11/16/08

Eat slowly, savor each morsel.



Speaking of salt and light, I ran across a couple of article's a few days ago that I found to be such exceptional reads dish's I just have to link serve them up here for your consumption.

One is from a place I frequent called "American Thinker", the fantastic special of the day was called: It's How You Play The Game.
It may well be that this recipe goes back a couple hundred years.

For a truly just dessert, I truthfully enjoyed the Perspective being served at an as yet unfamiliar, but tidy place called "Walking Together."

All in all, it was very good stuff!

11/7/08

Barack who?



Uhm, I think it's time to take our eyes off our own "problems" and watch this video:




Folks, America is just a tiny blip in the enormous picture that is the Kingdom of, and Gospel of, Christ. And AMEN to that.

God is SO good, and we are so spoiled, and wretched.

11/5/08

Frankly, we deserve it.


"My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate
with those who are given to change,
For their calamity will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?" - Pro 24:21


Well now, it's "official".
A nation that's become practically unrecognizable from its principled, Godly beginnings gets a president fit to lead it into further God-lessness. Welcome to Liberalhood Ex Officio.

I must say this: if there is one good thing about Barack Obama being elected president of the USA, it is that a racial divide has been well crossed, perhaps even (nearly) destroyed.

Alas, if only that were enough. Nothing; -NOTHING- justifies the murder of babies, nor ungodliness in any form

Are we a nation abandoned by God? One wonders.

It is at the behest of God's very fingertip, His very Word that each one of our wicked selves is allowed another breath. It is by His sovereign grace alone He keeps this whole world and it's inhabitants from imploding into judgement.

Frankly, we DO deserve it.

..but for God's great grace:

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
-2Pe 3:9

~

/edit: Ok, I've calmed down from the election-results enough for more Christ-centered thoughts, so with that in mind..

This is our chance, Christian's, to be salt and light in an ever darkening world.

Firstly, Barack Obama was created in God's image; second; no matter what, we must always honor and respect the office of the presidency, to do otherwise goes against biblical teaching. (
Rom 13) Also, as Christians we ought be praying for Barack -our President's- heart, that he be converted to Christ, (now wouldn't THAT be a "change"!) -and we need to pray for his family, and also all those who will be at his side making decisions that will affect this nation for years to come..(1Pet 13-17)..and so much more to pray for, but you get the point.

Ultimately it is God who places man into postions of leadership according to His own plans and purposes, and they have not always been "Godly" men, quite contrarily.

And really, lest we forget: It is Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Lord of Lords who is leading this world and the nations therein. It is by His stripes we were given Life; and it is to Him I pledge my allegiance.

* * *

9/4/08

Praising Palin for raising McCain


Actually I am Praising God for Senator McCain's choice pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. It seems this has raised the integrity bar (if there be one) for the liberally left quite a few notches. Finally, people with some real fortitude show up for the candidacy of highest office in our country.



















There is still plenty to learn about Sarah Palin, and her time in her offices as mayor and governor, but so far from what I have gathered and especially after her speech last night (!!) there is nothing about her not to love - she's one of us. I also like the significance of her upward pointing finger -albeit un-specified :)

And I didn't exactly know much about John McCain either, but after listening to Sen. Fred Thompson's eloquent speech, that was all I needed to hear. Evidence of integrity, the likes of which any thinking person ought want in a President, was cemented for me after hearing about Sen. McCain's extraordinary military service and most especially his POW experience. But it didn't end there, he went on to serve our country within its borders, even forsaking his own presidential election campaign to see to it that our troops would continue to be roundly supported whilst our congress was trying its best to do just the opposite, all under the impression of a proclaimed "lost war".

I guess when you're doing your job in congress there's not alot of time for touting/campaining. This is a man who has the best interests of this country and his fellow citizens at heart.

I remember awhile back early in the campaign feeling really down about our choices and about the prospect of having to 'deal' with "President Obama" and the liberal guck that would rain down on America as a result, and knowing that as Christians we would be called to respect him, or somesuch, as our President. What came to mind while thinking of all this stuff was what this country needs is another "David". Little did I expect to see one come along, let alone a type of "Deborah" in the picture as well! ;)

As far as I'm concerned this election was/is first and foremost about the babies, a no brainer for me there, and it seemed un-contestedly apparent that any pro-lifer candidate was also highly likely to have the backs of our troops and the security of this country in top priority.

Truth be told I was never really "worried" about the outcome of this election because I believe in the supreme sovereignty of God over all things, all peoples and all nations. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind about God's perfect will. I knowingly live my life under the protection of His great wing and under the Blood of His Son Jesus, the Great Almighty, Lord of all, King of Kings. So bring it on.
Yet, God is so good to us to give us this "sign" of hope..though our faith can be solid as rock it is easy to get a little 'down'. I think these two Great Americans are a sweet "sign and wonder" ;) No matter who becomes the next leader of our nation, everything is going to work out for the best according to His perfect will for those who love Him. I am so thankful, and grateful to God for this rest in Him.

There is a great read that popped up this am over at Pulpit Magazine called "Christians and Government" - it is the first part in a series that looks to be very good.
~
God bless you, and God bless America.

Grace & Peace~

(photo credit)

8/20/08

loose lips sink ships

stone lips speak loud



"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Col 4:6

..let our speech be gracious and seasoned (not doused) with salt..
Sometimes we need to check the cap of our salt shakers you know, to be sure they are screwed on tightly. heheh :)


Speaking of which, the 2008 National Desiring God Conference is just around the corner, and I can hardly wait for this time of fellowship and learning! Last year was my first conference, and it felt a little like what heaven might be like, walking amongst and fellowshipping with the breth's and sis's and glorifying our great God!


This years theme is called:


"The Power of Words and the Wonder of God"

Oh my yes.

Speaking of glorifying "our great God" check out this beautiful arrangement:




6/21/08

....that is dying to self.

Luke 9:23 - "And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."

1Cor 15:31 - "I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily."
(NASB)

What does Jesus, or Paul even mean with words such as "deny oneself"? -or- "die daily"? I could never fully grasp those concepts, until I read these words:


When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence....that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, silly extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus did....that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any clothing, any interrogation, any interruption by the will of God....that is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to defend your own beliefs, your own good works, or itch for commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown....that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit, and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in more desperate circumstances....that is dying to self.

When you receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, and can humbly submit inwardly, as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion, retaliation, self-sympathy, self-defense, self-vindication, self-justification, resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness in heart....that is dying to self!
(source)

Quite a tall order, yes, and one I fail miserably at on most all points. I think it describes well what it means to: "be holy for I am holy", (
1Pe 1:16) to be Christlike, I understand this is something the regenerate will be striving for to the glorious end.

My deepest, most profound joy is realized in overcoming such things to His glory.



~

1/24/08

well, have you??

Do you think you know what it really, truly means to follow Christ?

Have you considered the implications?
Have you counted the cost?

I'll tell ya what folks....this family has:



"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."
Gen 50:20