“This is the main difference between the Gospel and philosophy. Although the philosophers speak on the subject of morals splendidly and with praiseworthy ability, yet all the embellishment which shines forth in their precepts is nothing more than a beautiful superstructure without a foundation, for by omitting principles, they propound a mutilated doctrine, like a body without a head.” Paul [in Romans 12:1-2] lays down the principle from which all the parts of holiness flow.” John Calvin
Christianity, Tuesday, January 17, 2006
I?ve been reading a devotion written by Charles Spurgeon called ?Morning and Evening: Daily readings.? Spurgeon is one of the more famous preachers in Christian history. His writings are filled with passion and rich in lessons. His January 17th, morning entry is on Revelation 14:1.
? Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion? (Revelation 14:1, NIV)
Spurgeon writes:
?Heaven and Christ are the same thing;? to be with Christ is to be in heaven, and to be in heaven is to be with Christ ... ?O my Lord Jesus Christ, if I could be in heaven without thee, it would be a hell; and if I could be in hell, and have thee still, it would be a heaven to me, for thou art all the heaven I want.? It is true, is it not, Christian? Does not thy soul say so?
Spurgeon, C. H. (1995). Morning and evening : Daily readings (January 17 AM). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
So often I contemplate heaven and I think about the problems that will go away. Asthma, allergies, back aches, or frustrations of life will be a thing of the past. I think about how beautiful a place it would be without pollution, traffic, death, or war. I think about how much more perfect my love will be. I will not think or feel any unrighteous thoughts. I will no longer need to seek spiritual growth because I will be perfected.
Perhaps all that is true, but what a thought from Spurgeon?s Daily readings; ?To be with Christ, is to be in heaven!? How great is our Lord that he is the crown jewel of heaven. I feel a little selfish now that I reflect on my own thoughts about heaven. It?s not just a place of ultimate comfort and peace. It is a glorious place to be with our Lord and Savior. It is a place that is illuminated by Christ himself.
?The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.? (Revelation 21:23, NIV)
News, Thursday, January 12, 2006
The government is now recommending that the public stock up on the basics in case of a pandemic!
WebMD posted the article Flu Pandemic Guide: Stock Up on Basics citing that the federal government is recommending this action. The article goes into some detail about what to stock up on. It also discusses the notice from the federal government. There are some critics to this notice.
UPDATE: I checked on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website and also check on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). I found that what was really released was a preparedness document to help families prepare in the even of a pandemic. This is one of a number of actions that government has been doing in light of the fact that we aren’t really prepared. Click here for the HHS Press Release
You can download the Pandemic Preparedness document and the Family Info document from here. If you click directly on the link, it will open in your browser. You can also right click the link and “Save Target As…” to your computer.
PandemicPreparedness.pdf
FamilyInfo.pdf
Are you going to stock up?
Discuss this in our forums
Christianity, Wednesday, January 11, 2006
” Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” (James 1:2, NIV)
What a wacky statement this seems at first glance. It almost seems neurotic to be joyful in the face of trials. If I lost my job, the last thing I would feel is joy. Somehow, James is telling us to consider our trials with joy.
When I experience trials, I often treat the situation as if I was struck with misfortune. I often misplace things around the house. I feel like a man with a horrible curse. I’m sentenced to search for my lost items for life. Is this the right attitude?
“because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:3-6, NIV)
James is telling us that these trials are for a purpose. It’s not simply bad luck, or misfortune. God has brought these trials so that we may be more mature and complete. I make the mistake of not attempting to defeat the trial. I ignore the trial altogether and consider myself a victim of the consequences. I’m simply someone who has to suffer.
God’s trials are meant to be defeated. William Barclay wrote:
“When Israel came into the Promised Land, God did not remove the people who were already there. He left them so that Israel might be tested in the struggle against them (Judges 2:22; 3:1, 4). The experiences in Israel were tests which went to the making of the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 4:34; 7:19).”
The trials that God gives us are not meant for us to be defeated. They are meant for us to soar and becomes stronger. Like the athlete who lifts weights to become stronger, we lift the weights of our trials to become stronger. As we become stronger, the small trials are more easily defeated and we become more mature.
Christianity, Monday, January 09, 2006
“Book of Daniel” aired Friday night. At first I found the synopsys of this show offensive.
Here’s a little intro from the American Family Association (AFA).
NBC is promoting “The Book of Daniel” as a serious drama about Christian people and the Christian faith. The main character is Daniel Webster, a drug-addicted Episcopal priest whose wife depends heavily on her mid-day martinis.
Webster regularly sees and talks with a very unconventional white-robed, bearded Jesus. The Webster family is rounded out by a 23-year-old homosexual Republican son, a 16-year-old daughter who is a drug dealer, and a 16-year-old adopted son who is having sex with the bishop’s daughter. At the office, his lesbian secretary is sleeping with his sister-in-law.
NBC and the mainstream media call it “edgy,” “challenging” and “courageous.” The series is written by Jack Kenny, a practicing homosexual who describes himself as being “in Catholic recovery,” and is interested in Buddhist teachings about reincarnation and isn’t sure exactly how he defines God and/or Jesus. “I don’t necessarily know that all the myth surrounding him (Jesus) is true,” he said.
NBC considers The Book of Daniel a positive portrayal of Christ and Christians.
Jenn and I tried to watch this show. But let’s put the offensive parts aside. This show is just horrible by any standard. The characters were just a mess and unlike the show “Married with Children” it wasn’t even funny. At least sitcoms have the formula of creating disfunctional characters that make you laugh. This show has plenty of disfunction, but it’s just a pain to watch. We couldn’t survive 45 minutes of the 2 hour premiere.
The reviews around the country are coming in. Try doing a google search on “Book of Daniel Review”. You’ll see a lot of criticism of this show. It’s just a bad show altogether. I don’t think Christians have anything to worry about. I don’t see how anyone can love this show. It’s a big waste of time. If there are people watching show, I think they must be a glutten for punishment. This show is nothing but punishment to it’s viewers.
Family, Sunday, December 25, 2005
Dear Friends and Family,
We had a wonderful year in sunny California. We were blessed with Matthew in May. He is now 7 months old and experiencing his first Christmas. You can bet he?s getting plenty of gifts his first year.
San Jose is a super busy place during the holidays. Although we have three large malls in San Jose, the traffic for our Valley Fair mall started a quarter mile before the freeway exit! Thankfully, we had a secret back route. We finished our shopping and can breathe a sigh of relief.
Jenn and I have been working in the junior high ministry at Church on the Hill. We are having lots of fun while serving a wonderful God who is the supreme giver of gifts. So let?s not forget the real reason for the season. Celebrate that little baby Jesus born in Bethlehem.
?She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.?? (Matthew 1:21, NIV)
Have a Merry Christmas,
Happy Birthday to Jesus,
and Have a Happy New Year!
