous and futile. In the paragraphs to follow, church history will be used merely to provide for believers a balancing check, whereby one may weigh an interpretation in contrast to the church's stance throughout history.

Temporal subordinationists claim that the vast amount of church history supports their claims; yet, they dismiss the majority of the writings of the early church and the writing of those who predate Irenaeus stating that they "naively" held to eternal subordinationism. If church history is an important avenue of study; one must be honest with the data and proclaim the exact nature of the view of the church throughout history.

Ante-Nicene

Within the early church writings, a great deal of support is given to the idea that there was subordination within the Trinity, and it is likely that they believed that this subordination existed throughout eternity. Within the early church, it was often noted that God the Father was the member of the Trinity who gave primary direction to the will, while Jesus Christ and the Spirit acted upon the will of the Father. This is noted within the Didache, a writing on the handling and ethics of the church, where it repeatedly mentions that Christ was a servant of God (Didache 9:2; 9:3; 10.2; 10.3). The Didache teaches that the early church understood there to be at least some form of subordination within the Trinity, at least in relationship to the Incarnation.

1 Clement and Ignatius of Antioch repeatedly reference the primary will of God and the action of the Son and the Holy Spirit. 1 Clement noted God to be the chief builder, while Christ and the Holy Spirit were the chief actors. Within these writings, God the Father is referenced as being the monarch within the Trinity. The early church not only supported subordination, some even an eternal subordination, within the Trinity, but they also commented on the differing roles of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The difference between the will and the action of the Father and Son mentioned above indicates the difference of role and function, as does Polycarp who notes, within his prologue, the Father as "God Almighty" and Jesus Christ as "our Savior" (Polycarp to the Philippians, 1:1).

Hermas, again notes Jesus Christ in a role of functional subordination to the Father, and the Father is once again noted as being the one who's will is primary. Hermas further explains that the Father acts through the Son, who is in submission to the Father's will. Justin Martyr similarly believed that the Son acts as a mediator between God and man in all things including, but not limited to, salvation. Justin Martyr developed a view of God that asserted that the Father was the highest being and He was the begetter of all. In Justin Martyr's belief, Jesus Christ was the bridge between God's transcendence and immanence. Justin Martyr also considered Jesus Christ to be equal to God, and Justin Martyr makes constant mention of this equality throughout his works. Justin viewed Christ and the Holy Spirit as occupying a second place; yet, they are both viewed by Justin as equal to God.

The Council of Nicaea

Charles Hodge, Augustus Strong, and Wayne Grudem all assert that the Nicene Creed, and the majority of church decisions following the Council of Nicaea, have ascribed to the functional subordination of Christ. The assertions regarding the Trinity produced at the council of Nicaea were largely a responsive movement to the Arian heresy that introduced that Christ was not equal to God in being, essence, and authority. The temporal subordinationist wrongly ascribes the label of heresy to the eternal subordinationists' view when he misunderstands that the Trinity can possess, and indeed is prescribed within Scripture as possessing, subordination in function.

Temporal subordinationists misinterpret the statements of the Council of Nicaea and ascribe that the council delineated that there can be no subordination within the Godhead, but rather the members of the Trinity are fully and completely equal in function. Giles states this repeatedly throughout his book on temporal subordination in statements such as, "the Council of Nicaea intentionally excluded all expressions of subordinationism known at that time... In both creeds the Son of God is confessed as 'of one substance of being (homoousious) with the Father,' and as coming down from heaven 'for us and our salvation.'" Furthermore, Giles proclaims that "if the Father and the Son are one in being and act, then the idea that the Son is eternally set under the Father, ontologically or functionally, is categorically excluded." In reference to the Council of Nicaea, Bilezikian remarks, "After the Arian controversy and its settlement at the councils, the western church affirmed the consubstantiality…, the coeternality, and the essential oneness of the persons of the Trinity, thus excluding any form of ontological hierarchy, order or ranking among them that would pertain to their eternal state."

However, the Nicene Creed clearly states that the Son was begotten of God from all eternity, and that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. The Nicene Creed is, therefore, a carefully worded statement whereby the Arian heresy of ontological subordination among the Godhead was deposed. The concept of functional subordination of the roles of the Trinity was never explicitly stated nor denied. However, the terminology clearly conveys the concept of a functional subordination or hierarchy within the Trinity, as is evidenced by the comments of Strong and Hodge.

Conclusion

The assertions of heresy made by the temporal subordinationists are striking and bold assertions made against serious Bible scholars and theologians. The writings of John's Gospel explain to the reader that Jesus Christ is equal to God and wholly God. John, however, does not limit the Godhead to only Christ. John seeks to establish that Jesus Christ is one among three who are all equally one God. This equality entails that each member possesses the same attributes, essence, nature, and being. The heresy, which is proclaimed against the eternal subordinationist, is said to be a heresy which denies these claims. Yet, all eternal subordinationists uphold these fundamental tenants of the doctrine of the Trinity.

John's Gospel also identified Jesus Christ as the Word and the member of the Trinity who has always been the revelation of God to mankind. God the Father and the Holy Spirit have never manifested themselves before mankind as did Jesus Christ. John's message teaches us that this distinct characteristic of Christ is part of the very person of Jesus Christ. Christ, therefore, is eternally the Word.

Jesus Christ is also identified within John's Gospel as one who was sent into the world at the command of the Father. This command of God upon the Son does not limit the authority of Jesus Christ in relationship to any created being or object. Christ has been given the very authority of God because He is God and was sent by God the Father. Therefore, in relationship to mankind, the authority of the Son is equal to the authority of the Father. However, Jesus Christ willfully submits to the will of God the Father because Christ is subordinate to God the Father eternally. One may assert that such subordination is only evidenced within Scripture in relationship to the created time, but the very eternal nature of Christ's role as the Word seems to suggest that this function of Christ surpasses time. Furthermore, the promise and plan of redemption is one which took place in eternity past; therefore, it would seem that Christ's subordination was at least planned, and in some way active, during eternity past.

The history of the church supports the idea that Christ was likely eternally subordinate to God. The early church, though unclear at times, with one voice ascribed varying roles and function to Christ and the Holy Spirit. The early church also consistently viewed the Father as the monarch among the Trinity and viewed His will as a will of primacy that is obeyed by the Son and Spirit. The Council of Nicaea carefully ascribed to a similar view as well in response to the Arian heresy. It is, therefore, incorrect, for theologians to name eternal subordinationists of partaking in heresy.

The eternal subordination of the Son is clearly ascribed to in Scripture. Furthermore, the church has widely accepted this view from its founding. The eternal, functional subordination of the Trinity is upon this basis the most accurate representation of the relationship among the Trinity.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sources Cited

Barrett, C. K. The Gospel According to St. John An Introduction with Commentary and Notes on the Greek Text. London: S.P.C.K., 1978.

Bauman, Michael. "Milton, Subordination, and the Two-Stage Logos." Westminster Theological Journal 48 (1986): 173-182. This work examines the various ways subordination can be understood. It explains when one's view of subordination becomes heresy and describes why John Milton's acceptance of the theory of the Two-Stage Logos is unorthodox. The Two-Stage Logos theory is referring to the belief that there is an "Immanent Word" and there is an "Expressed Word."

Beasley-Murray, George Raymond. John. Word Biblical Commentary, ed. David A Hubbard and Glen W. Barker. vol. 36. Waco, Tex: Word Books, 1987.

Bilezikian, Gilbert. "Hermeneutical Bungee-Jumping: Subordination in the Godhead." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 40 (March 1997): 57-68. This article, in many ways, agrees with Kevin Giles' book. It explains the importance of the doctrine and also proposes problems present in the ideas of the authors of Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

Carson, D. A. The Gospel According to John. Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1991.

Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology. Vol. 1. Dallas, Tex.: Dallas Seminary Press, 1947.

Cowan, Christopher. "The Father and Son in the Fourth Gospel: Johanine Subordination Revisited." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 49 (2006): 115-135. Is a clear exegetical and theological examination of the data contained in John's Gospel relative to the debate concerning the subordination within the Trinity. This paper proposes that John's Gospel contains a tension between the Son's obedience, the hierarchical authority of the Father, and the equality within the Godhead.

Dahms, John V. "The Subordination of the Son" Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 37 (1994): 351–364.

Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1998. Erickson's theology is one of the few conservative systematic theologians who support the temporal subordination of the Trinity. However, his discussion of the topic is brief.

Giles, Kevin. Jesus and the Father: Modern Evangelicals Reinvent the Doctrine of the Trinity. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006. This book covers the history and exegesis of the discussion of whether the Son is eternally subordinate to the Father. The book proposes that the view that asserts that there is an eternal subordination of the Son to the Father is similar to the Arian heresy.

--------. The Trinity & Subordination: The Doctrine of God and the Contemporary Gender Debate. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2002.

Green, Joel B., Scot McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994. Grudem's theology is the theology which provides the clearest statements regarding the subordination of the Trinity. Grudem provides clear support for his claims, and he shows where other systematic theologians have agreed with him.

Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology. Vol. 1. New York: Scribner, Armstrong, and Co., 1873.

Hornell, J. Scott. "Toward a Biblical Model of the Social Trinity: Avoiding Equivocation of Nature and Order" Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 47 (2004): 399-421.

Keener, Craig S. "Is Subordination Within the Trinity Really Heresy? A Study of John 5:18 in Context." Trinity Journal 20 (1999): 39-51. This article proposes that the condemnation and use of the term "heresy" in relationship to the subordination within the Trinity should be used extremely carefully. The author believes that the labels, which are used on both sides of the gender and subordination debate, are "inappropriate." This work contains a section which exegetes and interacts with 1 Cor. 15:28 and its role in the subordination debate.

--------. The Gospel of John A Commentary. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 2003.

Kovach, Stephen D., and Peter R. Schemm, Jr. "A Defense of the Doctrine of the Eternal Subordination of the Son." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 42 (1999): 461-476. This is an article in response to Gilbert Bilezikian's article "Hermeneutical Bungee-Jumping: Subordination in the Godhead." This article contains a good number of references to the works which debate the Subordination of the Trinity. The article also contains a response to the historical data offered by Bilezikian, and Kovach provides historical information in support of his view.

Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. John's Gospel. Columbus, Ohio: Lutheran Book Concern, 1942.

Sanders, Fred. "The State of the Doctrine of the Trinity in Evangelical Theology." A paper presented at the 56^th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, San Antonio, Tex., November 18, 2004. This paper explains the various discussions concerning the modern theology of the Trinity. This paper gives information and some implications concerning "early high Christology," "eternal generation," and "gender relations" as it relates to the Trinity.

Strong, Augustus Hopkins. Systematic Theology. Vol. 1. Philadelphia: The Griffith & Rowland Press, 1907.

Svigel, Michael J. "Power in Unity, Diversity in Rank: Subordination and the Trinity in the Fathers of the Early Church." Paper presented at the 56^th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, San Antonio, TX, November 18, 2004. The paper discusses, in great detail, the writings of the early church fathers concerning their understanding of the Trinity. Svigel proposes that there was "no clear Arian ontological subordination," "no functional egalitarianism," "ontological equality and functional subordinationism," and "possible drift towards ontological subordinationism" within the early church fathers.

Tenney, Merrill C. "John." In The Expositor's Bible Commentary. ed. Frank Gaebelein, vol. 9, 3-206. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981.

Sources Consulted

Boring, M. Eugene. "John 5:19-24." Interpretation 45 (April 1991): 176-181. This is an exegetical work on the passage indicated in its title. The author gives special attention to the "Father/Son language" of the passage, which is beneficial in the study of the nature of the subordination within the Trinity.

Bickersteth, Edward Henry. The Trinity. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1957.

Carey, Philip. "The New Evangelical Subordinationism: Reading Inequality into the Trinity." Priscilla Papers 20 (Autumn 2006): 42-45. This is an egalitarian's review and summary of Kevin Giles' books with special emphasis upon the book Jesus and the Father. This is somewhat less technical that Giles, but it provides a decent, "at-a-glance" discussion of the Giles' proposal.

Erickson, Millard J. Making sense of the Trinity: 3 Crucial Questions. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

Franks, Robert S. Doctrine of the Trinity. London: Duckworth, 1953.

Grenz, Stanley. Rediscovering the Triune God: the Trinity in Contemporary Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004.

Howard, Wilbert Francis. "Father and the Son: and Exposition of John 5:19-29." Interpretation 4 (1950): 3-11.

Letham, Robert. "The Man-Woman Debate: Theological Comment." Westminster Theological Journal 52 (1990): 65-78.

McGrath, Alister E. Understanding the Trinity. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1988.

Wainwright, Arthur W. The Trinity in the New Testament. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1962.

Obama and abortion

2008-03-03T00:32:00.005-06:00

I don't normally get into politics, but I believe that people need to see this. A lot of people are very concerned about Hillary making president, but we should be just as concerned about Obama and McCain.

It doesn't surprise me to hear that the current center stage spotlight of the Democratic party is pro-choice, though he CLAIMS to be a Christian (I won't even get into the whole fact that The Church of Christ which Obama claims to be tied to preaches faith + baptism = salvation, when the Bible clearly teaches faith in Christ alone = salvation). What surprised me in reading this article was to what extent his voting record shows his support for pro-choice. How anyone claiming to be born again could support such a man, knowing this issue is at stake, is beyond me. I know some of my friends have decided that- due to not wanting McCain in and knowing that Huckabee can't win at the current numbers (have to wonder what it might look like if people had voted their consciouses instead of voting for the guy most likely to win, though) have decided that Obama is their guy. If you believe what the Bible teaches regarding the sanctity of human life, you must reconsider what you're doing in voting for him. I have to wonder who- if anyone- can be supported with my vote since Huckabee is the only pro-life guy out there and is almost 900 delegates behind....

Obama Supports Infanticide

No Strings Attached

2008-02-26T08:15:00.002-06:00

Check out this article from Sharper Iron. I'm thankful that Jason Janz was willing to reveal how God's been working on his heart this last year. I know that I was especially blessed by it this morning.

10 Years

2008-02-13T10:18:00.007-06:00

I'm sure that some people who will read this have doubtless been wondering whatever happened to some of those posts that were promised a while back. One word I think summarizes the issue: priorities. I still have several drafts saved of posts that I'm working on which will be added one of these days, but for now, we'll all have to wait. However, something wondeful is going on that I felt needed to be related to all my friends, and would neither take me long to write, nor you long to read.

Today, I celebrate 10 years to the day since I trusted in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I look back over my life and cannot help but be in awe of all that God has done and is doing in my life. This last year, despite the fact that I had to sit out yet another year, despite that I still have 56 credits to finish before I can graduate, despite trying to pay on student loans and a bassoon while still trying to save up so I can go back to school, God has been teaching me much. Actually, these responsibilities- plus others- have been the means by which God has been teaching and growing me.

The most important truth that God showed me this year is in relation to His Word. Actually, it's that He is The Word. I think we all know this and believe that we have a good grasp and handle on this, but this really is a truth we will spend the rest of our lives comprehending.

One must wonder as you read the book of Hebrews if perhaps our interpretation of "The word is alive, powerful, sharper than any two edged sword....(Heb. 4:12)" is slightly too narrow when we say that this verse is talking about Scripture. I have only thought on this because the book of Hebrews is a book that tells us how Jesus Christ is better than...well, everything. And then, for one verse, we think it's talking about the actual Scriptures themselves. But, then we read v. 13. "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." For one verse it was talking about Scripture, then suddenly it shifts back to Christ? What if the whole point of the author of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ IS The Living Scripture? Afterall, Jesus fullfilled the Law so that He would be THE Fullfillment of The Law. John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is The Word made flesh which dwelt among us.

I think the author of Hebrews is calling us to remember something. The Word (Scripture) is alive and powerful in our lives and hearts because The Word (Christ) is alive and sits at the right hand of The Father.

I don't know about you, but I have often wished on many occassions that I could have a direct conversation with Christ the way the Apostles did. I have talked with people over the years and once concluded that if we could see and hear Christ directly the way they did, it might somehow be a special reinforcement to us; that it might have more meaning somehow. But, then I'm reminded of Christ' response to Thomas- "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe." I think of Peter who saw and witnessed all Christ did, and then still denied Him. The reality is it wouldn't be any different. And, it doesn't have to. The reason: if we want to wonder and know exactly what Christ would tell us as we go through the different situations of life, all we have to do is open the pages of our Bibles to know EXACTLY what He would say. The words written down for us are the exact words that Jesus would share with us. How do I know that? Because He- as God- inspired the text. This is the part where our understandings of Bibliology and Christology meet hand in hand. The Bible is The Living Word because Christ is The Living Word.

The Word is alive, ladies and gentlemen. The Word is alive.

"The Bible was inspired over a period of 2,000 years in times of war and in days of peace; by kings, physicians, tax collectors, farmers, fishermen, singers, and shepherds. The marvel is that a library so perfectly cohesive could've been written over such a period of time and staggers the imagination. Jesus is its grand subject, our good its design, and The Glory of God is its end."
- John Piper

How are we living this out?

Fighting the Good Fight of Faith,
Noah
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
1 Timothy 6:12

Starting to Catalogue

2007-10-26T13:28:00.000-06:00

I just started cataloging my library. You can check out which books I've added lately by looking at the RSS feed on the lower right side of our blog.

Teen Mission Trip 2007 - South Dakota

2007-07-06T09:03:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow, Bible Baptist Youth Group will be leaving for South Dakota. When I get back, I'll be making some posts regarding the day to day activities of the trip. In the meantime, please pray for us. There are many things that need to be changed in each of the lives of all who are going (I include myself in this). Pray for us that God would not only use us to be a blessing to the missionaries (The Pikes) in Mclaughlin, SD and to those on The Reservation, but that He would also do a work in each of our hearts, allowing us to make Him more of our treasure. Be back in a week!

Young Missionaries- ARIBA Program Summer 2007

2007-06-12T23:51:00.001-06:00

Many of you may have heard of the ARIBA program, hosted by the Baptist Mid-Missions mission board. In Lima, Peru, there is a "missionary home base" that allows for college students, like Titus and Amy, to gain first experience while truly seeing what foreign missions is all about. As you'll see if you visit their blogs, they are attending language school, as well as taking additional Bible classes (not sure if this is through the Seminary or not), and they work with local church planting missionaries. They will be delaying graduation by at least a year by doing all of this. What's the point, you ask? Simple: to understand first hand what foreign missionaries must go through to take the task of tending God's harvest field on foreign soil (as well as to find out what God's Will might be for them regarding future life time missions endeavors). Pray for them that not only God would use them on the mission field there in Lima to be a blessing to the pastors and witness to the communities they are in, but also pray that God would show them direction regarding their lifes' work.

A Study and Plan for Biblical Discipline in the Home

2007-06-02T08:41:00.001-06:00

A Study and Plan for Biblical Discipline in the Home

*This paper was originally written for the class GBC 537 Marriage and Family Counseling at Maranatha Baptist Bible College's Graduate School of Theology. For a copy of the paper which includes the footnotes please email photojon01@aol.com.

Most parents would agree that children are as different and complex as any adult. Children have different features, traits, attitudes, talents, learning styles, personalities, and temperaments. Learning to interact with, challenge, and rear children is a difficult, yet rewarding task. However, the challenge is complicated by the sinful nature of both the parent and child. The world's system has been inundated by ideas and concepts which are only inadvertently related to Scripture. In times of difficulty and stress the Christian parent must realize that the Bible, not psychology and Dr. Phil, truly is their only reliable source for parental practice.

This paper will seek to develop in its reader a Biblical understanding of discipline by examining the Biblical texts and the various "systems" of discipline and by developing a theology of discipline and a plan for implementing the theology. The reader should, therefore, understand that such principles will only be successful if they have begun a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are actively cultivating the said relationship.

What does the Bible say about discipline?

When the Christian is confronted with a conflict or a problem he ought first to ask of himself, "what does the Bible say?" It is in knowing what the Bible says that one can accurately know what God says and wants His people to know about life and its challenges. In order to know what the Bible says about discipline, one will need to know what the Bible says about parents, children, obedience, and discipline.

Family: Parents and Children

The Bible, within its first chapters, begins to describe the Biblical home and its structure. Genesis 2:21-25 describes both the creation of woman and the creation of the marriage bond and family life. The section follows an explanation of Adam's work upon the earth. Adam has just finished investigating and naming the creatures that God had created. Adam obviously was not of caveman-like intelligence, as evolution would suggest, but he intuitively knew and questioned why God had not presented him with his help-meet. Adam here realized, as Moses explains, that he was incomplete even within his sinless state.

God presented this situation to make a point to all mankind regarding the importance of the marriage bond and its supportive nature. This is evidenced within verse 24, as noted by David McCloud; the verse acts as a parenthetical remark and, therefore, is applicable to every marriage. This parenthetical remark delineates that marriage and the family is an "exclusive," "permanent," "God-sealed relationship." The family is here laid out as the institute through which God desires for man to live and interact with God.

Furthermore, God has ordained that the focal point of the family ought to be the father and mother. Within the marriage bond, the husband has been ordained by God to be the head of the home, but the woman is to be the help-meet who has near equal authority and input into the decisions and discipline of the home. This is evidenced in passages such as Genesis 2:15, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:2, 13; 14:34-35; Ephesians 5:21, 22, 24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:11–14; 3:4-5; and Titus 2:5. All of these above passages outline a number of key principles for the family relationship. First, the husband is the one whom God views as ultimately responsible for the decisions of the family. Men, especially those desiring an office in the church, are expected to exercise their authority over the family "well." Second, wives are viewed as those who should submit to their husbands, yet they are to be respected, loved, and appreciated. The wife is not one who should simply follow orders but is one who should be allowed to participate in the ordering of the home. Both husband and wife ought, therefore, to rule over their home well and set forth guiding principles for the children. Clearly Scripture emphasizes the importance of a proper husband and wife relationship in the disciplining of children.

In relationship to parental roles, the parents, especially the father, find that his example is to be found in the Lord. This is especially evidenced in Ephesians 3:14-15 where Paul explains that all families ultimately derive their names from God the Father. "God is the Father of all fatherhood. The very idea of fatherhood is found in the divine nature. Every human father is an imperfect reflection of our perfect heavenly Father." Truly the Bible proclaims that the husband and wife ought to look towards God for their direction in the instruction and discipline of their children.

Children, however, are not neglected from being a blessed and intricate part of the family relationship. While Scripture views children to hold a significantly different role from the parents, as will be examined in the section to follow, they are an important and God-given part of the family. Throughout the entirety of the Bible children are viewed as a blessing from the Lord. Gen. 1:27–28 contains God's instruction to Adam and Eve that they are now blessed of God and that they should be fruitful and multiply. Psalms contains a great wealth of information regarding the value of children, in passages such as Psalms 113:9; 127:3-5; and 139: 13-15. These passages in Psalms proclaim how that children are both a blessing from the Lord and how that God has intricately made them from their very conception. Mark 10:14 is of special importance to the relevance and importance of the spirituality of children. Within Mark 10:14 we hear the words of Jesus saying "suffer the little children to come unto me." Clearly Jesus noted and valued children and their ability to understand spiritual things.

Obedience, Discipline, and Discipleship

Though children are to be viewed as a blessing from God and as able to participate in spiritual things, they should not be viewed as equals or as more important members than that of the father and mother. The Scriptural priority lies with that of husband and wife as being the most important relationship of the family. God desires that the husband and wife live in harmony with one another, but God also clearly desires that children live in harmony with their parents. Childhood should be a time of great joy for both parent and child. In today's culture child-rearing has become more of a necessary evil than a "necessary good." Parents and children fight and bicker, each vying for the control of the other. It is society's rejection of God's plan which has led to much of the strife and contention among today's families.

The first step to understand God's plan for anything is to understand God's simple commands regarding life. In regards to the family and children, God's simple plan is that children are to obey their father and mother. This simple command is found throughout Scripture, though it is specifically stated in Exodus 12:20; Deuteronomy 5:16; Ephesians 6:1-2; and Colossians 3:20. The Lord obviously desires that children be able to comprehend such passages, as each passage proclaims a clear and simple reason for why children ought to obey: "for this is right." "This is the motivation for children to obey their parents. It is the right thing to do before the Lord."

Though the child's role is simple, the parents have been given a much greater responsibility. God's simple plan for parents is that they act as disciplers of their children. The parents are those who are to bring up their children in the way of the Lord. Discipline is a necessary part of every family, yet it includes much more than mere punishment. Biblical discipline includes the teaching and correction of children. To be a parent one must also be a counselor.

In fact, the Hebrew word מוּסר musar, commonly translated as "discipline" in the OT, has a wide range of meanings that suggests various levels of discipline, including on one end of the spectrum "teaching or instruction" (Prov 1:2, 3, 7; 4:13), then progressing to "exhortation or warning" (Ezek 5:15; Job 20:3), and climaxing with "discipline or chastening" (Prov 13:24; 22:15; 23:13).

Throughout the Bible, parents are told that they should be raising children who know and understand the commandments of God. The Bible begins to describe that parents ought to teach their children things of the Lord in passages such as Deuteronomy 4:10; 6:7, 10-25; and 11:19. These passages sight that the curiosity of children ought to be an impetuous to learning the Lord's Word and that at every step of the day parents ought to be instructing their children.

Proverbs also describes numerous times that a parent ought first to be a discipler of their children. Proverbs 1:8-9 and 22:6 describe how that a wise child will hear the instruction of their parents and will not forsake to follow those instructions. These passages proclaim that the son who pursues the instruction of his mother and father will be greatly blessed. Furthermore, Proverbs 22:6 exhorts parents not to neglect the teaching and educating of their children in the way of the Lord. These passages proclaim the value of parental discipleship.

Unfortunately all of humanity possesses a sin nature which complicates the following of God's plan. Psalm 51:5 and Proverbs 22:15 describe how that both sinfulness and foolishness are a part of the very nature of children. For this reason it is necessary that parents discipline their children. Hebrews 12:7-10 describes how that parental discipline is more excellently described and accomplished by God.

Parental discipline is modeled after the way God disciplines His adopted children. If you want to know what it means to be a good father, it is essential that you look at the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. How does He relate with His only begotten Son? How does He deal with His adopted children?

What does the Bible teach regarding discipline? Does the Bible teach that Christian parents ought to spank their children? A proper understanding of passages such as Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; and 23:13-14 advocate that corporeal discipline is a necessity of proper discipline. Though some would teach that such passages are only advocating the necessity of discipline, inerrancy and a literal interpretation of Scripture require that one understand these to be teachings regarding one proper method of discipline, namely corporeal punishment through spanking. Furthermore, the Bible describes how that the Lord "chastens" His own children in passages such as Proverbs 3:11; 1 Corinthians 5; Hebrews 12:5; and Revelation 3:19. 1 Corinthians 5:5 describes how that a church is to hand one over to Satan should he refuse to submit to the discipline of the church. Clearly Scripture delineates a need for discipline, and that discipline may not always be a pleasant experience. A wise parent will gently use many forms of Scriptural discipline, realizing that a child would be better off learning now then he would as an adult.

Advocated Means of Discipline

Perhaps the most difficult means of parenting is in choosing the proper way in which children are to be disciplined. Within both evangelicalism, religion, and the world there is a vast array of advice vying for the attention of today's parents. Advice ranges from those holding that there should be absolutely no spanking of children to some who advocate that spanking is the only form of discipline one should employ. Which ever method of discipline parents choose to use, they must first realize that the mother and father have a Biblical responsibility to agree to support one another in their decisions to discipline.

The parents must also understand that in any form of discipline the safety and concern for their child should never be neglected. If scholarship agrees in anything, it is that when parents become overly aggressive and angry with their children they are more prone to abuse their children rather than merely disciplining their children. Parents must decide that they will not discipline out of anger before they ever encounter a discipline situation.

Opponents to spanking outline a number of studies and concepts which they believe clearly show that spanking is detrimental to the overall development and well-being of a child. It is both helpful and necessary that one consider such worldly insights, keeping in mind the Biblical commands, before agreeing upon a disciplinary plan. Opponents of spanking mention, first of all, that spanking is ineffective at achieving long term behavioral change in the life of the child. Most sources sight that spanking is very effective at changing short-term behaviors in children. The Christian should take this into consideration when spanking a child. The Bible does not teach Christians that one should merely spank their child without instruction or direction. In the studies noted, none of them mention whether a child was confronted with any form of Scriptural or non-Scriptural teaching concerning the wrong committed. The Christian would be wise to realize that spanking is not enough to evoke change in the child but that wise counsel is also needed.

Opponents to spanking note that spanking could trigger criminal or anti-social behavior simply because abusive situations have been proven to cause such behavior. This premise is truly mere speculation on the part of anti-spanking advocates. Some advocates note studies that appear to show that spanking produces children who have a higher likelihood of exhibiting depressive or psychological problems. However, this too should be viewed with the consideration that the study groups of such studies do not include only those who discipline according to the Biblical command. One could expect that mere punishment without counsel could lead to such problems.

Some also point out the possibility or tendency of some to allow spanking to escalate into abuse. They note that if one gets hit in an ear an eardrum could burst or if someone is hit too hard near a bone or muscle serious muscle problems could result. However, these ideas and studies should encourage the Christian to act properly, rather than to abandon certain disciplinary techniques all together.

Opponents of spanking do promote a number of disciplinary plans, steps, and techniques which are valuable. They note that parents should first be committed to discipline. Parents cannot simply discipline when they feel like it, but they should be consistent in their actions to their child. Parents also should be realistic in their expectations of the child. Parents should try to understand what their child is doing by trying to see things through the eyes of their child. Some techniques that are promoted are positive reinforcement, redirecting the child to appropriate behavior, verbal instruction, time-outs, the establishment of specific rules, grounding, and the withholding of privileges. All of these ideas are valuable and have their place.

Most proponents of spanking note that spanking is not an end-all. Other techniques and guideline must be established in order to produce Christ-like behavior in children. Dr. James Dobson notes six guidelines to discipline throughout many of his books on the subject. He notes that parents should "define boundaries before they are enforced," "when defiantly challenged respond with confident decisiveness," "distinguish between willful defiance and childish irresponsibility," "reassure and teach after the confrontation," "avoid impossible demands," and "let love be your guide." These guidelines also are valuable when considering an adequate method of discipline.

A Suggested Biblical Method of Discipline

A Biblical method of discipline will take into consideration as much information as possible when making a determination as to the rearing of a child. Christians ought to be the most learned people on all topics of life, as we ought to consider all of our actions carefully in seeking to honor the Lord. The following are, therefore, suggested as guidelines for Biblical discipline:

The Christian couple must make their marriage relationship the primary and most important relationship of the family. A couple committed to marriage will likely be more successful parents.
The Christian couple ought to consider and seek wise counsel in regards to the discipline of their children. A couple would be wise to lay out their methods of discipline before marriage and more seriously before the delivery of the child.
A wise couple will talk constantly in consideration of their child's actions, always seeking to revise and improve their disciplinary methods for their child.
Parents must determine the boundaries of appropriate discipline and make plans to protect themselves from anger and violence.
Christian couples should realize that children often make mistakes. Parents should be willing to recognize that not every mistake must be punished but that every mistake should be confronted with loving counsel.
Parents should develop a system of discipline that considers the Word of the Lord.
The Christian couple ought always to realize that their disciplinary strategy must be made, and consistently enacted, in love.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Colijn, Brenda B. "Family in the Bible: A Brief Survey." Ashland Theological Journal 36 (2004): 73-84.

Dobson, James. The Strong-Willed Child. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1978.

Hoehner, Harold W. Ephesians: And Exegetical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.

McCloud, David J. "The Problem of Divorce, Part 2." Emmaus Journal 2 (1993): 23-42.

McGraw, Phil. "Age-Appropriate Discipline Techniques." http://www.drphil.com/articles/249/ (April 27, 2007).

________. "Five Steps to Disciplining Your Kids." http://www.drphil.com/articles/248/ (April 27, 2007).

________. "Spanking Research." http://www.drphil.com/articles/256/ (April 27, 2007).

Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. "Child Corporal Punishment: Spanking, The Anti-spanking Position,"August 2001. http://www.religioustolerance.org/spankin4.htm (April 27, 2007).

Stitzinger, Michael F. "Genesis 1-3 and the Male/Female Role Relationship." Grace Theological Journal 2 (1981): 23-44.

Wegner, David. "Reflection on Fatherhood." Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood 3 (1998).

Wegner, Paul D. "Discipline in the Book of Proverbs: 'To Spank or not to Spank?'" Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 48 (2005): 715-732.

Congrats to Jon and the blessings of God

2007-05-31T09:24:00.002-06:00

Well, for those that do read this blog, you should make it a point to congratulate Jon. He's now graduated with his Master's from MBBC. He has a Master's degree before I've even completed my undergrad (given we came in together as Freshmen, this is quite hilarious to us all of us here). :-)

During Memorial Day weekend, Jon and his wife moved to MN, where he will be attending Seminary at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Needless to say, I'm excited as his friend to see how God is going to use this next step of training in his future ministry. His aunt and uncle came over Friday morning to help us load up the truck. They've moved a few times over the years, and their experience was very helpful in making sure that we had everything packed in the truck nicely. Loading up the truck took us just under 2.5 hours. They were a great help in the process.

Mutual friends of ours who live in the apartment above Jon and his wife drove over with us to MN to help them move in, also. It was great being able to spend some time with Aaron and his wife. I haven't been able to talk with Aaron to any great depth at all in at least a year, so it was good to catch back up with him and hear about some of what God is doing in his life.

The traveling was safe. The only complaint to be had was that the cruise control on the moving truck didn't work. Otherwise, situation normal the whole way there. Certainly, this was not to be taken for granted.

We got there about an hour or so before some people were supposed to arrive from the Seminary to help us move them in. I was expecting maybe 3 or so more people to show up. Thanks to Pastor Gottzman (Jon's youth pastor back when he was a little tike) and his family, as well as the Bauders (yes, as in THE Bauders, at least his wife and their son were able to make it that afternoon, which was really cool meeting them for the first time), the Browns (Dr. Brown, if I remember rightly, teaches the practical theology classes), and the Kings, as well as a student from the Seminary named Chris, all came to help. The truck was unloaded efficiently in no more than 30 minutes. Thanks to everyone for all the help!

Last, but certainly not least, Jon's wife's best friend was there also (she and her mother attend Fourth Baptist) to help unpack (and she brought items to make rootbeer floats as refreshment was desperately needed while we unpacked). Mrs. Gottzman and one of their daughters (who attends MBBC, also) also stayed to help unpack. Jon, Aaron, and I took care of trying to get all the furniture in place, which was fun working around all the boxes. lol In all seriousness, it was a blast helping them move in. Tiring, but way better than a normal day's work!

I stayed with a family from Fourth Baptist in the evening (there was no room in the "inn"; there was barely room for the air mattress that Aaron and his wife used, from what I heard and saw the next day). The Steeles were a lot of fun getting to know. If the Symphonic Band ever goes to Fourth again before I graduate and I get to somehow pick who I can stay with, it will be a hard choice between either them or the Mohanani's. Also, thanks to Ben (a Seminary student that Jon met while on a mission's trip to Nova Scotia several years ago) and his wife for opening up their apartment to us and providing Papa Murphey's for us for dinner.

Sunday morning, we were unable to get directions to the church that Jon wanted to go to, but that was all right, because despite it's size, Fourth Baptist is one of the friendliest churches I have ever been in (Aaron and his wife drove home Sunday morning so they could be back for services here. As I didn't hear otherwise, I would assume that they were provided with uneventful travels on the way back). We were invited over for lunch with Jon's wife's friend and her mom. The chicken was very good, and I don't remember the recipe for the coleslaw, but that's some of the only coleslaw I've ever had that I liked! After lunch, we did some shopping to get a few items for the apartment, and then returned thinking about getting a small nap before church. Instead, we got right back to unpacking. Evening service at Fourth Baptist was good, also. The Bauders invited us over for ice cream afterwards, but due to tiredness and a desire to finish unpacking the 5 or so boxes that were left, we had to decline (If you're in town, I do hope to take you up on that the next time I visit, though!). When we went to bed in the evening, they were unpacked. A few items needed to be moved around before Jon and his wife would be thoroughly satisfied with their placements, but it was good enough. They had no unpacking to look forward to when they came back once his wife was done teaching.

Monday, we finished moving a few things around and drove back home. It was a gorgeous day for driving and once again, God provided us with safety coming back.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. Thanks guys for letting me tag along to help you move. I only wish I could've had some time to spend with you guys during this year that I was out of school. I will definitely have to make it a point to come and visit you (during the summers while you're not taking classes, of course). ;-)

God is good all the time. This weekend it was VERY easy to see that. Sorry for no pictures, neither of us thought to bring our cameras along (well, Jon's was there, but packed...somewhere). Hopefully we'll get some shots once they've completely moved in and gotten stuff hung up.

Ten Thousand Angels

2007-04-06T22:18:00.003-06:00

Ten Thousand Angels- Ray Overholt

They bound the hands of Jesus
in the garden where he prayed
They led Him thro' the streets in shame.
They spat upon the Savior
so pure and free from sin.
They said crucify Him;
He's to blame.

He could have called ten thousand angels
to destroy the world and set Him free
He could have called ten thousand angels,
but He died alone for you and me.

Upon His precious head
they placed a crown of thorns;
They laughed and said "Behold the King!"
They struck Him and tey cursed Him
and mocked His Holy Name.
All alone He suffered everything.

He could have called ten thousand angels
to destroy the world and set Him free
He could have called ten thousand angels,
but He died alone for you and me.

When they nailed Him to the cross,
His mother stood nearby
He said, "Woman, behold thy son!"
He cried, "I thirst for water,"
but they gave Him none to drink.
Then the sinful work of man was done.

He could have called ten thousand angels
to destroy the world and set Him free
He could have called ten thousand angels,
but He died alone for you and me.

To the howling mob He yielded;
He did not for mercy cry.
The cross of shame He took alone.
And when He cried, "It's finished,"
He gave Himself to die.
Salvations wondrous plan was done.

He could have called ten thousand angels
to destroy the world and set Him free
He could have called ten thousand angels,
but He died alone for you and me.

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"- Matthew 27:46
"I will never leave you, nor forsake you."- Hebrews 13:6

God is good, amen?

If You Do Not Believe, You Will Not Last

2007-04-02T13:48:00.001-06:00

If You Do Not Believe, You Will Not Last

Check out this post from the Desiring God blog. Reminded me of the message I heard at my church yesterday, "Death Before Disobedience."

Dating Game- How to Date After the Vows

2007-03-12T12:15:00.001-06:00

The Dating Game: How to Date after the vows

I found this article on the MBBC website in our new edition of Sunesis. This is a good article for those looking forward to marriage and especially for those who are married. Enjoy!

Don't Waste Your Life!

2007-02-27T18:09:00.001-06:00

Don't Waste Your Life is a book I've been wanting to read by John Piper for quite a long time. Among other books of his, you'll find a link to the book here. Also, I highly recommend that you read and/or listen to his sermon with the same title.

Just Making Up Faith as We Go Along

2007-02-16T09:30:00.001-06:00

Yeah, that's what Steve Camp thought about a new conference that's being held in the Dallas area soon. He had some pretty harsh, and true words to say about this so called spiritual leadership conference. Read what his blog has to say about the "Creative Church Conference" or C3 at Camp On This.

Sermon on Leadership

2007-02-15T19:40:00.002-06:00

So, I was browsing the MBBC online Sermon Library a couple of weeks back, and- lo and behold! I found a message from my good and friend and your's, Jon Wass (aka- the head author of this blog). Check out this link to listen to and/or download the sermon on Leadership from Ezekiel 34:1-10.

Feeding the Flesh

2007-02-10T13:51:00.001-06:00

Joshua Harris examines Romans 13:14 with practical applications for the Christian who desires to overcome sin in his or her life.

Feeding the Flesh

Desiring God Pastors Conference

2007-02-08T11:30:00.001-06:00

For any and all interested, the Desiring God Pastor's Conference is now entirely posted online. Transcripts and online listening are all available in one convenient list on the Desiring God blog at:

Pastor's Conference Recap

When Hearts are Better Than Heads

2007-02-07T15:24:00.001-06:00

Check out this blog post Noah found. It has some great content and devotional thoughts.

"When Hearts Are Better than Heads, and Vice Versa."

Change of Address

2007-01-24T16:18:00.001-06:00

Noah and I will likely be moving our blog from http://metamorpho.blogsome.com to this blog. Although we may move some of the old posts from the old Metamorpho to the new Metamorpho we likely will leave most of the old posts on the old site for now.

For anyone who has read any of our stuff from the old site you are probably well aware of the problems we had at the old site. The old site was difficult to customize and had a few glitches. Some of the "junk links" would cover up our posting history and made the site unattractive. Although we liked our customized graphics, we simply could not put up with the dysfunctionality of the site. Hopefully blogger will be more user and designer friendly.

Born to Die

2006-12-20T12:09:00.003-06:00

Perhaps, this post may sound a bit cliche, but I cannot escape this thought at the moment as I look back on what Christ did for me and all those who have believed on His Name, and even those who have yet to do so.

In my online journeys (and at work), I have encountered many people who either are asking about the true meaning of Christmas, or have given up on it all together. The latter of those two groups simply see Christmas as yet another day in which capitalism reigns supreme and selfishness seems to be the ultimate motivation for the celebration. Sadly, those of US (I include myself here) in America who claim to represent Biblical Christianity are just as guilty in presenting this selfish picture of Christmas.

However, if we consider what The Bible teaches, we see something very different. We find the true meaning of Christmas. The hymn quoted below summarizes the 4 Gospels best with the line, “Born to die that man might live.” Jesus Christ was born not to be a good example, not to be a great prophet, but He was born so that He might die and pay the price for our sins. Thankfully, it doesn’t end there. He was also born so that He might rise again from the dead, proving that He has the victory over sin, death, and Hell; that He is indeed The Son of God (Romans 1:3-4).

What is your motivation for celebrating The Savior’s birth this year? Is it simply to give presents in the selfish hopes that you’ll get something in return? Or is it to meditate on what your Savior did for you? If this lost world were to view how Christmas was celebrated in your home, would they see selfish capitalism, or would they see Jesus Christ?

“Ring the Bells”
Harry Bollback

Ring the bells! Ring the bells!
Let the whole world know;
Christ was born in Bethlehem;
Many years ago.

Born to die that man might live;
Came to earth new life to give;
Born of Mary born so low;
Many years ago.

God the Father gave His Son;
Gave His Own Beloved One;
To this wicked, sinful earth;
To bring mankind His love, new birth.

Ring the bells! Ring the bells!
Let the whole world know.
Christ the Savior lives today;
As He did so long ago!

In My Weakness

2006-12-07T23:51:00.000-06:00

This may sound ridiculously simple, but to me this was a very profound (and greatly encouraging) thought that God has been teaching me this whole semester while I’ve been out of school.

I’ve been meditating on the song, “In My Weakness” (if you don’t know it, listen to Christy Galkin’s CD, which is a Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team CD featuring Christy) and also read the related Scripture passage, 2 Corinthians 12. Normally, when we consider the thought of God’s strength being perfect in our weakness, our first thought is that He is greater than our weaknesses. No doubt, this is certainly true. Our second, and slightly deeper application of this truth is that God is able to overcome our weaknesses and work in our lives in spite of them. I believe this to be the immediate application of the 2 Corinthians 12 passage. However, in the whole context of Scripture, I came to discover and understand for myself an even richer and 3rd application of the truth of how God’s strength is perfect in my weakness. God is not only greater than my weaknesses and able to work in spite of them, but He can make my weaknesses my strengths. How this came to be understood is through a series of events that have happened this semester (which, unfortunately, due to the nature of those events and for the sake of those involved, I cannot give details; but I will suffice to say that they were situations in which I was struggling to “Count it all joy (James 1:2).”) in which I was unable to do anything. In utter complete helplessness, I leaned on Christ to do a work that I knew from the start only He could do, but hoped that He would accomplish through me. My weakness- in this case inability- became a strength- dependance and trust in God. As we consider the lives of men like Peter, Paul, Timothy, and others, we see how God took their weaknesses and made those weaknesses their greatest assets. I think particularly of Peter- the apostle with the foot-shaped mouth- and how God took Peter’s pride of self and turned it into boldness for Christ. God can do this in any and all areas of our lives, and I believe that it is desire to do so, if we will but let Him.

I praise God for allowing the both good and hard circumstances that have come my way. If for nothing else, I praise Him for this because He strengthened my resolve to continue fighting the good fight of faith, and to let God show how He could take my weakest moments in life and make them into my strongest moments.

When living life for Jesus Christ
becomes too hard a task;
When obedience means sacrifice
that seems too much to ask,
that’s when I learn that my own strength
isn’t really strength at all.
And, I find rest in humbleness
when He becomes my all.

In my weakness, He is strong.
In my need, He leads me on.
When I come to the end
of all that I am
and place my trust in Him,
that’s when His strength begins
in my weakness.

When failures in my human strength
have weakened all my pride;
When ruined hopes and fallen dreams
have crumbled me inside,
that’s when I learn to finally see
the strength of Jesus Christ.
It’s then I see His strength in me,
when weakness fills my life.

In my weakness, He is strong.
In my need, He leads me on.
When I come to the end
of all that I am
and place my trust in Him,
that’s when His strength begins
in my weakness.

In my weakness,
He is strong

God's Blessings

2006-11-15T21:48:00.001-06:00

In my most recent post, I made mention of the fact that I’ve been working 40-50+ hours a week. While I haven’t been in school, I’ve been in a bit of a quandry. As many of you that read this blog know, I am a Music Education major with my proficiency on bassoon (and I even look kind of like my instrument…or so I’m told). For the 4 1/2 years that I’ve been playing bassoon, I have been using the school’s instrument. However, now that I’m not a student, I haven’t been able to practice (part of it is school policy- completely understandable- and part of it is practicality; you can’t have two people playing the same instrument- it just isn’t sanitary!). So, with the hard earned money that I’ve been making, I decided that it was better I try to get my own instrument now, rather than after I’ve finished school. After much searching, I found the answer to my problem right underneath my nose, almost. Where I could not work something out with companies like Woodwinds and Brasswinds and other music companies that sell bassoons to do a rent-to-own on the instrument as I don’t have a credit card or the full amount of the selling price (this was mainly due to the rarity of orders placed on the instrument; unlike saxophones, trumpets, flutes, and clarinets, it’s not every day that someone orders a bassoon), White House of Music was willing to work a deal with me where I could go on their Pro-Lease plan (a rent-to-own program where a student can rent a professional level instrument while making monthly payments on the instrument). Because of the nature of the instrument, I was asked to put a $1,300 down payment on the bassoon before they could order it. Two weeks after we had talked about it, I had the money for them (and enough to continue covering my own expenses). For the last month, though, it was a struggle to decide which bassoon I actually wanted to go with. Once I was able to talk to my teacher about it, the answer became simple. So, two weeks ago, I placed the order. I wasn’t supposed to get the bassoon until January. However, Friday, White House of Music gave me a call and told me that they had the bassoon for me, ready to go; all I had to do was come in and fill out the paper work. What you see below is a bassoon that is worth $9,100 (list price). I’m getting it for $5,800. ISN’T GOD GOOD?! If I had been in school, I am convinced I would’ve never been able to own an instrument like this. It is a Fox Renard 220, and after having played on it since Sunday, I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking to get a nice bassoon. Well, here’s some pictures of it. Amazing how I took for granted the ability to practice. Enjoy sharing with me in God’s blessing!

Spiritual Leadership Conference

2006-10-16T16:50:00.000-06:00

You will notice a huge gap in our blogging. This is mainly because of my working 40-50 hours a week (Sorry, but Sunday School and Wednesday nights are kind of priority over this :-) ) and Jon’s trying to complete a lot of grad work this semester. Pray for both of us as we are involved in ministries in our respective churches and desire to be used of God to see souls saved, and believers discipled and built up in the faith.

Saturday, a good friend from school (he also goes to my church on extension) and I both got up incredibly early so that we could go down from Watertown, WI to Bethel Baptist Church’s first Spiritual Leadership Conference. With speakers lined up such as Rand Hummel (The WILDS), Dr. Chuck Phelps (Trinity Baptist Church; Concord, NH), Dr. Sam Horn (Brookside Baptist Church; Brookfield, WI), and many others from around the area and Bethel Baptist’s own church staff, we were very excited about the prospect of getting to be in a conference where we could sit under the teaching of men of God who have labored for many years within Baptist Fundamentalism and have had very successful ministries as they have labored in love for their congregations.

The opening general session was preached by Dr. Chuck Phelps. He preached about a Worry-filled life or a Word-filled life. This was an excellent message to hear about the sin of worry/ anxiety. Not only did he rehearse all that I had read in the past from MacArthur’s book, Anxiety Attacked, but he also brought to light some passages that illustrated these truths for us from the Gospel of John.

The first workshop we went to was titled, “Public school, Christian school, or Home school- Which is right?” I very much appreciated Dr. Phelps’ presentation on the need for Christian schools, not as reformers for those who’ve been kicked out of public schools or other Christian schools, but rather as a tool to help build up a local church as an aid to the parents, not the end all raising of the children for the parents. I very much appreciated how he shared with us how their Christian school was run, as well as the dynamic of having over 200 Christian school children, about 60 children in public schools, and about 60 children that were homeschooled. To keep such things harmonious within a church’s youth group, he shared some things that I thought were incredibly helpful. The first thing he shared was the youth pastor was not involved in any of the discipline that took place within the Christian school. For some, this may sound like a radical idea, but I appreciated the wisdom in this as it keeps the youth pastor with a “white hat” so to speak whenever the children see him. Though he might be informed about discipline matters, when the kids come to youth group on Wednesday night or sit in his Sunday School class, there is no need for a child to worry about whether or not the youth pastor’s view of him or her is skewed by his involvement with discipline that was needed for the child. One other thing I liked was that he said that in church, he doesn’t push any of the activities of the Christian school. He only announces activities for the Christian school twice a year- Free Day Trial (where parents and children who do not attend are allowed to sit in on classes and see what the school is like) and graduation. Otherwise, he leaves it up the Parent/Teacher/ Student bulletins that those involved in the Christian school get every Friday to take care of Christian school activity announcements. One last thing he does, demonstrating the importance of the church’s youth pastor, is that the youth pastor is in charge of the church/ school calendar. So, if a sports event is submitted on a day when the youth pastor is wanting to plan a retreat for the kids, he wins out EVERY TIME. At first I thought that perhaps this was bad as someone could very much abuse it, but any privlege can be abused, if not careful. This would certainly be best for a church with the schooled dynamics that they have so that the youth pastor isn’t wondering how many of the youth group might be able to attend something due to a sporting event, etc.

The second workshop that we went to was done by one of the pastors at Bethel Baptist Church who oversees much of the counseling ministry that the church has. The workshop was titled “The ABC’s of Counseling.” This was very helpful to me as it helped me to see some ways that I could improve my counseling ministry with the teens at my church and stay focused on the things that really matter in counseling situations.

Lunch was excellent. With a giant tortilla on the plate, we were able to design our own wraps with the various meats and lettuce, cheeses, and other toppings to our own liking.

After lunch, was the third workshop time, in which we went to hear about a ministry called “Reformer’s Unanimous”, which is headed up by a man named Steve Currington. His testimony is phenominal in how the Lord took him out of a life of alcohol dependancy and gave him a ministry in helping unsaved people break addictive problems and Christians break “stubborn habits” (”Afterall,” he sarcastically stated, “Christians don’t have addictions, do we? We have what we prefer to call ’stubborn habits,’ which are really just various forms of other addictions.”). He shared with us the ten biblical principles that his ministry uses in helping to break sinful addictions and “stubborn” habits.

After this workshop, we got to hear Dr. Sam Horn exposite the word on the subject of Grace and how Grace is not a liberty for sinful living, but a liberty for godly living.

All in all, I can’t wait to go down there again next year. It was too bad that my pastor and his son were unable to go down with us as my pastor was in need for a funeral service on Saturday. However, I’m looking forward, Lord willing, to being able to go down with them next year. Hopefully, they will keep this conference open and unthemed, just letting each of the men involved in the speaking taking what God lays on their hearts to help those of us who are lay leaders in ministry.

Separation: A Fundamental?

2006-08-07T14:38:00.000-06:00

Dr. Kevin Bauder, of Central Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote on this subject in this week's "In the Nick of Time" Newsletter. If you didn't receive this, here is the link to it on Sharper Iron. There have been many discussions here in the dorms at MBBC about this subject, and I bet it's probably discussed at the other Bible colleges, as well. Thanks Dr. Bauder for presenting this article on how biblical seperation is a proper response to those who reject the fundamentals of the faith.

This will be my last post for the week now that Fine Arts Camp is officially in session.

Psalm 40

2006-08-06T22:21:00.000-06:00

This afternoon and evening we had our training for Fine Arts Camp at Maranatha Baptist Bible College.

This afternoon we were taught biblical truths on how to deal with conflict. Galatians 6:1-10 kept coming to mind over and over again as I consider our motives for confrontation. The motive is always in love, humility, and truth.

However, most needed was a short devotional after dinner from Psalm 40 by Dr. David Ledgerwood, the chair of the Fine Arts Department (after church here in town tonight, we went to the Ledgerwoods for dinner). I’ll be honest, I wish I’d had my computer and microphone with me so that I could’ve recorded his comments, but this one sticks out in my mind the most as this has always been my take on Camp Ministry (he has expressed this every year since he started heading up Fine Arts Camp 3 years ago, but it was refreshing to hear it again):

“Though, yes, we want each of the campers to walk away from this camp being better trained and more able to play and perform on their instruments, that isn’t what this camp is all about. This camp is about seeing lives changed for Jesus Christ. This camp is about seeing campers wholly surrender their hearts and their lives to Jesus Christ one step at a time and you [the counselors] being used by God to help them make that step.”
- Dr. David Ledgerwood

Please pray for us and the 90 campers who will be here this week studying instrumental, strings, voice, and speech & drama. Pray that:
1) Every camper would walk away knowing for sure that they will spend eternity in heaven with God as their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, indeed.
2) That every camper would surrender some area of change that needs to be made wholly and completely to God and let Him work in that area of their lives.
3) That every counselor would surrender their lives to wholly loving and serving God with all their hearts, that they might be clean and unblocked channels to be used by God this week of camp.

I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.
How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.
Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.
Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”
I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know.
I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.
You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
For evils beyond number have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And my heart has failed me.
Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; Make haste, O LORD, to help me.
Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.
Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!”
Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.
- Psalm 40:1-17 NASB

What If? A Contemporary Parable

2006-07-31T13:32:00.001-06:00

WHAT IF?

What if today you found yourself standing at the edge of a crowd assembled just outside the gates of Heaven? A heavey silence is in the air as if something quite unexpected is about to happen.

Suddenly, the gates of Heaven part and two heavenly beings (too small to be cherubim and with too few wings to be seraphim) make their way toward the crowd. Each of them seems to be carrying a clipboard and a pencil. As they meet each person, they appear to jot something on the clipboard and then seem to direct the recent interviewees into one of two lines. This is obviously to you as you assumed Heave would be a place of unity without lines and segregation. It is obvious as you observe the faces of those around that they are troubled, too. "This is Heaven, right?" you think to yourself. "What a ridiculous question- I remember the time and the place, and I even wrote it down in my Bible. I attended church faithfully, I taught Sunday School, I left tracts with my tips, I did the things I was supposed to and didn't do the things I was not supposed to. If that is not evidence of my faith, what could be?" These thoughts seem to add some comfort to your mind, yet those spirits keep making their way through the crowd, and the two lines keep growing- although the left line at a much higher rate than the right.

As those around you begin to realize what is going on, they begin to look a little uncomfortable, as well. The shifting of weight from one foot to another, the fussing of hair, and the fidgeting of fingers in pockets creates a deafening sound of silence that finally breaks as you nudge your beighbor (his name tag reads "Jack") and hoarsely whisper, "What's going on?" Jack shrugs in obvious ignorance, but some of your courage rubs off on him. He nudges his neighbor ("Joy") and soon the whole crowd is rumbling in a kind of holy thunder. A few moments pass- seconds, minutes, hours, months, you're not quite sure- and then Joy whispers something to Jack, and then Jack is at your ear. "It seems as if there have been changes in policy around here. Don't worry, we are difinitely in Heaven. It just appears that some adjustments have been made for the eternal accommodations of its guests," Jack whispers.

You swallow hard, relieved somewhat, but not yet entirely secure. Jack apparently senses your uneasiness and continues, "It appears that many of us have completely lost our appetite for the things of Heaven. Let's face it- not many Christians ever really enjoyed the few moments of prayer, worship, and service we experienced on earth. Not many of us really longed to linger in the presence of Christ and sit at His feet and rejoice in His glory. Those moments when we attempted to love our 'brother' always ended up so awkward, and sometimes forgiveness just felt so unfair- sometimes it might best to let the other guy weat it out a little, let him realize just how bad he is."

You ponder and nod, and Jack continues. "You have got to admit that it was difficult to trust Him down there. First, it's 'rejoice' and it's 'suffer,' next it's 'lost your life' and it's 'gain it'. Now, you're supposed to 'live' and then you're supposed to 'die.' It would have been nice if He could have just made up His mind, and let us get on with our lives- at least that is what some are saying. That's why He is making the change." You are getting impatient by now as you see only a handful of people left in the crowd and the beings are getting closer.

"What change!?" you blurt out in a voice one-decibel too loud for polite whispering. "Right, right, I'm getting to that," Jack continues. It seems that He has decided to finally catch up to the times and recognize the rights of each man's will. Democracy has achieved its greatest victory and He is giving in. Each of us will be given a choice it seems- and both of those are better than the alternative, if you know what I mean. Not that you can feel too sorry for them- they certainly deserve it. I wonder if they get choices down there...."

You are completely frustrated now, and just as you about to grab Jack by the collar and shake the answer out of im, one of the beings calls his name. You are the only one not yet being attended to. Joy was called just before Jack, and you watch as she happily makes her way to the short line. You take a deep breath and step forward in anticipation of your name being called.

The being calls your name, and you look into its face and then divert your eyes to its feet and then to the clipboard. "Welcome to Eternity," the voice states plainly. "You have been granted a final choice for your eternal satisfaction and pleasure. Close your eyes, and I will allow you to see one option of what Heaven could be. I will fill your mind with the images of every earthly pleasure and fantasy you have ever desired. Close them fast and dwell on all that would make you happy for all eternity. Close them and from darkness will ermerge every wish, every dream, every want fulfilled. This can be Heaven for you. A Heaven without want, but a Heaven without Him. Now open your eyes and look to the left. If this is your Heaven, join that line and it will be accomplished as you wish." You open your eyes and see Jack waving to you from the left line- the long line. The spirit speaks again, "Now, lift your eyes and see the Son of Man." You look up and see HIm, the One who came for you and died for you. You look up and see Jesus- that is all.

AND NOW YOU KNOW THAT YOU MUST CHOOSE A LINE.

If heaven contained all the beauty and pleasures that one could imagine, but Christ wasn't there, would you still want to go? Lord, make us pilgrims and strangers to this world, and may Christ be the desire of our weary hearts.

Now, obviously, we know based upon the Scriptures, that a Heaven without Christ would still be a form of Hell. Obviously, Heaven is not this way. However, consider the words of this "parable" very carefully and ask yourself, "If heaven were this way, which line would I be choosing by how I'm living my life?"

Only one life, twill soon be past
Only what's done for Christ shall last.

Ravinia and Fellowship

2006-07-31T09:25:00.000-06:00

This Friday and Saturday, I went and visited a former student at Maranatha who was my roommate about 3 1/2 years ago. We hadn't seen each other in about 3 years, though he has visited Maranatha a couple of times since deciding to go to college locally (Chicago-ish). We had a blast this weekend just hanging out, talking theology, music, ecumenicalism, as well as getting to see his heart and passion for the salvation of souls.

I also met his wife. They've been married for about 7 months now. I'm so glad to see all of my friends with good, godly wives. It was a joy to meet her, talk to her, find out about her life and how God has brought her to the place she is currently at, spiritually. She is very much perfect for my friend.

While there in Chicago, my friend's dad, through another family at his church, was able to procure tickets to go the Ravinia Music Festival, held nightly by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra throughout the summer. On our particular evening, the music presented was Shostakovich- Symphony No. 15 in A major and Tchaikovsky- Symphony No. 5 in E minor. This was the first time that I have had the opportunity to hear an orchestra of this caliber live (MBBC takes trips every semester to see the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, but I have always needed to work, instead).

Shostakovich's piece was not one which I was familiar with. It had some very complex meterical ideas in the last two movements. The thing that surprised me the most however was how tonal it was. I have heard and played other works by him and have had a hard time enjoying them, but this piece was readily enjoyable upon the first hearing of it. Like the previous two symphonies before it, Shostakovich is preparing musically for his impending death, due to failing health. However, unlike the other two symphonies, this one was less macrbre in sound (at least, according to my program notes as I have not listened to either of those symphonies...yet). It seems as though Shostakovich was more positively looking towards death in this symphony, based on my hearing of it. With quotes from William Tell Overture in the first movement and Tristan and Isolde in the fourth movement, it was quite a fascinating piece to hear.

As for the Tchaikovsky No. 5, hearing this piece brought back a host of memories from almost 2 years ago now when the MBBC Orchestra did the Night of Russia concert, featuring the works of Tchaikovsky, of which Symphony No. 5 was but a part. Most memories were pleasant, until the Chicago Symphony Orchestra started the third movement, of which I am still unable to play to this day. Though I wish we could have, the woodwinds were too exposed and I was too faulty in my playing of that movement for us to play it in our Night of Russia concert. Needless to say, I was wishing I currently had the ability to play it as the professional 1st chair bassoonist had. This next sentence is to my friends who play french horn: you would have much enjoyed the solo in the second movement. By all accounts, my ear claims it was played perfectly, if not near to it. The tone of the professional french horn player was someting that every french horn player at MBBC would be drooling over.

Saturday morning, I went to a prayer/ breakfast meeting with my friend, who is a member of the Gideon Bible Society. The prayer meeting and breakfast were both very encouraging. It was a spiritual blessing to talk with these men and to see their passion for lost souls and the need to get God's Word out to those who are stumbling in the darkness of this world. I have to admit some concerns about the more ecumenical nature of the Society, which I would be uncomfortable with if I was a member. On a personal level, however, these were good, godly men who I have no problem counting as my brothers in Christ. It was a blessing to pray with them and to talk with them about our Great God.

While out and about at Target on Saturday, we had the opportunity to pass out some Tracts/ Gospel of John booklets to the those at the registers taking our money. I'll be honest with you, given what I've seen here in Watertown as far as response to tracts, I didn't really expect much as I handed mine to the lady that took my money. We got to the registers, and I just went straight to the first line that seemed the shortest, and just as the lady was cashing out the order in front of me, I noticed another lady a line over who looked bored out of her mind. So, I went around to her line and had her ring up my order. As she took my signed receipt from my debit card, I asked her if she'd like something to read in her spare time, and she said sure. She took it, and no sooner was I by the exit doors waiting for my friends, and she was reading it. But, as she opened it, I noticed her bend down closer to the book and it appeared as though she was intensly reading what was before her as she opened the book to the page asking if she knew the meaning of her life (which then leads into a Gospel presentation). I went ahead and left with my friend's wife, as she checked out of her line next, and we walked to the car. When my friend came out five minutes later, he said that as he walked out of the store, she was still reading it. PRAISE THE LORD! I don't know if that woman accepted Christ or not, but we determined on the way home that something should be put in the back of the booklets so that someone could call his church after reading that literature. This would allow someone who's read it to get plugged in to a good godly church, should they receive Christ as Savior. If nothing else, maybe they'll visit the church after reading the material and receive Christ as Savior after hearing God's Word preached at church.

All in all, it was a very fun, enjoyable weekend. Spiritual blessings abounded both Friday and Saturday as we spent time together. Though I hate the fact that I lost out on a lot of money by not working this weekend, the eternal blessings I recieved were worth far more than what I lost out on monetarily. These memories will stick with me for the rest of my life. As a believer, I always enjoy hanging out with my friends far more than working in the world.

Once my friend's wife has the pictures developed and sent to me from her camera (I about kicked myself several times throughout the trip for not bringing my own), I will post a group picture of all of us at Ravinia.

Pastoral Finances

2006-07-26T10:22:00.000-06:00

I found this link through Sharper Iron today, but thought that perhaps some might have missed it. Though I can't agree with all of the theology that is presented in some of the comments, I can say that from a strictly financial standpoint of a pastor who is looking to deal with issues in his church, this might be sound advice.

Prayer and God's Sovereignty

2006-07-19T13:17:00.000-06:00

I was organizing a lot of things now that I've finally had some time to get everything moved around and have been able to settle into my new place of residence for the next couple of years until I finish school. While rummaging through my Bible materials storage box, I found amongst the files this quote. Thanks to Dr. Dave Saxon, who provided this quote by displaying it on the bulletin board just outside his office.

Prayer assumes the sovereignty of God. If God is not sovereign, we have no assurance that He is able to answer our prayers. Our prayers would become nothing more than wishes. But, while God's sovereignty, along with His wisdom and love, is the foundation of our trust in Him, prayer is the expression of that trust."
- Jerry Bridges, Trusting God

Team China 2

2006-07-15T23:33:00.000-06:00

For updates on all of the Team China efforts, click here. This website has a listing of all the various schools who are involved and various things to bear in mind as you think about the members of each team. To update what I stated previously, I didn't know that Piedmont Baptist Bible College also sent some students on this trip. It's wonderful to see what's happening through these trips.

Team China

2006-07-08T09:35:00.000-06:00

Just thought you should know to keep in mind those from the various Bible Colleges who are currently overseas with Team China. Keep them in mind as they teach students from all various ages, as well as for those specifically who have been called upon to teach in an area of China that has been closed to English language and culture until this point. May they be able to speak with confidence and boldness as they have all been asked to teach about our culture, our customs, our holidays, and our beliefs.

Sports Ministry 2

2006-07-07T09:41:00.000-06:00

Okay, just so you don't think I'm TOO biased to Maranatha, I thought it'd be a great idea to post the blog for the Northland Women's Soccer Team as they are now in Germany picking up where MBBC's women's team left off. Thanks to Oliver Meyer- Pastor of Freie Baptisten Gemeinde Erlangen- for providing this link. NBBC Women's Soccer Team blog

Also, in case you haven't been checking, Josh has provided TONS of updates and pictures. Read the blog and rejoice with the soccer teams over God's goodness through their ministry in Germany! Discipleship Through Athletics

Freedom of Forgiveness

2005-02-28T01:50:00.000-06:00

Was talking to a good friend tonight and was reminded of this sermon. I am reposting it here from Metamorpho 1.0 not only to make it easier to find, but to remind others of the fact that only God can remove our shame and guilt as we try to deal with sin. What follows is what I originally posted.

This chapel message I believe is very helpful. If there are any men (or women) reading this topic who perhaps have in some way lost their purity of heart, mind, or body, this sermon will be incredibly helpful in showing you the liberating power of what it means to be a Christian and how to begin to get out from the bondage of that sin.

Dr. Bob Loggans (Pastor Calvary Baptist Church, Watertown, WI; Professor of Pastoral Life and Ministry, Maranatha Baptist Bible College)

2/28/2005 Chapel @ Maranatha Baptist Bible College

1 John 1:8-10

Freedom of Forgiveness

I. Our Sinful Condition

If we deny our sinfulness, we deny the truths of God’s Word.
If we deny the consequences of our sin, we deny the truths of God’s Word.
Jesus is the revealer of our sinfulness.
When the truth is not in us, we are not empty, but rather we are full of everything which is NOT truth.

II. Our Specific Confession

We must admit, over our pride, that it’s wrong. We need to turn away and ask God to forgive us.
All sins must be confessed privately before God.
All sins must be confessed publicly as far as the knowledge of that sin goes.

III. Our Certain Consequences

Forgive = Literally “to remove” or “send away.”
God takes it away when we ask Him.
When God removes that sin, He removes it forever so that Satan has no power to bring that act back to haunt and disrupt the peace of the believer.

Application-

1) How’s your walk?

2)Are you sensitive to sin?

3) Do you seek the freedom only forgiveness brings?