Remembering Delbert

My son, J-bird, was born December 27, 2007. It was the scariest most joyful experience of my life. When I reminisce about that day, my thoughts inevitable turn to Brother Delbert. He passed away from this life shortly before J-bird was born, and his funeral service was on the Sunday we came home from the hospital.

I only knew Delbert for a few years. He was a warm and charming man, and he always had a certain wit about him. Every Sunday he would greet me at the door of the church with a kind smile and a firm handshake. He would often ask me to help him collect the offering. During the time that I was the assistant teacher of the high school Sunday school class, we had an assignment to interview one of the elder members of the church. I was (providentially) assigned Delbert. I truly enjoyed learning about him and his fascinating life. He was born in 1919 grew up in Palacios, Texas. He was from a large family and his nickname was “bunny”. During WWII he served in the US Air Force. He had the arduous task of searching for and removing, by hand, German land mines. (Read more about his wartime experiences here.)

What I remember most about Bro. Delbert is the time I visited him in the hospital. He and his wife were there, and they were both in good spirits. We made small talk, and he asked about the goings on at church (he had missed several Sundays). I listened as he recalled memories and anecdotes from his past. When it was time for me to leave, I asked if I could pray for him. He refused. Instead, he prayed for me. So there in the hospital bed, Bro. Delbert passionately prayed for me and my wife. His Christ-like love and sincerity moved me to tears, as it still does now. I will always remember day.

In his memory, and for His glory,

DJ

Texas Our Texas

On December 29, 1845 (164 years ago), Texas officially became the 28th state of the United States of America. In celebration of this remarkable event in history, we will examine the testimony of a true Texas patriot, Sam Houston.

In his youth Houston moved with his family to a farm in rural Tennessee after the death of his father in 1807. A rebel in spirit, he ran away in his mid-teens and lived for nearly three years with the Cherokee Indians in eastern Tennessee, where he took the name Black Raven and learned the native language, skills, and customs. Houston thus developed a rapport with the Indians that was unique for his day.

In 1812 Houston reported to a training camp in Knoxville, Tennessee, and enlisted in the 7th Regiment of Infantry to fight the British in the War of 1812. By December of that year, he had risen from private to third lieutenant. At the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in March 1814, he was wounded in the thigh by a Creek arrow. His wound was bandaged, and he rejoined the fight. When Andrew Jackson called on volunteers to dislodge a group of Red Sticks from their breastworks (fortifications), Houston volunteered, but during the assault, he was struck by bullets in the shoulder and arm. He returned to Knoxville as a disabled veteran, but later took the army's offer of free surgery and convalesced in a New Orleans, Louisiana, hospital.[4] Houston became close to Jackson. In 1817 he was appointed sub-agent in managing the business relating to the removal of the Cherokees from East Tennessee to a reservation in what is now Arkansas, but he was offended at a rebuke from John C. Calhoun, then secretary of war, for appearing before him in Native American garments, as well as at an inquiry into charges affecting his official integrity, and he resigned in 1818.

He then returned to Nashville to practice law and from 1823 to 1827 served as a U.S. congressman. He was elected governor of Tennessee in 1827. After a brief unsuccessful marriage to Eliza Allen in 1829, he resigned his office; he again sought refuge among the Cherokee and was formally adopted into the tribe. His alleged drunkenness and abandonment of his office, and wife, caused a rift with his mentor Andrew Jackson, which would not be healed for several years.

In 1830 and again in 1832 he visited Washington to expose the frauds practiced upon the Cherokees by government agents.[5] While Houston was in Washington in April 1832, Anti-Jacksonian Congressman William Stanbery made accusations about Houston in a speech on the floor of Congress. Infuriated, Houston later confronted Stanbery on Pennsylvania Avenue and beat him with a hickory cane. Stanbery did manage to draw one of his pistols, place it at Houston's chest, and pull the trigger—the gun misfired.

On April 17 Congress ordered the arrest of Houston, who pleaded self-defense, and hired Francis Scott Key as his lawyer. Houston was found guilty, but thanks to high-placed friends he was only lightly reprimanded. Houston was found liable in civil court and was fined $500, but Houston did not pay it and left the country. This incident promoted his reputation as an unruly drunkard, womanizer, and brawler.

The publicity surrounding the trial resurrected Houston's unfavorable political reputation, and Houston made plans to go to Texas. His time in Texas was characterized by heavy drinking and boisterous behavior. Houston's arrival in Texas coincided with the heated contest between U.S. settlers and Mexicans for control of the area. He established a home there by 1833, and he quickly emerged as one of the settlers' main leaders. Houston attended the Convention of 1833 as representative for Nacogdoches, and also attended the Consultation of 1835. He was then made a Major General of the Texas Army in November 1835, then Commander-in-Chief in March 1836, at the convention which met at Washington-on-the-Brazos to declare Texan Independence.

On March 2, 1836, his 43rd birthday, Houston signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. He soon joined his volunteer army at Gonzales, but was shortly forced to retreat in the face of the superior forces of Mexican General (and dictator) Antonio López de Santa Anna, whose soldiers killed all those at The Alamo Mission at the conclusion of the Battle of the Alamo on March 6.

At the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, however, Houston surprised Santa Anna and the Mexican forces during their afternoon siesta. In less than 18 minutes, the battle was over. Badly beaten, Santa Anna was forced to sign the Treaty of Velasco, granting Texas independence.

Houston served two terms as President of the Republic of Texas, and he was influential in gaining the admission of Texas to the United States in 1845. Houston was elected one of the new state's first two senators, serving as a Union Democrat from 1846 to 1859. His views on the preservation of the union were unpopular with the Texas legislature, however, and on the eve of the Civil War he was not reelected—although he was chosen governor once more in 1859. In this position he tried unsuccessfully to prevent the secession of his state in 1861, and upon his refusal to swear allegiance to the Confederacy, he was declared deposed from office in March.

On May 9, 1840 , Houston married Margaret Moffette Lea, with whom he had eight children. This marriage was more successful and she had a very positive effect on Houston. Under her influence he gradually began to take interest in religion, and was able to quit drinking. In 1854, Houston, having earlier made a profession of Christian faith, was baptized by the Baptist minister, Rufus C. Burleson. At the time Burleson was the pastor of the Independence, Texas, Baptist Church which Houston and his wife attended.
He lived at home in Huntsville, Texas until he died of tuberculosis on July 26, 1863. The inscription on his tomb reads:
A Brave Soldier. A Fearless Statesman.
A Great Orator– A Pure Patriot.
A Faithful Friend, A Loyal Citizen.
A Devoted Husband and Father.
A Consistent Christian– An Honest Man.

Sam Houston was a remarkable man. A rebel and fighter in his early days, he also had the courage and leadership ability to begin his rise to power. But on his own, he was unable to hold his life together, and suffered a midlife crisis that would push him to Texas. There he was a decisive and intelligent leader and general, securing Texas’ independence and helping to stabilize the new country afterward. There, also, he’d find salvation and freedom from alcohol in Christianity. Houston has become a hero that looms large over the history of Texas.

Sources: Wikipedia, Hyperhistory.net, Biography.com

Christmas Traditions

Every family has its own traditions and customs for celebrating Christmas. I can vividly recall the institutions of my childhood. I remember adorning our house with numerous lights and decorations. It was always a joyful and extremely frustrating task (those of you who have experience with this understand). Our artificial tree was always erected in the living room window, decorated with red lights and a diverse assortment of mismatched ornaments. Our childhood excitement grew exponentially as the mountain of colorfully wrapped gifts gradually inundated the room. Christmas Eve was always spent at my maternal grandparents’ house where we enjoyed cheese dip, pigs-in-a-blanket with burnt bottoms, and sherbert punch.

The climax of my childhood celebration was Christmas Day. My sister and I would awake to find that Santa had visited the night before. My parents and my granddad would merrily watch as we ravaged the packaging of our presents. Later that day we had a family dinner which always included chicken and dumplins, a vat of dressing and, of coarse, buttermilk pies. After the inevitable impromptu nap for the patriarchs, the present opening maylay began. In the end, hundreds of dollars of toys, electronics, and socks lay scattered amongst the heaps of wrapping paper and boxes. It was a joyful time. Our celebration wasn’t entirely secular. We always attended church and we read the Christmas story in the Bible. Our faith was inseparably intermingled into our decorations and traditions.

As I now embark upon Christmas with my own young family, I am presented with the arduous task of beginning our own family traditions. My goal is to have a joyful celebration that we can happily anticipate. I want our traditions to be fun and meaningful. At the same time, I want to honor and glorify the Lord. After all, He is the entire basis for the holiday.

So how can we celebrate Christmas to God’s glory? Are the traditions of my youth contrary to this notion? I have heard many a sermon blasting those traditions as worldly and unchristian. And they are correct, for the most part. Christ is being systematically removed from Christmas. Commercialism and materialism have hijacked Christmas. The secular world’s treatment of this holiday is sinister and unrighteous, but not unexpected.

The problem comes when we (the Church) allow these distractions to distort our traditions of Christmas. As Christians, we are called to live righteous lives within our culture. Unlike the Jews of the OT, we are not called to be a distinct ethnic group. We are free to celebrate with American (or Mexican or German or Icelandic…) customs and traditions as long as those practices are done in faith and in accordance with Scripture.

The difficulty in this is that there are no clear cut, black and white Biblical commands concerning Christmas celebration. Christmas is not a sacrament or a precedent, it is a human ordained holiday. This does not insinuate that it is innately unrighteous or ungodly. It simply means that it is not spelled out in Scripture and must therefore be inferred from Biblical principals rather than simple proof texts. In other words, it requires moral reasoning based on scriptural criteria.

For example, decorations such as Christmas trees, lights, wreathes, bows, nativities, tinsel, and candles are neutral (nonmoral) in and of themselves. They are simply external expressions which have the potential for either praise or diversion. Similarly, gift giving can be a means to love others and esteem them as more important, or it can be conforming to the materialistic gluttony that is so ever present in our society. It comes down to a heart issue. Even the strictest legalist would not object to spending time with family and loved ones. Yet even this has no direct Biblical warrant (in regard to Christmas celebrations. In the end, the question of Christimas celebrations and traditions boils down to faith and personal conviction. It might be different for different families, and it may change over time.

With this in mind, there are two foundational Biblical principals in which I will use as a guide as I shape the traditions of my family.

1. Love the Lord God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and love my neighbor as myself.

2. Whether I eat chicken & dumplins or drink sherbert punch or decorate with lights or give gifts to my family or abstain from it all, I will do everything in faith and to the glory of God.

Merry Christmas,

DJ

The Weaker Vessel

WARNING: This post contains high levels of political incorrectness and may not be suitable for post-modernists, liberals, feminists, and egalitarians. Please direct all hate mail and terroristic threats to the comments meta.

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. – 1 Peter 3:7

This verse can be very controversial in our modern times. The post-modern mantra of tolerance and across-the-board equality is contradictory to the teaching of this scripture. If I were to proclaim that women are the weaker vessel in a crowded shopping mall or coffee house I would probably be pummeled with high heels and leather handbags. (This is why I have chosen the safety of anonymous internet blogging instead.)

Ladies, I know what you are thinking, but before you brand me as a male chauvinistic heretic, hear me out.

I don’t believe this verse is a testament to male superiority. I once thought that this scripture meant that women had less strength than men, but this does not seem the case. The last century has certainly given plenty of evidence that women can be as strong as men. There are physically strong women athletes, mentally strong female rocket scientists, and emotionally strong businesswomen. So strength is not the issue here, toughness is. In general, men are much tougher than women.

This is not an insult or criticism. God made men and women different. We have different roles, different characteristics, and different strengths. This is especially true in respect to the dynamics of the family.

Men are thick-skinned, cold as stone and as tough as iron. We are abrasive, callous, and hardened. We have a tendency to be harsh, curt and rational. We are the work horses, the providers and the protectors. Our role is to advance forward, taking the lead and shielding our wives from the blunt force trauma of our fallen world.

Women, on the other hand, are tender and delicate. They are expressive of their affections and aversions. They are the child bearers, the nurturers, and the cultivators of the home. They are charged with the duty of raising the next generation of men and women. They are our companion and our help-meet. They are fueled by their emotions, and driven by their sentiments. While the husband may lead, it is the wife who supports and enables. She is the media naranja. Women are precious and deserving of special honor.

In First Peter 3:7, Paul is not commending man’s superior strength. He is basically saying, “Hey you big oaf, love and honor your wife with tenderness and gentleness because she is delicate and precious.”

for His glory,

DJ

Habakkuk: Enbracing God's Sovereignty

Habakkuk
35th Book of the Bible
Author: Habakkuk
Meaning: “to embrace”
Date: about 600 B.C.

The book of Habakkuk is an interesting an enlightening study on God’s sovereignty. The book begins with the prophet questioning God as to why evil, violence, and wickedness are so prevalent.

O LORD, how long shall I cry for help,
and you will not hear?
Or cry to you "Violence!"
and you will not save?
Why do you make me see iniquity,
and why do you idly look at wrong?
Destruction and violence are before me;
strife and contention arise.
So the law is paralyzed,
and justice never goes forth.
For the wicked surround the righteous;
so justice goes forth perverted. (1:2-4)

God answers the prophet by saying that He is performing a “work in your days
that you would not believe if told.” (1:5). God says that He will raise up the Chaldeans (a.k.a. the Babylonians) to judge the wickedness and injustice in Israel. The Chaldeans were a “fierce and impetuous people” whose “justice and authority originate with themselves” (1:6-7). They are dreaded and feared because they come for violence, and will “heap up rubble” and “capture cities.” They will conquer the kingdoms, and unknowingly facilitate God’s judgment on the lands.

In response the prophet asks how a Holy God can establish such an evil, idolatrous people for His divine purposes.

You who are of purer eyes than to see evil
and cannot look at wrong,
why do you idly look at traitors
and remain silent when the wicked swallows up
the man more righteous than he? (1:13)

The Lord answers and tells Habakkuk to write down the vision, for the appointed time had not yet come. God assures the prophet, however, that the vision “hastens toward its goal, and will not fail” (2:3).

Behold, as for the proud one,
His soul is not right within him;
But the righteous will live by his faith. (2:4)

The proud Chaldeans put their trust in their own strength, but their soul is not right. This is the mark that distinguishes the wicked from the righteous. The righteous will be preserved through their faith in God. Though the wicked Chaldeans might seem strong and persevering in this life, they will soon be overcome with woes. They will be overwhelmed with violence and will be filled with disgrace rather than honor. God assured Habakkuk that He will also judge the Chaldeans for their transgressions as well. This presents a theological dilemma. Can God ordain these idolatrous, wicked men to enact His judgment and them hold them responsible for their actions? This is a glimpse into the inner workings of God’s govern will. Through His providence, the Almighty directs the ways of men.

The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps. (Prov. 16:9)

This does not, however, absolve the personal responsibility for their sin. Ultimately, the Chaldeans were held responsible for their transgressions. Just as God hardened Pharaoh’s hard heart, He used the Chaldeans thirst for blood, violence, and power for His purposes, including their ultimate demise.

The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Assuredly, he will not be unpunished. (Prov. 16:4-5)

God’s reply struck fear into the heart of Habakkuk (3:1). The prophet then pleads with God to remember mercy in the midst of His chastening. The prophet then begins a discourse outlining the awesome might and wonder of the Lord.

In indignation You marched through the earth;
In anger You trampled the nations.
You went forth for the salvation of Your people,
For the salvation of Your anointed
You struck the head of the house of the evil
To lay him open from thigh to neck. Selah. (3:12-13)

This reverent description of God painted Him as a mighty warrior whose hand is for justice and righteousness and opposing the wicked. Though the Chaldeans were fierce and dreadful, they were puny and insignificant compared to the Almighty God. His dominion is boundless and eternal. The prophet realized this and trusted in God and His sovereign will.

I heard and my inward parts trembled,
At the sound my lips quivered
Decay enters my bones,
And in my place I tremble
Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress,
For the people to arise who will invade us. (3:16)

Like Job, Habakkuk questioned God’s will. Job questioned God in the midst of sever suffering, and Habakkuk questioned Him in the shadow of impending disaster. Neither of them got a straightforward answer to their questions. Instead, they received something far more valuable. They received a revelation of God, His character, His eternal goodness, and His sovereignty. Habakkuk put his trust fully in God, and exults His great name. Though the fruit of the land and the temporal blessings of this life would soon be taken away and replaced with chastening, trials, and suffering, Habakkuk rejoiced in the God of salvation.

Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds' feet,
And makes me walk on my high places. (3:17-19)

for His glory,
DJ

Scipture of the Day

 ¹ The preparations of the heart belong to man,
      But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
       ² All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
      But the LORD weighs the spirits.
       ³ Commit your works to the LORD,
      And your thoughts will be established.
       ⁴ The LORD has made all for Himself,
      Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
       ⁵ Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
      Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
       ⁶ In mercy and truth
      Atonement is provided for iniquity;
      And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.
       ⁷ When a man’s ways please the LORD,
      He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
       ⁸ Better is a little with righteousness,
      Than vast revenues without justice.
       ⁹ A man’s heart plans his way,
      But the LORD directs his steps.
       (Proverbs 16:1-9, New King James Version)

Take Everything

Seventh Day Slumber’s newest album “Take Everything” is a hard-hitting yet heart felt worship album. “Take Everything” includes their interpretations of some well-known classic worship songs as well as some original material. SDS has created a musically mature and worshipful album while maintaining their dynamic rock sound. The album is characterized by rhythmic melodies, passionate vocals, and rock-your-face-off riffs. They have managed to find the elusive balance between worship and rock. I give it three thumbs up.

Track List:

1. How Great Is Our God (4:40)
2. Surrender (3:23)
3. Lead Me To The Cross (4:51)
4. Everlasting God (4:38)
5. Mighty To Save (4:01)
6. From The Inside Out (4:02)
7. I Can Only Imagine (3:59)
8. Take Everything (4:32)
9. Carry Me (4:06)
10. Famous One (4:26)
11. Nothing But The Blood (5:19)
12. Oceans From The Rain (4:29)

The Pathway To Peace

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.

I recently read the Serenity Prayer in its entirety for the first time. The line that caught my attention stated “Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.” Peace is of a high priority in my life. I have a deep desire for spiritual, emotional, and domestic peace. In Matthew chapter five, Jesus describes peacemakers as being identified as children of God. The corollary attributes of peacemakers include poorness of spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger for righteousness, mercy, and persecution. These attributes seem to be opposite of making peace. For me to live out these commandments will bring hardship and difficulties into my life, yet Christ promises blessings. Indeed the pathway to peace is marred with suffering and conflict.

Si vis pacem, para bellum

This Latin adage is loosely translated “If you wish for peace, then prepare for war.” While this may or may not hold true politically, it is my opinion that it is true spiritually. If I want spiritual peace, then I must be prepared to wage spiritual war. If I want domestic peace, or emotional peace, or nuptial peace, then I must be willing to fight for it.

This war does not consist of battles with mortal enemies. It does not employ WMDs or conventional armaments. This is a war of faith. The enemy: My flesh and the sin that dwells therein (Rom. 7:20). My weapons: The full armor of God (Eph. 6:11).

My sinful and selfish desires wage war on my soul (1Peter 2:11) and therefore deprives me of peace and serenity. I must fight my sinful flesh, beating my body into submission (1Cor. 9:27). Like an Olympic athlete, I must exhibit the mental, physical, and emotional self-control in all things, so that I may run the race as to win (1Cor. 9:24-26).

On my own and in my own strength this war is futile. Apart from God I am dead, a slave to iniquity. But thanks be to God that though I was a slave to sin, my old self was crucified with Christ so that my body of sin may be done away with, and I would no longer be a slave to sin (Rom. 6:17,6). Therefore I am dead to sin and alive to God (Rom. 6:11) and must not let sin continue to reign in my body. Through the power of the resurrected Christ I can live free from sin and the ensuing war of the flesh. Through Christ I can have peace. For I know that even when I am lured and enticed by my own desire (James 1:14), God has provided a way of escape (1Cor. 10:13). I desire righteous peace.

Thus I fight (1Cor. 9:26).

for His glory,
DJ

Back Again

After much prayer and thought, I have decided to continue blogging. Rebounding from a bleak and spiritually dark time, I now feel refreshed and renewed by God’s grace and loving kindness. I am truly grateful for the encouragement and exhortation from my brothers in Christ. My prayer is that the God of peace Himself sanctifies me entirely, so that my spirit, soul, and body may be complete and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who called me, and He will bring it to pass.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

for His glory,

DJ

Gospel Essentials: What Must I Do To Be Saved?

When I was in middle school, I was an officer in the Christian club at school. We had weekly meetings before school, guest speakers, hip worship music, and cool field trips. I remember one day a young girl came up to me and asked me a question similar to this, “How do I become a Christian?” As I stood there dumbfounded she asked me again, “I want to be a Christian like y’all. How do I do that?” I had never really thought about it before. I knew the all the Sunday school answers, like Just ask Jesus into your heart, and Call on the name of Jesus. But suddenly I realized I didn’t know the nuts and bolts of salvation. I made the naive mistake that many young Christians make: I just assumed everyone was saved.

So here I am twelve years later pondering the same question. What must one do to be saved? As I pose this question, I can already hear the objections from my Calvinist buddies. Yes, I realize that salvation is a divine work, and there is nothing that any man can do to earn it. However, we do play an active role in conversion.

The simplest and probably the most common answer would be “Believe in Jesus.” This answer seems to be straightforward. After all, don’t we Christians refer to ourselves as believers? Plus, the Bible supports this notion in the most well known verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” There it is in black and white (or sometimes red). This answer, however, deserves only partial credit.

Genuine belief in Christ is more than a simply acquaintance and acknowledgment of Jesus. My Muslim friends like to point out that they “believe” in Jesus too, though their Jesus is much different than ours. In fact, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and the Klu Klux Klan all believe in some form of Jesus, but that does not mean that they are truly saved. Even the demons believe in God (James 2:19). True belief requires more than dogmatically admitting the existence of Jesus.

Belief in the gospel message and in the person of Jesus Christ is the foundation of saving following Christ. The key is that you have to believe in the true Jesus. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. He is not a prophet, or a rabbi, or a good moral teacher. He is not Satan’s brother, or some demigod, or Michael the archangel. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Lamb who was slain to take away the sins of the world (Rev. 1:8, Rev. 5:6, John 1:29). He is Emmanuel, God in the flesh. Genuine belief acknowledges who Jesus is.

The next essential truth is what Jesus did. Jesus’ death on the cross was a ransom for our souls. Through His sacrifice we have been atoned from our transgressions. That’s not the end of the story, though. Jesus is not dead. He is not some petrified mummy in some Israeli tomb. He is alive, enthroned at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:32-33). Christ was resurrected from the dead to the glory of the Father so that we too may be resurrected to a newness of life and be united with Him (Rom. 6:4-5). Jesus died as an atonement for our sin, and conquered the grave through His resurrection.

So how did Jesus Himself respond to this question of salvation?

18And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 19And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" 21And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." 22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (Luke 18:18-22, ESV)

Jesus answered the rich young ruler by telling him to keep the commandments. Simple enough, right? The only problem is that this is an impossible task (Romans 3:23). For to break one small part of the law brings the guilt and condemnation of the entire law (James 2:10). Our own pride and self-deception might lead us to the same conclusion as the rich young ruler, but a true inspection of our heart and motives will reveal our true idols (like money and possessions). Jesus ended his commandment with the core of the answer…”Come, follow me.”

On top of the foundation of belief is built the framework of faith and trust. The essential truths of the gospel must be accepted and applied. One must trust in God’s eternal goodness and love. One must trust that Christ’s redemptive work is sufficient, and nothing can be added to it or taken away from it. One must trust in Jesus as the Son of God, and, therefore, the Lord of Lords. This trust implies submission, obedience, and reliance on Christ. Trust is calling on the name of Jesus, and confessing that He is Lord. Faith in Christ is the antithesis of self-reliance and self-sufficiency.

The rooftop built upon trust is repentance. Repentance is an understanding of God's mercy in Christ, and results in a hatred of sin. Repentance is the external expression of faith and belief. It involves a turning away from sin and selfishness, and turning toward Christ. It begins in the heart, the inner man, and then manifests itself in the external action of following Jesus. Repentance is a commitment to follow Christ in His holiness and righteousness.

So, what must I do to be saved?

Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the sinless Son of God, whose sacrificial death cleansed and pardoned me of all my sin. Trust Him as Lord, Master, and Savior, and turn from your former, sinful ways and come, follow Him.


9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:9-13)

for His glory,
DJ

The Wisdom of Calvin

In continuation of our Reformation celebration, I am posting some of my favorite quotes from one of the most influential theologians of this millennium, John Calvin.

Every one of us is, even from his mother's womb, a master craftsman of idols.

God preordained, for his own glory and the display of His attributes of mercy and justice, a part of the human race, without any merit of their own, to eternal salvation, and another part, in just punishment of their sin, to eternal damnation.

No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief.

I consider looseness with words no less of a defect than looseness of the bowels.

Is it faith to understand nothing, and merely submit your convictions implicitly to the Church?

Knowledge of the sciences is so much smoke apart from the heavenly science of Christ.

Man's mind is like a store of idolatry and superstition; so much so that if a man believes his own mind it is certain that he will forsake God and forge some idol in his own brain.

There is no work, however vile or sordid, that does not glisten before God.

There is no worse screen to block out the Spirit than confidence in our own intelligence.

Faith consists, not in ignorance, but in knowledge, and that, not only of God, but also of the divine will.

Happy Reformation Day!

On October 31, 1517, an Augustinian monk posted his critique of Catholicism on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany and helped bring about one of the most important events in church history. To commemorate the Protestant Reformation, I have gathered a list of quotes by my favorite reformer, Martin Luther. Happy Reformation Day.


I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.

Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.

Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying.

I am more afraid of my own heart than of the pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope, Self.

I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.

If I am not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there.

Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.

Pray, and let God worry.

The fewer the words, the better the prayer.

Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.

You should not believe your conscience and your feelings more than the word which the Lord who receives sinners preaches to you.

Tomorrow I plan to work, work, from early until late. In fact I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.

The less I pray, the harder it gets; the more I pray, the better it goes.

I never work better than when I am inspired by anger; when I am angry, I can write, pray, and preach well, for then my whole temperament is quickened, my understanding sharpened, and all mundane vexations and temptations depart.

Human reason is like a drunken man on horseback; set it up on one side, and it tumbles over on the other.

Peace if possible, truth at all costs.

for His glory,
DJ

This post intentionally left blank

I recently came across a page in a legal document that had a blank page except for one sentence in the very center. “This page intentionally left blank” the sentence read. I found it odd that the statement described the page as blank, even though the existence sentence itself makes it not blank.

This is an example of a self-refuting statement. The statement is invalid because it disproves itself. It is therefore meaningless. Another example is the statement, “I am lying.” Logically this statement contradicts itself in that it is false is whether speaker is indeed lying or whether he is telling the truth, thus negating the statement.

Many of these foolish statements can be found in the worldly philosophies and presuppositions encountered in our culture. I have therefore taken it upon myself to supplement some of these absurd and foolish statements.

1.This page intentionally left blank (except for this statement instructing the reader that this page is intentionally left blank).

2. There is no absolute truth (except, of course, this assertion that there is no absolute truth).

3. Truth is (absolutely) relative.

4. There are no moral truths, therefore no one can judge (this is my final judgment).

5. All truths are equally valid (as long as I agree with them).

6. Words don’t have meaning (except on MY blog).

7. No one can know anything about God (except for me, since I seem to know He’s unknowable).

8. Tolerate everything (except intolerance).

9. All paths and religions lead to the same place (except for Christianity which leads to Heaven instead of hell).

God's Will & Line Dancing

When I was in grade school, one common activity in physical education class was line dancing. For those of you who didn’t grow up in rural Texas, line dancing is a “choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows, all facing the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time.” This was a common occurrence during the Achy Breaky Heart era in American history. I know that it may be hard to believe, but I was not the most coordinated kid on the block. For whatever reason, I always seemed to miss a step at some point. I then spent the remainder of the song awkwardly trying to catch up and get back on the right step. I found that the key to successful line dancing was to never mess up, because one I did it was extremely difficult to get back on track. The chronological order of a line dance was such that each explicit dance move was connected to the previous on in a specific order. Miss one step and all of the following steps become out of sequence causing the whole dance to be wrong.

Many Christians erroneously view God’s will of direction as being similar to a line dance. The assumption is that god has specifically outlined each step in our lives. We must therefore try and figure out what He has ordained and follow that precise plan. For example, three major life changing decisions are what college to attend, what major to choose, and who to marry. The problem with this paradigm occurs when we miss God’s direction for one of these steps. I may mistakenly think I should go to A&M, but God may have planned for me to go to LU. This wrong choice leads me to choose the wrong major. And how can I meet the spouse that God has preordained for me if I am at A&M and she is at LU? The chain reaction continues and I miss God’s direction for my career, kids, location, church membership and so forth. I then spend the rest of my life jumping from one foot to the other trying to get back on the right step.

Fortunately God’s will doesn’t work this way.

God is a God of grace, forgiveness, and second (and third and fourth and fifth and…) chances. He does not have a hidden, mysterious plan that we must blindly follow with no guidance. He does not expect us to walk the tightrope of His will with a blindfold and no net. He does not expect us to wonder through the maze of life in a vain attempt to discover His unknown, particular will. I do believe that God has a game plan for us, missing one step along the way doesn’t necessarily derail the rest of your life. His will of direction is not independent of His sovereign decree. He himself knows our frame. He knows (knew) we will screw up. I am sure that He has accounted for that in His will.

In conclusion, life is not a line dance. If (when) we screw up and, for whatever reason, fall short of the bar concerning God’s will, don’t give up. Repent, and He will forgive you. Set your heart and mind fully on seeking and obeying His will and He will not forsake you.

for His glory,
DJ

Quote of the Day

The one indispensable requirement for producing godly, mature Christians is godly, mature Christians. – Kevin DeYoung

Imminent: The Sequal

COMMENT FROM PREVIOUS POST:

Irv said...

PRETRIB RAPTURE – HIDDEN FACTS !

How can the “rapture” be “imminent”? Acts 3:21 says that Jesus “must” stay in heaven (He is now there with the Father) “until the times of restitution of all things” which includes, says Scofield, “the restoration of the theocracy under David’s Son” which obviously can’t begin before or during Antichrist’s reign. Since Jesus must personally participate in the rapture, and since He can’t even leave heaven before the tribulation ends, the rapture therefore cannot take place before the end of the trib! Paul explains the “times and the seasons” (I Thess. 5:1) of the catching up (I Thess. 4:17) as the “day of the Lord” (5:2) (which FOLLOWS the posttrib sun/moon darkening – Matt. 24:29; Acts 2:20) WHEN “sudden destruction” (5:3) of the wicked occurs! (If the wicked are destroyed before or during the trib, who would be left alive to serve the Antichrist?) Paul also ties the change-into-immortality “rapture” (I Cor. 15:52) to the posttrib end of “death” (15:54)! (Will death be ended before or during the trib?) If anyone wonders how long pretrib rapturism has been taught, he or she can Google “Pretrib Rapture Diehards.” Many are unaware that before 1830 all Christians had always viewed I Thess. 4’s “catching up” as an integral part of the final second coming to earth. In 1830 it was stretched forward and turned into a separate coming of Christ. To further strengthen their novel view, which the mass of evangelical scholars rejected throughout the 1800s, pretrib teachers in the early 1900s began to stretch forward the “day of the Lord” (what Darby and Scofield never dared to do) and hook it up with their already-stretched-forward “rapture.” Many leading evangelical scholars still weren’t convinced of pretrib, so pretrib teachers then began teaching that the “falling away” of II Thess. 2:3 is really a pretrib rapture (the same as saying that the “rapture” in 2:3 must happen before the “rapture” ["gathering"] in 2:1 can happen – the height of desperation!). Other Google articles throwing light on long-covered-up facts about the 178-year-old pretrib rapture view include “Famous Rapture Watchers,” “X-Raying Margaret,” “Revisers of Pretrib Rapture History,” “Thomas Ice (Bloopers),” “Wily Jeffrey,” “The Rapture Index (Mad Theology),” “America’s Pretrib Rapture Traffickers,” “Roots of (Warlike) Christian Zionism,” “Scholars Weigh My Research,” “Pretrib Hypocrisy,” “Pretrib Rapture Desperados” and “Deceiving and Being Deceived” – all by the author of the bestselling book “The Rapture Plot” which is available at Armageddon Books online. Just my two cents’ worth.

MY RESPONSE

Irv, thanks for commenting. I always appreciate feedback, as I am by no means an expert on the subject. I agree that one of the main weaknesses of the pretrib rapture is its relative newness. As Phil Johnson says, if its new then it probably isn’t true. There are several weaknesses with the doctrine of the pretrib rapture. Imminence, however, is not one of them. (Also please note that imminence is not nessisarily equivalent to pretrib).

Your arguments, while informed and logical, seem to be based on a specific ordering of eschatological events. The precise order, timing, and fulfillment of these events are based on interpretive assumptions. They are Biblically referenced and logical assumptions, but they are none the less uncertain. These issues are simply not clear-cut and precise. Therefore we must be diligently careful in our hermeneutic and interpretation. We must weigh these prophetic passages with the passages which speak of Christ’s return as being sudden and surprising.

It is also worthwhile to look at the intent of the end time prophecies. For example, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians so that they would not be shaken or alarmed if someone says the Lord has already returned. Paul was reassuring them that Christ hasn’t already returned, not that He can’t return. Similarly, the prophecies in Matt. 24 were given to ensure that Believers are not led astray by false teachers and false messiahs.

Nowhere in scripture are we instructed to be watchful for the tribulation, or the antichrist, or any of the other prophetic events. Instead we are commanded to be ready, watchful, and eager for Christ. The emphasis of the NT is on Christ and His return, not the preceding (and following) signs.

Nowhere in Scripture are we instructed to be indifferent and unprepared because Christ cannot yet return. On the contrary, the Bible warns believers to be ready, to be prepared, and to watch because Christ shall return suddenly, like a thief in the night. The judge is standing at the door. Therefore we are to be ready like the five wise virgins who were prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom. We are to be like the faithful servant, working diligently until the return of our master.

It is prideful to say that Christ is prohibited from returning until certain events and signs first take place. It is presumptuous to assume and insist that we have total understanding of this complex and unclear doctrine. The truth is there are lots of unkowns and lots of variables. The Jews missed Christ first coming because they were too caught up in their own theological systems. We should humbly and joyfully await the sudden, unexpected, surprising, unknown, unaware, and imminent return of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Fred "Paw Paw" Himmelreich

Born: Oct. 17, 1920
Died: July 17, 2009








Matthaeus 5:2-10
²Und er tat seinen Mund auf, lehrte sie und sprach: ³Selig sind, die da geistlich arm sind; denn das Himmelreich ist ihr. ⁴Selig sind, die da Leid tragen; denn sie sollen getröstet werden. ⁵Selig sind die Sanftmütigen; denn sie werden das Erdreich besitzen. ⁶Selig sind, die da hungert und dürstet nach der Gerechtigkeit; denn sie sollen satt werden. ⁷Selig sind die Barmherzigen; denn sie werden Barmherzigkeit erlangen. ⁸Selig sind, die reines Herzens sind; denn sie werden Gott schauen. ⁹Selig sind die Friedfertigen; denn sie werden Gottes Kinder heißen. ¹⁰Selig sind, die um Gerechtigkeit willen verfolgt werden; denn das Himmelreich ist ihr.

(Matthaeus 5:2-10, Luther Bibel 1545)


Matthew 5:2-10
² Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
³ “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:2-10, New King James Version)



If you happened to be reading this passage in a German Bible, you would notice the word "Himmelreich." Himmel means Heavenly and Reich means government or Kingdom. Therefore, a good translation of Himmelreight is "Kingdom of Heaven". In this scripture, Jesus was defining the attributes associated to those who belong to the Kingdom.

During his life, Paw Paw exemplified all of these attributes. His unwavering faith and commitment was a testimony and an encouragemet to me and to others. Paw Paw labored and toiled his entire life, laying up for himself treasures in Heaven. Humbly, he served the Lord, the church, and his family. He had found the pearl of great price, the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ. And I know that Paw Paw is now with the Lord, in Himmelreich.

*************************************
Fred Himmelreich
Fred Herbert Himmelreich, 88, of Silsbee passed away Friday, July 17, 2009 at his residence. He was born Octob
er 17, 1920 in Dayton, Tx to Bruno Paul and Ella Marie Himmelreich. He married Edna Murphy on December 23, 1939.
World War II carried him to land on Omaha Beach in Normandy. His battles and campaigns included the Battle of the Bulge, Northern France, Ardiannes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded 4 bronze stars, 3 overseas service bars and numerous other medals and awards which he only recently received. After returning from the war he worked in the construction of what is now called Highway 92. He then began his 42-year career in the oil industry and retired from Arco in 1984.
Fred was one of the few remaining charter members of the First Assembly of God Church in Silsbee. He served as a deacon and was the Secretary/Treasurer for 32 years. He loved hunting, fishing, and growing vegetables in his garden. He was always working and stayed busy up until the moment he died. He never failed to read his Bible daily, and he never ate a meal without blessing his food.
He also enjoyed attending the annual Veteran’s Programs at the high school, which brought him together with his military buddies and some of his high school classmates. He was a Silsbee High School Alumni from the class of 1938. He was best remembered in his younger years as the “Golden Toe” and the “Toe That Defeated Jasper”. It was during a football game between the Silsbee Tigers and the Jasper Bulldogs in November 1937 where he gained his fame. In the last minute and a half of the game Silsbee recovered a fumble and ran back for a touchdown. The score was tied. Fred Himmelreich, the kicker for the Tigers, kicked the extra point to put the Tigers into the lead 7-6, giving them the victory. This started the on going bitter rivalry between the two teams. The Interscholastic League did not let the two teams play each other for the next 10 years.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Edna; three daughters, Linda Gilbert and husband Gary of Panama City, FL, Becky Gilbert and husband Denny of Silsbee, and Peggy Jones and husband Wendell of Silsbee; grandchildren, Kim Cox-West, Kristina Fowler, Devin Jones, and Jacey-Kay Jones; great-grandchildren, Coley Cox, Brenton Cox, Jessica Cox, Adrian West, Bobby Brogdon and Jadon Jones.

First Love

¹ “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: ² “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; ³ and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. ⁴ Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. ⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. ⁶ But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
⁷ “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’ (Revelation 2:1-7, New King James Version)

This passage is Christ’s message to the church in Ephesus, one of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation 2. Jesus commends them for their faithful fight against false teachers and false doctrines. He praises their effort, labor, and patience in hard times. However, he reprimanded them for their lack of love. They had fallen away from their first love, the Lord Jesus Christ. They had right doctrine. They were hard working. They were patient and persevering in trials and suffering. What they lacked was a love and passion for the Lord. Their ardent struggle for right doctrine and truth led them to forsake their initial love for Christ. Sound theology without love is fruitless.

Christ commanded the Ephesians to repent and to return to the life characterized by a fervent love for Christ and (subsequently) for others. They were to remember and continue in the overwhelming love they experienced in the beginning at their conversion. Jesus promised eternal life with Him in paradise for those who repent.

I sometimes fall into the paradigm of the Ephesians church. I have a similar tendency to leave my first love. I do not want to be a loveless intellectual, or merely a scholar, or teacher of the law, or Pharisee. I must be careful not to betray the truth in my effort to serve God. Love is a necessary component in the life of a follower of Christ. Without love, I am nothing.

¹ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
(1 Corinthians 13:1-3, New King James Version)

This post is my repentance; a reminder to myself not to get so caught of in the things of God that I neglect the person of God.

Truth and love.

for His glory,

DJ