God and Politics #2: The Law and The Cross

This is the second post of a four part series on God and politics. Ok, ok so it took me longer to get this out than I thought. But I have almost edited this thing to death trying to get it right. (And probably still is not enough)

Last time it seemed like I had a problem. So you ask, "What's the big deal Alan" Here is my problem with the political idea of God put forth by the average Republican. It’s incomplete. Why is this? Their version of God has to cover Catholics, Mormons, Jews, and Protestants. All have differing ways on how they try to get to God. You try fitting one version of the cross in that mix. I sure can’t. Sure, Jesus exists in the GOP version of God, but the Cross is a very vague and muddied, if not a distorted picture. And when their politics determines your view of God you wind up with…. Ta..da! A very vague and muddied, if not a distorted picture of the Cross. (As if you didn't see that one coming.) How do I know this? I have listened to enough talk radio to last me a life time.

This idea put forth of God and left unchecked and taken at face value, leads to moralism. You see, there is little to no idea of Grace there is only the Law. The Law says: You should do this and this, and your life and society will be fine. But what it fails to account for is when we fail. It may pay lip service to Grace, sure, but this ideal of God and the Law put forth knows nothing of the true concept. Why? Because the highest ideal of Republican God is the Ten Commandments, not the cross of Christ. The Law was designed to point to Christ not to be the end means that so many have made it. Sure you follow them perfectly and you will have a wonderful life. Break them, your messed up pal. So who can keep them all? But this part is skipped over. The Law of God is left there all by its self. So left to that it leads to two things: legalism and self-righteousness. And that my friends, is a dangerous place to be. I think Jesus had a lot to say about that.

Next time we will look at how Jesus himself treated politics.

God and Politics #1: Good and Moral God, Good and Moral Alan

This is the first of four bite sized post on God and Politics. Look for them to come out in fairly rapid succession. ( I know its weird I am blogging again)

I guess no one wants to interact here so I'll just stick with my ideas. (They are obviously far superior to yours). So lets just get down to the nitty griddy. Eh? This quote got me to a thinking?

We're willing to call Hugh Hewitt and Michelle Malkin and Scrappleface "GodBloggers", but on the flip side those kinds of "GodBloggers" are completely unwilling to link to (for example) aomin.org or TeamPyro. Their reasons are, well, their own, but the bottom line is that they want to be affiliated with the political idea of God and not the actual person of God because frankly, somebody might get hurt.

Just as an aside, I am not terribly familiar with the guys that Centuri0n, here was mentioning, I don't wish to question these guys salvation. I don't even read their stuff. But what I am familiar with is what he is trying to say about God being a political concept. The God of politics ( i.e. The Republican Party), is a pretty good guy. He is very black and white, so is the God of the Bible. He is against homo-sexual marriage, so is the God of the Bible. I could probably think of more, but I'll spare you the long repetitive prose of it. The point is these guys are right about some things that God is for.

I personally, have fallen into the idea of God being strictly a political idea. The idea that I was moral because of the party I voted for (or did not vote for) and my politics were my righteousness. Politics (and the God of politics) was my end all be all. Instead of God being the end all be all, my view of God was just one more thing to tack on to my idea of my own righteousness. This is one of the "good" things I held on to when I was lost. So I let my politics define my God instead of my Bible.

Next post we will look at the problem with this view God is.

Baptist?

I'm going to need a little audience participation for this one. So here is my question. What are the bare essentials for some one being classified a baptist?

Vices

I know this is weird but i am posting all in one day.(the last one has actually been sitting in my drafts for a at least two or three weeks so technically. They were not written in one day.)

But lately this is what I have been thinking about. Dude, why do I so often put on a show like I have every thing together? Honest answer my pride. I am think of how often in my pride I have put my self above "sinners", like I know nothing about sin. Truth be told I have to often treated sin like its "out there"(world), instead of "in here" (my own wicked heart). Christ said "It was not that which goes in to a man that is defiling. But that which comes out of a man that defiles him" to put it in my best paraphrase.

How often do I fake fruit? I know I as one who is doing youth ministry I can act so often that it is a rare thing for me to sin.(cause Alan is "above such childish things like sin") When truth be told I am the biggest sinner I know. Seriously, not hyperbole. This CD by Dead Poetic (Warning! fundie types, this is not your type of music) has really hit home to me. The song that really puts the lens on how to interpret the CD comes from the last(and the title) track. Vices




"Feeling cold, feeling empty. Set the stage, where you want me. ....
And the audience stands with their eyes fixed on the preconceived version of me.
I'm so betrayed by your hopes, but I will not hide myself for your peace of mind.

Oh, but Child. I've got Vices like any other man.....

Oh, but Mother.(Lover used next verse) I've got Vices like any other man.
Vices that you're not used to. Vices that'll make you think less of me.

Feeling cold, feeling empty. I am low, unworthy.
Bleed the God. Bleed the blessing. Like a vulture feasting.
I'll exist as if I don't feel conviction of my ignorance to my perfect prison.
But I feel the stabs on my wrists and ankles every time I try...

To forget you. To forget you.

Oh, but Jesus. I've got Vices like any other man.
Vices that you're so used to. Vices that won't make you think less of me."

But there is grace. I think there is great comfort and peace in this song, as chaotic as and dark as the song (and album) can be. It ends the song, It ends the album on the right note. Grace and Hope.

God does give me victory over sin, increasingly so (although it to often times is 2 steps forward 1 step back). Praise God! May I continually lean upon the grace of God. For with out it I continue to be the same wrench, if not a worse one than the day before.

So here is the question end with. How is there victory with nothing to conquer? How will others know about the Grace of God, if there is no sin for Grace to cover? For we can not have one with out the other in our lives. Let us not just puke on one another but let us encourage others with Grace. Let us not continue to spread the lie that Christians are perfect. We must show the world the process of salvation in sanctification.

The Joy of Learning.

I love my church. It challenges me. It shows me my sin. It humbles me. It teaches me. It shows me the grace of God. It shows me what true wisdom is. It lets me know more clearly who Christ is.
It allows me to serve the body of Christ. But most of all it has shown me the value of displine.
As one who wants to be a pastor one day, and as one who observes and hangs around such types all the time, I am learning that I have some sanctification to go though. This has been such a blessing seeing the fruits of Godliness in my life that have come from other either directly challenging me or me observing something that challenges me.

Observations
- Its not a sin to get up early, matter of fact its a great idea to.
- I need to develop a life style of displine NOW not 2 months from now not two weeks from now, but now.
- develop a discipline to reading.
- develop disciplines and consistency on how I study for lessons I give to the middle school.
- Learn from observing others Preach.
- listen to preaching often and never waste a moment for growth.
- Learn to serve when you can, and physically serving is not beneath me.
- Always look for ways to improve your homiletics, exigeisis, exposition, and interpretation.
- MEDITATE on the Word.
- Memorize scripture (a practice i still need to get in)
- Find ways to cultivate a heart for the Word.
- Be willing to show your commitment to serve before even touching the pulpit.
- Be willing to serve no matter what your "real" gifts are.(if you need clarification on this one i am more than willing to oblige)
- Be accountable to others on the way you live your life.
- Always evaluate how you did with your teaching. (never waste an opurtunity to learn)
- Always have some one you can trust to give honest feed back on the teaching done.
- Develop an teachable spirit.
- Be a man of conviction.
- Don't just swallow doctrine whole, but it make it a conviction of your own. (in other words know why you believe what you believe)
- Books are a pastors best friend.
- Graciously correct others. (Don't over look sin)
- Be willing to submit.
- Love books. (which I do)
- Know your history.
- Know and love the people you serve.


Challenges
- See my school work as work to unto the Lord. (This is hard considering, Computers are no my joy any more. )
- Make a schedule. Stick to it.(But dont be too rigid.)
- Develop a consistent way of studying for my lessions/sermons.
- Set aside and block off time to study for my lessions/sermons.
- Become a student of preaching. ( which I have many great examples before me to learn that are willing)

Observations about teaching the Word
- Apply what you teach.
- Pray about what you teach. (and do it often in preparation)
- Dont shoot so far above their heads that the entire meaning is lost. ( no most seventh graders are not going to know what I mean by the word hermeneutics)
- Have some one to ask how you did teaching.
- Study hard for you teaching.
- Commentaries are an excellent resource
- Make relevant Application.
- Make accurate exigeisis( with out this real application of the text is almost like groping in the dark.)


You may notice some of these overlap, and from those of you that are around to observe my life may see that I am still working on some of these. But if there is one thing I know Gods grace is sufficient to carry me though. Incomplete and some what random list I know. But I hope it blesses you to see what I am learning discipline about.

Great Expectations

Although the world is getting progressively worse, we as believers used to be apart of this dying system that the world is. But we are no more(2 Cor 5:17). As a part of the process of Sanctification we do progressively get better. By no means though is it a rapid or easy process. But as we Grow in Christ, we get progressively more Christ like. Let us not forget that in dealing with other believers. Let us look for evidence of graces in others. When we see a fault let us gracefuly encourage one another to move beyond that sin which so easly entangles us. (Heb 12:2) Strive to be a means of grace in the life of others. Let us be patient with one another, for santictification is a life long process. Lets let grace have its affect. Take this as an oportunity to pray for that brother or sister in Christ.
P.S. I may update this at a later date with a CJ Mahaney quote.
Update
"The call of God in the lives of believers means that God has been at work in them, and the evidences of grace reveal that He is at work in the present. And we will motivate others by grace when we percieve where and how He is at work in thier lives and humbly let them know." -CJ Mahaney p104 Humility

Doctrin is Pratical

Doctrin is Pratical

Throwing Water on a Cat

I renamed this one... well you will see

Hey guys, if you have not noticed I have sort of taken a break from blogging(....yea is it that obvious?)... but I hopefully shall return soon. Till then God bless and take care.

Getting campy on ya.

Hey guys, I will be gone for the weekend, to the Black Water River, in FL @ Adventures Unlimited. Please pray for me as I minster this weekend. Pray for Allen Cagle as he Teaches this weekend though 1Peter. Also pray I would know and Grow Closer to the students at the camp. Leave Friday afternoon. Be back Monday night.

...now I really need to update my blog role cause its very outdated. And my profile needs an over hall and who knows when ill get to that.

Hymn of the Week: Suffering and Praise

This hymn right here is one of my all time favorites. And honestly this one is great inspiration when going through the storms of life. To really understand and receive the full weight of the words read the story behind it. It beckons the question Why do we praise God though the hard times? Because Christ is better, because Christ is infinitely valuable, because God means it for our good. May we always use the hard times to make us realize the day is coming where we will not have to deal with sin& suffering, but we will be with Christ and know his perfection and know a perfect world. Let that day rest in our minds, let it encourage you, let it give you the peace that surpasses all understanding. This will be your witness your unshakeable peace though the storms, and you confidence in Christ alone and his will and his sovereignty.

It is Well with My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

But, Lord,? tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Bless'd hope, bless'd rest of my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

words by Ho­ratio G. Spaf­ford

There is pleasure in pain some times

OK, so Mr. iconoclasm got me, and got me bad. Enjoy i know i did. Let this be a lesson to you, dont just marry any one.

What this Pirate is reading

I have some books I am currently reading. Hopefully a good chunk of them off by summers end, maybe with the exception of one.

Future Grace by John Piper

Humility by C. J. Mahany

Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle

The Case for Progressive Dispensationalism by Robert Saucy

Famine in the Land by Steve Lawson (my beloved pastor)

Any ways if I get 3 of these read this summer I will be doing good. High lights so far are the heavy hitters Future Grace and the Progressive Dispensationalism. Thoughts for young men is really good also, and to be honest they are all good. Humility is so good that one should take no more than one afternoon to finsh up, Manhany is such a tallented writer, though he would never say that.

Bauer is better and there is not a thing you can do about it

ok this is the last of it i promiss. Here are some reasons why Jack is better. And yes I spent valuble class time coming up with these. If you want to see some really good ones check out the comments on the post below this one.

1. Jack is a pirate?.

Pirates kill ninjas?.

Chuck is a ninja?.. nuff said?..

2 Jack could take on the entire delta force and have 23 hours and 59 min. left to kill the terrorist.

3. Jack could have a show called 1, but he chooses to go 24 for the sport of it. Chuck selles total gym work out for the fun of it.

4. Jack Bauer kills a man every hour. Chuck takes an entire TV series to even think about it.

5. Chuck Norris no longer has a mullet. Jack told him to get rid of it.

6. The book Jack endorses: How to kill 96 people in 4 days. The book chuck endorses: best life now... (link coming to explaint his one I promiss)

7. Chuck is Jacks ill legitimate red headed step child?..

8. If you tried to round house Jack, he would break your ankle.

9. When jack is torturing suspects, re-runs of walker Texas Ranger are a last resort option.

10. When the bomb goes of 3 things will be left the cock roaches, jack bauer, and chuck norris but only cause he need to interogate him some more.

Its Random Time!

It is time to start making you realize why I call my self random. Expect more like them to come. These things will occur, you guessed it, randomly! Enjoy to the glory of God.

Who is better Jack Bauer or Chuck Norris? Why?



VS.

Hymn of the Week: Hard to Believe

Ok, so I have not posted in a while, but school has been way busier than I thought it would be right now. But I am still loving the hymns so i thought i would take one of my small portion of times to give ya one. I have a small one also on the books I am reading though right now but i still need to hyperlink them. Ok, now to the hymn. I love this one. It speaks about the courage need to be a Christian. In todays cultural Christian society. Its good to be remined that there is a cost to follow him. Mathew 6:24 says, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." This is imposible for the non-believer and hard for the believer. As my pastor always says: "Nothing could be so free as the Gospel, but it will costs you everything." Let it drive you to your knees in prayer. The thing I really enjoy about this one though is the Last verse. It proves the price we pay to believe will not be in vain. Glory to God. May we remember this. May we cherish this truth. Now enjoy. I know I did.

Am I a Soldier of the Cross

Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His Name?

Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I?ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.

Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith?s discerning eye

When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through skies,
The glory shall be Thine.

by Issac Watts

Hymn of the Week: The Church

OK, so I am a little late getting this weeks out. That's what happens when I don't do it on Sunday night. But they always say better late than never. Who ever they is. I want to do one, on a theme that is very special to me. The church. I can honestly say, that God is giving me a greater and greater love for the church. It over whelmes my thoughts, my emotions, and the direction of my life. It has become my joy to work in the local church. Especially in such a God honoring ministry. Is it perfect no. But honestly its probably one of the best I will encounter in my life, so I soak it up. But I digress. This song is about the church and Gods special love for it. I am reminded how much Christ loves the church. And pardon the dirgretion here. But the local church is the application of The Church (universal). So let us love an cherish the church as Christ likened it as a bride to her husband so is the church to Christ, in Eph 5 . Oh how it does my heart well to read these words. Please soak them in. Cherish this rich hymn. I know I do. And as always, read and apply.


The Churches One Foundation

The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.

She is from every nation,
Yet one o'’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

The Church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end:
Though there be those who hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against or foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail.

Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed:
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, 'How long?'
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song!

’Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious,
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won,
With all her sons and daughters
Who, by the Master'’s hand
Led through the deathly waters,
Repose in Eden land.

O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee:
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales the Bride
With Thee by living fountains
Forever shall abide!

words by: Samuel John Stone

source: Cyber Hymnal.org

Hymn of the week: Victory I

This week is focused on the victory Christ won for us at the cross. We sang this in church yesterday. It was the highlight of the worship. I just love this songs focus on how Great God is and the compleatness of the work on the cross (?Full atonement!?). The weak ness that was showed in the cross only magnified Christ strength in the cross. As hebrews says:" He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD," Let us wonder at the compleatness of the cross and be greatful for the cup of wrath that God took on our behalf. Hallelujah! What a Savior!



HALLELUJAH! WHAT A SAVIOR

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, Who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
?Full atonement!? can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
?It is finished!? was His cry;
Now in Heav?n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we?ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Words and Music by Phillip P. Bliss

Cyber Hymnal.org

Blog Spotting and personal updates.

I got grades in yesterday. And I must say I'm doing, way, way better than I deserve. This semester has proven to me that God is more faithful than I and that God is far more faithful than I. In His providence has made this one of my best semesters I have had in a long time. This was a tough semester with Human Computer Interface, but God saw me though and I am one step closer to graduation. Which means one step closer to seminary.

Ok so I can finally do some good old fashion blog spotting?

Mohler makes a good point here, about male friendship and the recent homosexuality movement in America. It has striped many male friendships of a closeness that once was considered perfectly heterosexual behavior. Read the article Mohler does the better job than I could articulating his point

Personally, I wish this book review was called Don Piper vs. John Piper. This is the kind of stuff we have to deal with on a regular basis with people's perception of heaven. With out Christ heaven is worthless. Thank you, John Piper, for being a blazing light for Gods Glory in a blind world.

This one on men, is a serious must read for my generation, men in my generation do not take God seriously, it?s a huge problem. Men think God is a joke. They think every thing is a joke these days. Last time I checked eternity was a serious thing, and even more important God him self is serious.


Ok and finally, a good book review site, One that is biblically discerning and has an eye out for those willing to compromise or dumb down the truth.

Have fun hopefully ill post in the next few days. Till then God bless and look out for my links to dramatically grow.

Hymn of the Week: The Cross I

This is a song we, sang today in church. It has a rich history and wonderful author by the name of Isaac Watts. I love this Hymn primarily for its words. The music in this hymn, to be honest is on and off. The last verse is worth the rest of the song. The crescendo is the high light and to be honest the other parts are a bit of a drag at the first of the verse picking up as we go along. But I must say the last verse is not only my favorite musically but lyrically it takes my proverbial cake. It shows how we can not pay the debt we owe to Christ, its never enough, it is a source of true humility. These are words to live by, you would do well to remember them and live them. This is the heart of a cross centered life.

When I survey the wondrous cross

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o'er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Words by Isaac Watts

Words pulled off of CyberHymnal.org

calvin pirate

Now this an icon worthy of this page. I dont know how calvin would have felt about me using him as an "icon" though.












Thanks Johnathan for the inspriation.

Brand new look!!!!

Well as you can see, I have updated the look. Personaly I dont think I have done that bad considering my knowledge of Html before this and a lack of photo shop to really edit my graphics. Everything should be in its usual place. I plan on updating the links, including the blog role (expanding them). Also there should be a substantive post coming from me soon, also with a major some major blog spoting and commentary. So as school winds down things should be preaty kicking around the "ship".

Hymn of the Week: Love I

This week I still have a lot to do for school but its the last week and I am done come Wednesday. But as I was thinking for this weeks hymn, I thought I would do one that was really the theme of my week. To put my week bluntly it was me paying for all the lazy stupid mistakes I had built up over the semester. I was thinking how stupid I was and how boneheaded I could be. At that time I was really feeling worthless and stupid on the way to class(that's a 30 min drive for those that don't know me), which meant I had time to think and as usual, I had my mp3 player going. I was so caught up in my though and just trashing my self about how stupid and lazy I can be. I forgot all about the stereo and I had my "Rock" CD in on random. This is one of the last CD's I go to if I really want to have a worship session in my car. But a song came on about 5 min in to my drive, it was Pillars song "Simply". It really kind of hit me hard that God loved me any ways. He loved me just because of his Son. Just to show an un-faithful man how much God is about Grace and is a good God. It even made me see that all these hard circumstances was God's loving discipline. (Heb 12:4-7)
You see, we can not possibly see Gods love with out seeing his Holiness. And the pillar song points that out("a love that did no wrong"), its impossible to know God apart from his Holiness. I must say by the time I got to school I was very different in my out look from the time I had left home. Thursday, I did not come away with, peace because consiquences had been avoided. On the contrary I came away with peace because I suffered the consequences. With that said , and I am sure you are wondering aloud "I thought this was about a hymn not some stupid rock song" this song is about this very concept the Wonderful powerful Love that Christ shows. It puts many of today's preachers to shame. We become so busy today in the ministry talking about love we forget often the greats show of love is not Mother Teresa, don't get me started on her, it was Christ and his atoning work on the Cross. This Hymn beautifully captures this in eloquent words that so honor God. I hope it ministers to your heart like it did mine.

What Wonderous Love is This?

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God'’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb Who is the great "I Am";
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I'’m free, I'’ll sing on, I'll sing on;
And when from death I'm free, I'’ll sing on.
And when from death I'’m free, I'll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I'’ll sing on, I'll sing on;
And through eternity, I'’ll sing on.

Words by Alexander Means.

Words pulled off of CyberHymnal.org

Hymn of the Week, 4th Sunday of April '06

First Edition!!! With a bonus Hymn!!!
Ok, ok, so I have had virtually no time for any thing. But I thought I would go ahead and introduce a new feature that I plan on trying to do every week, "Hymn of the Week". I have not always loved hymns, but over the past couple of years I have really come to appreciate them. If any should know any thing about the worship at Christ Fellowship is that we honor the great hymns of the past. They are rich in theology and exhortations. Needless to say,I love worship at our church it is such a rich blessing to hear the great hymns and praise choruses of church history. So I thought I would share some of the great hymns that are so dear to me. I am kicking around the idea of actually personaly commenting on the hymns them selves, but for the time I let you use enjoy them for what they are. To kick off this series of post, I decided to give you two to savor. So with out further aduie, here are this weeks hymns.
P.S. I may update these later with some personal commentary on what in the songs capture my affections

Come Ye Sinners
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Refrain

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

Refrain

View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?

Refrain

Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.

Refrain

Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.

Refrain

Words by Joseph Hart, 1759

Bonus: Trust and Obey
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Refrain

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

Refrain

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain

Words by John H. Sammis, 1887.

Words pulled off of CyberHymnal.org

Yea so I have not posted in a while.....Sorry

Hey guys sorry about the really huge gapping hole in my post. School is killer. but I promiss I will be bloging soon as school is on break.(but you never know as soon as I post something like this I find time and insparation to do it) In the mean time, all 2 of my readers, please go and check out some of my recominded blogs in the mean time. So it will be May be for you see any thing substanive. By the way I have some drafts (one is really long) for some post on moralism and its infection in the church and culture. So till then God bless.

eschatology? i got your eschatology.

You scored as Premillenialist. Premillenialism believes that there will be a rapture and tribulation before Jesus returns and overthrows the antichrist and establishes his Kingdom. Current events are spoken of in scripture. Premillenialist 80% Left Behind 65% Postmillenialist 50% Dispensationalist 50% Moltmannian Eschatology 35% Amillenialist 30% Preterist 25% What is your eschatology? created with QuizFarm.com

In response to.....(this is a first draft)

The following verses were given as possible problems with a premillennialist view. read the comments here for real context

First off I must say I am not theologian and I have a great deal of respect for amillennialist. Many have gone before me, that are far wiser than me. But because I do believe in the perspicuity of scripture, I will give the answer to this that I think best fits it, in the brevity of a blog post. (Now that is a challenge!) Also I am not a Greek scholar by any means. I view it as a seminary warm up. So here is my Armature shot at it.

Ok now to tackle the passages to the best of my ability.
The passage of Mark 13:29-31.*
"Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place."
Now the key word in this passage is the word generation. Now the Greek word is translated generations here and it used quite a bit in the passage its self. . (Thank God for concordances)
In the Greek it is “genea� (1074 in your Strong’s based Concordance)
It means:�race, family, generation� **
As a mater of fact the NASB version puts a footnote at the bottom stating that it also means race. So we have a situation where a word means not just a generation but it could also mean a whole race, that being the Jewish race. In other words it’s the preservation of the Jewish race.
This is also the case for the passage quoted in Luke, same interpretation for the word Generations.
Luke 21:31-33**
“So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place."

Now on to the passage in Matthew
Matthew 16:27-28**
"For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

Now the key thing is the word kingdom in this passage.
In the Greek it is “basileia� (932 in your Strong’s based Concordance)
It means:� kingdom, sovereignty, royal power� **
As has been well pointed out this verse right here is right before Christ transfiguration. Where he reveals him self in his glorified self, I.E. his royal power. So he was speaking of his glory being revealed.


So I have more I could add I may do it in a later post (ie a couple of weeks from now).

*from the Zondervan Exhaustive Concordance
** NASB

You had better watch us Reformed Baptist

I saw this online the just yesterday. If you have not had your head in the sand then you will know about the recent riots among Muslims for cartoons of their prophet Muhammad. Which apparently is blasphemous to them and makes them really angry. Ok, just proof that I can laugh at my self. I laughed for a solid 10 min. It was amazing. If you don't get it IM, email me or call me Ill try to explain it to you. It is just to priceless. ok here is the link.

Oh and just for the record this is the most I have ever posted. Man I don't think I need to knock my self down patting my self on the back.

Oh... I see where you are coming from....

You ask your self where this guy coming from! Well look no further than these men. So many of these men I owe my thanks for my growth and shaping of my theology. There by influencing my personality, world view, morals, my soul, my prayers, my convictions, my ministry, my love, my passions, my hills I die on, and my hills I run over. To them I owe many thanks some more than others. Some very practical, others extremely theological (all though I submit you can not have one with out the other), but all receive great gratitude, from me, to these men. Some dead, some almost dead some, I’ll never meet. Some I see every week. Every one of them I love. Every one of them I thank God for. I wish I could say that I was just like many of these men; they are marks and goals along the way of my sanctification and men to follow in their foot steps. As I try to know Christ as they knew/know Christ. And to do what Paul said so many times and that is “imitate me, as I follow Christ�

Who are my influences?
Dr. Steven J. Lawson (my pastor)
Chris Barksdale (my pastor over the youth ministry that I work with)
Jeff Forester (my best friend and my mentor)
Mr. Mike Stanton(a dear brother who leads with me and over me in the middle school at church)
Tom Gibson (an elder at my church)
My entire Church (to many to name off)
Dr. John Piper
Dr. John MacArthur
Dan DaHaan
Jerry Bridges
Wane Grudem
Joshua Harris
C.J. Mahaney
Martin Luther
Jonathan Edwards
John Bunyan
John Foxx
John Calvin
R.C. Sproul
C. S. Lewis
Rick Holland
Phillip Johnson
My Father (Roy Munger)
My Mother(Cynthia Munger)
Church history

I have had many people influence me and they had influences or I have read quips of these men or had them quoted to me. I really look forward to knowing more of these guys though out my life time.
Who would I like to influence me more??
C.H. Surgeon
Cotton Mather
B.B. Warfield
J.C. Ryle
John Gill
The martyrs of the ages
A.W. Tozer
Elisabeth Elliot
John Knox
George Whitefield
Richard Baxter
A.W. Pink
Martin Lloyd-Jones
J. Vernon McGee
J. Gresham Machen
John Owen
J. Adams
Augustine
Charles Finny (just kidding)

Scott Stapp a Genuine Chirstian???

Me not only loving rock music but also being some what of a rock history buff this is very interesting to me. Scott Stapp, formerly of Creed, has said alot of interesting stuff in an interview with Chirstianity Today back in 2004. Things about how he was not right with God while he was in Creed and how he now has turned some things around. He dont have every thing right but he says alot of good things that I think are very telling and that i can relate to in my own tesitimony.But time is always the best indicator of how these stories flesh them selves out.

The Crooked End of the Spear

Just recently I went and saw The End of The Spear; it is the story of Nick Saint, his son and a cannibal tribe in Ecuador. I was very disappointed to hear that they had cast an openly gay activist, Chad Allen for the role of Nick/Steve Saint which has bad enough implications as it is, but after seeing the movie I was even more appalled at its almost overt omission of the Gospel its self. Some of what I will say here might be mere speculation. I promise to keep that to a minimum. I must say that me, personally, I have not read any books on the story of these faithful men, but I have heard their stories. And have been impacted by quotes of the men who were martyred.

The Gospel was hidden.
There was only one verse quoted in the entire movie. It was the translated verse of John 3:16. And it was simply a means to pacify. I did not have a problem with the way they translated the verse. But it was the way they didn’t have any more translated that bothered me.
The need for the gospel was never really discussed. These people needing to stop killing each other was mentioned, the fact that the missionaries wanted to be ‘friends’ was mentioned, but the word hell, haa! , who uses that word any more, the way it is meant to be used. Christ lordship and sin was never mentioned in the movie, not once. Olsten would have been proud. There were so many places where the Gospel could have been introduced. No, the story was about how we could reconcile a son and his father’s murderer, and how to westernize a tribe and get it medicine. All this is great, but the gospel was scarcely there.
If I had no idea of the story, or the personal testimonies of the men who gave every thing, I could assume that they could have very well might have been UN aid workers. But no these men gave everything for the Gospel. It was foolishness, not just being nice to your fellow humans, it was greater than that. Sure they did not want the tribe to be wiped out but they did not want to see these people to die with out knowledge of Christ. They did not just want to be friends they wanted them to become brothers and sisters in Christ. It went deeper than to reform murderers. No it was about changing their hearts. Not with a message of peace, but with the message of Christ.
One point has been made to me, “But the movie showed a persons life changing, and them getting happier because of being a Christian�. Well to be honest a Hindu convert can be persuaded to be nice to people by doing good things like, administering medicine to mortal enemies and stop murdering people. Matter of fact a Hindu would have loved the verse that they quoted to the tribe’s man, about “not spearing back after he had been speared.� These are fruits of a Christian true, but it does not make us entirely distinctive from any other person’s good deeds, or an Atheist good deeds.
So what sets the Gospel apart is the distinctive person of Christ. Christ was left out. I know there was allusions to Him, very few, matter of fact. I tried asking my self during the movie why they were down there, from the perspective of the movie and knowing only what the movie told you. I challenge you to do the same. I would submit to you that Christ will not come to mind if you approach it with a fresh mind. This should have been a bold statement for the Gospel like the lives of the men and women who gave it all for this tribe of murderers.
The sovereignty of God was not explored.
When Steve Saint was comforting his son, Gods control of the situation was not mentioned like I would think it would be. God sovereignty over the situation was never even mentioned in the movie or even really hinted at. One would think that a missionary would have come to terms in a situation like this with the fact that they very well may die trying to show Christ to these people. The sovereignty was of great comfort in this stituation and would have been a great under lying theme for the movie.
Jim Eliot was portrayed as an Idiot.
I am sure that Jim Eliot was a fun guy. But the way He was portrayed in this movie was as, seemed to me, an absolute Imbecile. He said very few intelligent things although, he had one serious part. And he did not really seem to portray the gospel which, if anybody knows Jim Eliot, he was sold out for the cross. It was his life and death, and it seemed all for not in this movie. You never saw Jim’s real concern for the tribesmen.
The Last part of the film was weird
I really did not like the way the movie ended. It was really confusing. There was allot of crying, a lot of overly dramatic music. The part about jumping the boa was some what confusing. I understand that it may have been their god but I honestly did not get the hang up with the boa. It flashed back to show the death of Nick Saint and this time he was experiencing some sort of state of ecstasy and a vision of ghost like things swirling around his head. I can understand why Steve got so emotional visiting the site where his father died, but the best way to describe it was, trippy.
It tried to establish the Goodness of men.
The movie really tried to play off the goodness of the tribes men. I don’t know if the mercy really did happen with the natives that spared each other in the movie. I got the impression, from the movie, that Mincayani was really good down inside, and that he just needed a little help. He was getting tired of all the killing. I never really got the impression, from what I have heard, that the Mincayani was going around sparing anyone’s life, women and children for that matter. I always looked at the story as giving a picture of mans utter depravity, and Gods great grace.

On the whole if you are curious about the movie go see it. Dont see it for the great acting cause its non-existent, but if you want it accurate and in the sprit of the original story in all of its beauty then don’t look to the movie to do so it just isn’t.

The Crooked End of the Spear

Just recently I went and saw The End of The Spear; it is the story of Nick and Steive Saint and a cannibal tribe in Ecuador. I was very disappointed to hear that they had cast an openly gay activist for the role of Nick Saint witch has bad enough implications as it is, but after seeing the movie I was even more appalled at its almost overt omission of the Gospel its self. Some of what I will say here might me mere speculation. I promise to keep that to a minimum.I must say that me personaly i have not read any books on the story of these faithful men, but i have heard their stories, have been impacted by quotes of the men who were marytered
Jim Eliot was portrayed as an Idiot.
I am sure that Jim Eliot was a fun guy. But the way He was portrayed in this movie was as, seemed to me, an absolute Imbecile. He said very few intelligent things although he had one serious part. And he did not really seem to portray the gospel witch if anybody
The Gospel was hidden.
There was only one verse quoted in the entire movie. It was the translated verse of John 3:16. And it was simply a means to pacify. The need for the gospel was never really discussed. These people needing to stop killing each other was mentioned, the fact that the missionaries wanted to be ‘friends’ was mentioned, but the word hell, haa , who uses that word any more the way it is meant to be used. Christ lordship and sin was never mentioned in the movie. Olsten would have been proud. There were so many places where the Gospel could have been introduced. No the story was about how we could reconcile a son and his fathers murderer, and how to westernize a tribe and get it medicine. All this is great, but the gospel was scarcely there. If I had no idea of the story, or the personal testimonies of the men who gave every thing I could assume that they could have very well might have been UN aid workers. But no these men gave everything for the Gospel. It was foolishness, not niceness or just being nice to your fellow humans
The sovereignty of God was denied.
When Steve Saint was comforting his son, Gods control of the situation was not mentioned like I would think it would be. His control over the situation was never even mentioned in the movie. One would think that a missionary would have come to terms in a situation like this. It is never even hinted at. I think this would have been a great theme
Martyrdom was mocked with a hyper warm fuzzy experience

It tried to establish the Goodness of men.
The movie really tried to play off the goodness of these men. I don’t know if the mercy really did happen with the natives I got the big impression that Mincayani was really good down inside he just needed a little help. He was getting tired of all the killing. I never really got the impresion from the story that The tribes%

The Random Reformed Screaming Pirate

so its been a really long time sense i have blogged. this is not my first priority right now. But i have a few brewing. So fret not. i will post some time this month. God bless. And remember His grace.