some reflections...

...after attending the first Saturday men's connection - topic: sexual sin/purity.

If it's only by grace that a man can be pure, why focus on things we can do? Why not dwell on how to allow God to reign his grace in our hearts? All else is fleeting legalism, that is if it's only by grace.

The advice to "run to God" during temptation is irrelevant advice to some who is blinded by sin.

On the edge of a knife cutting my feet;
to remain, bloody soles endure,
or fall, soul lost for sure.

(inspired after hearing the phrase "on the edge of a knife")

Seven sure ways to fight sexual sin:

1. revel your sin to God and others
2. repent of your sin
3. renew your commitment to Jesus
4. replenish your walk with Jesus
5. request help from the Jesus and others
6. refrain from situations that allow sin to creep in
7. rejoice in Jesus

If we could do all these steps no one would sin...then how is it that it's all by grace?

I was reminded on how "instant gratification" is somewhat like a plague to those of us in the west (even thought I hate talking like that, I mean about generalizing about those of us in the west). I need to remember that though I could have instant victory from sin right now (and oh how I pray for that), I need to be ready to battle it out for 2 years, 20 years, or til I die. I should not loose heart in battling sin because I don't receive instant, complete victory, but keep on fighting. Jesus fought the temptation to the point of sweating blood...have I ever fought that hard? Am I willing to fight that hard for the rest of my life...? I need help if I am to do that. Praise God he gave us Jesus, his Spirit, and the church. With out these, we would be toast.

Cry out to God because he's the only one that can change your heart.

It is only by grace that any of us don't sin. So...what does that mean practically? Especially when we do sin? For the believer?

It's very confusing to talk about sin in this manner when you're a Calvinist.

I have yet to attend a seminar on sexual purity that is actually helpful or gets at the heart of the matter and focuses on that. What the hell is the heart of the matter anyways? And why don't we talk about this subject all the time if it's so pervasive??? Especially in the church???

Suffering

As I spend time reading the new testament concerning suffering, it seems to me that it is in fact a central concept. I have heard mentioned a few times in the past few weeks at small group that BBC focus on suffering, while other churches focus on etc, etc, etc...

This morning I realized perhaps what is going on. The new testament talks about it in a way that's like this, "and after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you!" This is encouraging right?! At BBC it seems to be more like this, "you're going to suffer if you're a Christian, this life isn't easy, deal with it!" Not really encouraging to me.

(I'm making a point here so I'm being drastic about it...)

But I think the real difference is that the NT talks about it in a way that focus more on the end result of the suffering, namely your reward in heaven, and BBC talks about it in a way that mainly combats the American, fluffy, desire to be happy and have everything handed to us on a platter, complaining spirit (which I'm never guilty of). I don't thing BBC has a wrong view, I think they're probably just trying to not foster a "lazy" spirit.

What do you think? I think I'm on to something here. Realizing this will help me hear it now and deal with it more healthily.

Man = ?

Emily and I had a good discussion after church today. It was spawned by hearing the words "man" and "sin" used many, many times together frequently.

Is "man" synonymous with "sin"?

Emily and I came to the conclusion, "not entirely", but it is sure talked about that way a lot. It is incomplete to stop at man = sin, because man equals at least one more thing that is very, very important, namely, created in the image of God.

Is it fair to say, "apart from God all we can do is sin."?

It says at the end of Romans 14 that "whatever does not come from faith is sin." True for both the believer and non-believer.

Here's the progression I have trouble with.

1. A non-believer performs an act of service (like helping save someone's life at a car accident scene).
2. It's a sin because it does not proceed from faith.
3. Sin deserves punishment.
4. A non-believer doesn't have a propitiator.
5. Therefore the non-believer suffers more of God's wrath in hell because the performed an act of service.
6. It would have been the same for the non-believer if he had just sat there and watched the person die, even though he could have helped.

I don't know about this, it's troubling to me, and perhaps I thinking about things all wrong.

Emily and I came to the conclusion that for the non-believer, an act of service toward someone else out of a "genuine" heart isn't a wrath-heaping act, though it doesn't achieve the ultimate purpose of glorifying God. Our rational for this is that, the non-believer is created in God's image, and when performing acts of service is doing what he or she is created to do, and that shouldn't be something that produces for them more wrath.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. I know there really isn't such a thing as "neutrality" in Christendom, but I'm a little confused on this one.

Let me sum up my thoughts with these statements:

1. When the believer serves it blesses God and people.
2. When the believer sins and repents, the wrath is absorbed through Jesus' atonement.
3. When the non-believer serves it blesses people, but not God.
4. When the non-believer sins and they don't repent (ie, get saved), they incur wrath for their sin.

word association

What's the first word (or concept) that comes to your mind when you hear the word:

"people"

"man"

"men"

"humans"

Be honest, I'm curious.

Stinkin English (Language)!

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Ez 36: 26-27

"My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Ex 33:14

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt 11:28

"Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." Rev 2:10

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever..." John 14:16

"Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." 2 Tim 2:7

"...and he will give you the desires of your heart." Ps 37: 4b

So, do you think the Psalm 37 reference should be taken literally like the above texts, or do you think they should have translated it "fulfill"?

How have you always understood this text? This text has always confused me. I hear people reference it like it means he will "fulfill" the desires you have, but it reads like he will "put the desires in you."

It seems recently that I'm really baffled by the word choices they use in Bible translations. I suppose they just want to be consistent and translate a word the same every time it's used.

Someone should make a translation for white, middle class, 30 year-olds who were raised in a rural setting but now live in the metro as a carpenter.

Thoughts?

ministry opportunity

I was asked by Dan Holst last Sunday to be a part of the leadership for this summer's Wednesday night park ministry, specifically leading worship.  I originally had in mind leading with just Emily (which I still want to do), but I also had the idea of having our small group lead worship.  What do you think of that?

I thought we could all participate in some way with all the gifts present.  We have keyboards, guitars, vocals, what else would we need?  I think it would be a great way our small group could do some ministry together!

Would love to hear your thoughts.

upcoming things

We need to get some dates on the calendar for our climbing day and other things.  I would like to do a guys backpacking trip this summer.  I was thinking the guys could hike the Superior hiking trail whilst the ladies stayed at Nana and Papa's.

luke 9:23-27

What do you think Jesus means when he says, "...there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Kingdom of God."

marriage retreat

What was one of your highlights from the marriage retreat?