Relapse..Ugh! (Charice)

Well, I was doing good for a bit but got sneezed on Sunday by some little guys and come Monday I woke up with a sore throat and cough. To make matters worse I had a bowl of Crispix cereal and Rice Dream Rice Milk that I thought was gluten free, but within minutes I started feeling like I had wheat/gluten exposure. Come to find out, Rice Dream Rice Milk contains 0.02% of gluten, which is written in tiny little letters on the package and the Crispix contains Barley Malt which also contains gluten. Ugh! After taking a dose of Honey Chestal this morning my cold is retreating and the exposure to the gluten is slowly leaving my system.

We have also discovered that Dominic seems to have a gluten allergy as well, so today I ran over to Native Sun to pick up some Pacific Rice Milk to see if we get any improvement.

Oh, and on a happy note for moi (yay!), my fingernails and toe nails are growing at a fast pace! I've always had short boyish little nails but now they are actually growing. I hate to sound girly-fied (my word) but I might have to purchase some natural/organic nail polish soon. :-)
I can't help but be happy because if my body is healing, that means the villi in my intestines are slowly absorbing vitamins and minerals.

I'll write some theological later, but for now I'm going to get some more rest. (And ponder nail polish colors....teehee)

An infinite and holy God (Charice)

Now that my brain is off the toxic wheat/gluten I'm free to have thoughts that last longer than five seconds. And as such...I've been pondering again!

I have alot of family and friends who have lost children in various ways and they all seem to handle it differently. What troubles me most is when I meet mom's who almost take God out of the equation completely, and assume that it's the doctor's fault. Now, I whole heartedly believe that if a doctor does not perform their duties in which they are fully capable, then you should pursue legal ramifications.

"How can God understand my suffering?" Sometimes in all the pain a parent goes through, they tend to lose sight of the cross. It's something we sinfully do quite often. The Father truly loved his son but both were aware of the sacrifice needed to cover so much sin, therefore God allowed his one and only innocent child to be humiliated, flogged, mocked and crucified. He's a just God so therefore he can't over look sin, so of course there had to be a pretty big valuable sacrifice made.
If you need a visual, check out "The Passion of Christ". God ordained the birth of a child and the death of a child, which scripture supports in Psalm 139: 13-16

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written,
every one of them, the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them."

As well as in Job:1:21
"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

I truly don't believe the question any parent should ask is "How can God understand my suffering?" but more so, "In my hour of weakness, what should I do?"

I believe the Word for those parents would be found in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

It's late so I'm signing off for tonight. :-)

Weekly Ponderings - Charice

(Charice speaketh her mind... --Chris)
This week has yielded quite a bit for me both emotional and spiritually, and I'm up to Wednesday! See, this wheat free/gluten free/dairy free diet is the bomb! Ack! I've just aged myself.

(1) I've learned that my oldest son can pee on the wall while sitting next to it on the toilet -- what an amazing talent! For his next stunt he will write his name in the snow -- blind folded!

(2) I've learned that the Lord will bring all his works full circle, if he starts something in your life he WILL bring it to completion.

(3) I've re-realized that my husband is my best friend and therefore DOES have my best interests at heart. Now somebody remind me of that when I'm arguing *my* point with Chris.

(4) I've realized that I should see the blessing that my children are rather than focus on their sins.

(5) My husband recently expressed a realization that he feels the Lord may one day draw him to be a pastor --my first thought was "Am I the clay that would end up being a Godly pastor's wife?". Did this man forget who he married? Did he forget he married an unsaved sinner at one point? But again I suppose if it's the Lord's will, my body will bow to his hands.

(6) I realized that out of all the jobs I've ever had -- motherhood yields the best "pay".

(7) My children need a savior -- just like mommy, daddy and the whole planet.

(8) I need no mother, father, sister or inlaws as long as I have my God, my husband and my children by my side. Not to say they don't have a place in my life, but God's word says I'm to cleave to my husband and I feel as though I've reached a maturing point where that has happened.

(9) God has your interest and it's because of that that anything he allows to happen in your life, will happen because he willed it. You don't need more money, fancy clothes, a fancy car, etc. but you do need sanctification and salvation.

(10) I'm blessed to be surrounded by elders who God has blessed with much wisdom.

"The gospel according to Oprah"?

(Charice gets up on her 'lil soapbox :-) --Chris)
After watching the youtube video (click here), I'm just blown away at the blasphemy, it's sad there's a huge number of people that are following behind this woman. Then again, when you have no shepherd to lead you, you wonder around aimlessly looking for anyone to care for you.

Ugh! I feel like satiating myself in a little scripture, so let me drop a few on you.

John 10:2-5
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

John 10:9-11
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:14
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. "

Romans 1:18-24
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Romans 1:24-25
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Deuteronomy 4:2
You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.

Okay, now I feel better.

Wait....as strange as it seems, I felt a great need to gleen Psalm 1 and found this juicy tidbit.

Psalm 1:5-6 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Oh My Word! I do believe the Lord has spoken and he's waaaay older and wiser than Oprah Winfrey. I think I'll listen to wise words of the Lord.

Psalm 7:9-17
Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous—
you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God! My shield is with God,
who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons,making his arrows fiery shafts. Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has mad .His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends. I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

I feel much comfort in the Word of God and therefore I'm ready for my sleep.Wait..one more
Psalm 127:2 for he gives to his beloved sleep..okay it's not about getting to bed on time but he does bless me with sleep which I truly need. :0)

Charice's testimony

I'm not really sure how to start my testimony of what the Lord has done for me recently but the important thing is that God gets the glory for it. For over the past two and a half years I've been deeply burdened by the realization that for me it was impossible to absorb the word of God not only on Sundays, but when I would have Home Group as well. After much distress I had reached my boiling point and felt as if I would never be able to focus on scripture again. It was a very distressing thought as I looked around every Sunday seeing others jot down notes as the preacher spoke. What was wrong with me that I couldn't focus for one simple hour, let alone one minute during the sermon? Over the month's my spiritual well continued to get drier and I knew that something was stopping me from getting even the tiniest spiritual crumb.

Now many people know that I've had to go on a elimination diet to remove artificial colors, flavors and preservatives but that seemed to only help with my physical ailments. So after doing about 6 years on this diet I thought I had gotten to the very core of the problem but still seemed to have constant sinus problems and was never able to sit down in a large group of people and concentrate on anything. To say I cried out to God for help, well that's sort of an understatement. I still remember to this day walking into the church and praying, "God, I won't get this but somehow please do a work in me so I will one day get this stuff. I need you to change me because I don't know what to do."

About two months ago I happened to be in the parking lot of Native Sun and a woman stopped at the end of my car and out of blue recommended I look into celiac disease. What had prompted this woman to stop at my car in the first place? I have a sticker on my car that reads ADHDDiet.com and after speaking with her, she had once thought she had ADD/ADHD but later found out she had celiac disease. After a few pleasantries she went on her way and I went on mine, a little shaken that a complete stranger would stop to talk about my health. I mean, how often do complete strangers walk up to you and discuss your health?

I was shaken, but I knew this had to be God using this stranger to tell me something. I figured if I couldn't hear God in my own head, maybe he had to send someone with their own voice. A few weeks ago our pastor spoke on Ananias and Sapphira and for the first time I was able to not only keep up with the sermon but I was understanding what was being said. In fact, I probably bugged my husband during the sermon as I was constantly telling him everything that I could comprehend. (Not really :-) --Chris) I left church that day a little apprehensive that this wasn't going to last, but still prayed for good things to come. Every day I feel things changing little by little and know that the best is still to come.

I've been unable to attend church the last few weeks due to illness in our family, but this morning I was able to attend the worship and really felt the Holy Spirit move in me and speak to me, in ways I haven't had in a long time. Someone in our church spoke this morning on not looking back to the past but to the future, and I realized that over the past few weeks I had become a little concerned about all the sermons I had missed. How could I possibly make up for two and a half years of sermons? I can't, now all I can do is look to the future and eagerly anticipate what new things the Lord will reveal to me.

As I sit here pondering back on those times, there was probably a spirit of covetousness for those foods that "normal people" we able to eat. Those yummy wheat, gluten and occasional dairy laden treats were my idol that kept me from my God. Do I still have the temptation to eat foods that have those ingredients? Absolutely! What may seem like a harmless, momentary pleasure can in fact push us further from the true thing we need most. Yet, God allows all things so that when our eyes are opened, we see just how much he cares for us. AS yummy as many foods are, from now on when I'm offered something I will remember just how far away from God I felt two and a half years ago, and graciously decline. No matter how good something may seem, it's not more beneficial for us than the Father.

(It is a great pleasure and relief to see my wife speak with wisdom and bring such glory to God. I had been praying, "Lord change her" for years, but God revealed that I must pray "Lord, change ME!" And ironically, God changed her when I stopped focusing on her problems and started focusing on mine, and the solution of my problems: the gospel. Glory to GOD! --Chris)

National Atheist Day, April 1

This Tuesday (April 1st) used to be called April Fool's Day, but now we are calling it National Atheist Day! "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" (Psalm 14:1 ESV)

The interesting thing about atheism is it strikes the heart of every man, whether he be a believer or an unbeliever. Here's how you can tell: Suppose Jesus knocked on your front door tomorrow morning and told you, "I will be following you around, observing you, for the rest of your life." Wouldn't you act differently?

So why the difference? Unbelief!

And yet believers in Christ do have a mustard seed of faith. Their lives give evidence of that belief.

So let us be as the father of the demon-possessed child in Mark 9 and say, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (ESV)


(Thanks goes to my friend Bridget for passing the first two sentences along, from which I built this post.)

Calvininsts teach Perseverance, NOT Eternal Security/OSAS!

Are you guys aware that Calvinists classically taught "Perseverance" as opposed to "Eternal Security" or "Once Saved, Always Saved"? It is my conviction that the latter is so dangerous it's inches from heresy; it has given false assurance to countless millions of false Christians. While I think that the former embraces every statement about the loss of salvation that a non-Calvinist can make. It just adds the promises of God.

Read the Westminster Confession:

"They, whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved." Westminster Confession of Faith 17.1, drafted by the Westminster Assembly at the request of the British Parliament 1643-47, emphasis added by me

It's not as important to me whether Calvinists taught it; what's more important is to know whether it's what the Bible teaches, and I believe it is. Even so, let's not burn Calvinist straw men.

So when I read Colossians 1:21-23, 1 John 1:5-10; 3:3-6, Hebrews 10:26-31 or Hebrews 12:1, I just nod my head and say, "yep, that's true." And when I read John 6:38-40, John 10:28-29, Romans 8:28-39, Philippians 1:4-6, Philippians 2:12-13 and 1 John 2:19, I say "yep, that's true."

I love the doctrine of perseverance because it embraces all of what the Bible teaches about the subject. It teaches that God is SOVEREIGN in salvation. It teaches that man is RESPONSIBLE in salvation.

It's all true!

You MUST persevere to the end.
You WILL persevere to the end.
You MUST.
You WILL.
You MUST.
You WILL.

I don't know where one ends and the other begins, I just know that Scripture says both are true and therefore I believe it. Here's how I think it works: God's Word says that losing one's salvation is indeed something that, while it technically could happen, won't -- and that is God's promise. Therefore you can take it to the bank as if it were in Fort Knox. He will see to it that you will never ultimately reject Him and He will always provide the strength -- that you MUST use! -- to persevere until the end.

Furthermore, it must not be forgotten that God uses the warnings His very Word as a means to prevent true Christians from faltering. These warnings are in themselves proof that God will prevent His children from being cast into hell. The Scriptures that you non-Calvinistic Christians point to are the very proof of God's preserving effect! They are the very means to the end He will effect!! 1 John 1:5-10 is proof-positive that God intends to preserve His chosen, because countless thousands have read that passage and been cut to the heart of their hypocrisy. 1 John 1:5-10 is proof of God's preserving work through the ages. Where would those countless thousands be without the warnings in God's Word???

Do not burn Calvinistic Christians at the stake, we are your brothers in Christ. And the ones who disallow a lawless, antinomian, licentious lifestyle are actually closer brothers than you may be aware. Join us in refuting "Eternal Security" and "Once Saved, Always Saved", but don't burn straw men. And consider whether you're missing out on God's amazing, heart-warming, soul-thrilling, faith-enriching, long-cherished promises of perseverance and preservation until the end. They are choice jewels!!

...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you... (Philippians 2:12,13 ESV)

P.S. You might want to have a look at this link, it was very helpful for me:
Can a Christian lose his or her Salvation? Arminianism, Antinomianism and Classic Calvinism

Jesus told us to sell everything we own!!

I was wrestling with Luke 12:33. I thought it said, "Sell all that ye have, and give alms." (KJV) I thought, "Everything, Lord? My house and car and clothes off my back?"

I wrestled and wrestled and told God I would do it, if that's really what he meant.

I surrendered.

Then I prayed for wisdom from the Holy Spirit. And I received!

Just an hour later, I saw that the word "all" is not in the King James or any other translation. It's not in the original Greek. I had imagined it.

In the context, Jesus is encouraging us not to treasure things here and encourages us to make use of the treasures we have by giving to the poor. He is calling us to live simply so as to maximize our resources for the Kingdom. He is calling us to keep very little, except what we need to survive.

Now surely that is a radical calling, but not nearly as radical as "Sell all that you have"!


What can you learn from this?
1.) Live simply and give your goods away for the poor.
2.) Be willing to surrender to the Word of God. If it says to jump, you should be willing to say, "Yes, Lord. How high?"

Ben Stein on Darwinism and free speech

The more I thought about the situation, the more I wondered why we tolerate free speech in every other area of the society, but not here.

What makes this situation so different? In my experience, people who are confident in their ideas are not afraid of criticism. So that tells me the Darwinists are afraid. They're hiding something.

-- Ben Stein, trailer on ExpelledTheMovie.com (emphasis added)

Proof that the Jehovah's Witnesses have the wrong Jesus!

Isn't it true that the Jesus of the Jehovah's Witnesses is so radically different that he could not rightly be called the same Jesus that the one the Christians worship? They could only be two different Jesuses.

Therefore, JWs, if you've got the wrong Jesus, you're going to hell. You know that, don't you?

I am utterly confident that I have the right Jesus. Here's how I know: I have a personal, active, experiential relationship with Him. He guides me with the Word, with wisdom, discipline, companionship and strength. He leads me by the inner Spirit dwelling within me in obedience to the Ten Commandments and other Biblical Laws. I desire to obey, not because I have to, but because I want to, because His Spirit lives within me, prompting me to, because I love Him so much. My conscience has been sharpened to the slightest disobedience to God's Laws. I cannot get away with rebellion on any level. I have an incredible companionship with the Messiah that no person on earth will ever replace. I love Him, I worship Him, I would die for Him, I can't wait until He returns or calls me home.

I have enjoyed this relationship since approximately the Summer of 2000. This relationship was promised in Jeremiah 31:33,34 and fulfilled in Matthew 26:28. Therefore, when I read your literature I immediately know that you are mistaken.

"WHAT? That doesn't prove anything!" It does to me ;-) For me, it is completely, unarguably self-authenticating. I am willing to die for this Messiah, and seeing the direction this Spirit is taking me, a martyr's death is likely.

"But that doesn't prove it for me!" That's understandable. If you want to prove it for yourself, take the good person test.

The stakes couldn't be higher. I invite you to know the Bringer of the New Covenant personally and therefore be confident that you will be judged "not guilty" on the Day of Judgment.

Atheists fear George Mueller

Atheists must fear George Mueller or something. I just did a Google search for any atheist who might try to make a case that he was a fraud, or even that they could say anything about him.

Zero.
Zip.

Many atheists have been converted by reading his testimonies!

Read
OR
Listen


I want to be like George, and so be used by God to put to silence the arguments of unbelievers. God, please use me like he!

Now here's a TBN show I wouldn't mind watching

I'm really not a fan of the "Praise the Lord" show but here's one show I wouldn't mind seeing! It had:
Kirk Cameron
Chip Ingram
Todd Friel
Tedd Tripp
Paul Washer

And two others that Kirk appreciates, even though I'd never heard of them. But if Kirk appreciates them, they must be good.

Woohoo! I'll have to watch it later...

Here it is. Open it in Windows Media Player. Here's the URL so you can copy/paste if you need to (I had to):
http://tinyurl.com/2d4kou

Aren't there many roads to heaven?

Q: Aren't there many roads to heaven? Just as there are many paths to the top of a mountain, there are many roads to heaven.
A: Where do you have to be to see if all paths lead to the top of a mountain? You have to be above the mountain, don't you? Therefore don't you have to be God to make that statement?

What if those roads only appear to go to heaven but at the end lead to destruction? It'll be the day of Judgment before you find out, won't that be too late?

Not all roads lead to the same God. The God of Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Jesus says that if you lie you'll be found guilty of lying on the day of Judgment and will be cast into the lake of fire. If you look with lust on another person you're guilty of adultery. If you hate someone you're guilty of murder. No other "road" gets that personal, requiring holiness down in the inward parts. Clearly all roads cannot be leading to this God, for this God is more pure than any other.

And of course this God gives grace, which is not found on any other "road," not even Islam.

So let's lay down this business that "all roads lead to heaven." You're not God, you cannot make that statement.

Want free solar for your house?

Want free solar for your house?

A new program makes it incredibly easy to get free solar for your house. Read this. Basically, the way you save money is A.) by locking in utility rates for up to 25 years and B.) if your free solar grid generates more electricity than you normally use. Someone else installs it, someone else fixes it if it breaks. Sounds exciting! I signed up.

Trick question: Are you ready for Christmas?

Here's a test to prove that Christmas has gotten to be too much about shopping: Ask anyone, "Are you ready for Christmas?" The reply will almost always be, "No, I'm not done shopping yet!"

When I first started asking the question I had in mind, "Are you glad it's the Christmas season now? Isn't this a wonderful time of year?" But I'd get the reply above, which puzzled me. I soon discovered that what everyone seems to think I was asking was, "Have you prepared yourself for everything that you must do (or believe you must do) before December 25th?"

People tend to do what they think they must do this time of year: please everyone. Without the grace of God and His direction that is impossible.

So ask the question of others, and see what the responses are. Then ask yourself if you're spreading yourself too thin this time of year. If so, see the previous post, and ask God for grace (unmerited favor) and direction.

Are you spread too thin?

Readers, are you spread thin because you have so many opportunities for good things you don't know which to spend time on? You could benefit from a values assesment.

Go here and just do the first three days, it'll help you get focus. Of course you can read the whole thing, especially as it pertains to your finances, but I found just those three days applied to my time as well.

If you're having trouble with the values section as I did, look here.

My values:
Gospel
Family
Prudence (as in, saving for the future, planning wills, frugal living, etc.)
Friends
Giving
Truth (as in, any truth that changes lives but is not the Gospel itself)

The Bible was written by men!

Statement: The Bible was written by men!
Reply: You are absolutely correct. But when you write a letter, who chooses the words? You or your pen?

That's what Peter was trying to explain to his audience:

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21 ESV)

He was trying to say that, yes the Bible (prophecy) was written or spoken by men but the words were chosen and directed by God's providence.

And by the way, I'm not trying to use the Bible to prove the Bible, I'm only trying to re-express my point with Scripture. Also, notice that this objection is at least 2,000 years old :-)

Of course the Bible was written by men; that fact gets us nowhere. The question is: Did those men write every word God wanted them to, or did they make them up? That's the $64,000 question, NOT whether the Bible was written by men.

And really, if the Bible had fallen out of the sky, would people today believe the witnesses?

I don't believe in trains!

HONNNKKK!!!!!!!

The man stood on the lonesome country train tracks in the dark of night. Only corn and open sky surrounded him.

HONNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKK!!!!

The train was just a quarter of a mile away. The man didn't budge.

"I don't believe in trains!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, trying to drown out the horn.

HONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!

"I DON'T BELIEVE IN TRAINS!"

Seven more times the train honked. It couldn't stop; there were too many cars and the distance was too short.

...
...
...

The mess was gruesome.

The train of judgment is barreling toward you whether you believe in it or not, and I'll show you proof: The Ten Commandments.

10. You shall not covet. Who do you know who has never wanted something that didn't belong to them?
9. You shall not give false testimony. Tell one lie, white lie, fib, half-truth, whatever, and you're a liar. I'm a liar, and "as for [...] liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur" (Revelation 21:8 ESV) I lied to my wife just last night. I confessed it to her and am forgiven by the blood of Christ.
8. You shall not steal. Take even one thing that belongs to someone else and you're a thief. God doesn't care about the value when it belongs to someone else.

Ever taken the company's time? You're a thief. God is helping me with this one, but I've been so guilty of it.
7. You shall not commit adultery. Again most people think they've passed this one, until confronted with Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:27: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

God judges the heart. I think every breathing person alive is an adulterer at heart.
6. You shall not murder. Most people think they've gotten away from this one, but consider what the apostle John said: "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer." (1 John 3:15)

See God judges the heart. In this country, if you even conspire to kill the president you'll go to prison. In the same way, God judges the heart.
5. Honor your father and mother. I was like any teen, rebellious to the brim.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. God gave me breath and life and more than I deserve; so often I haven't given Him just one day out of the week.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. That's called blasphemy; it's replacing a four-letter filth word with God's name, the one who gave you breath and life. If I used your mother's name as a filth word you'd be extremely upset; how much more almighty God? This is a serious crime, and I'm guilty of it too.
2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image. This can be done with the hands or the mind. I've run after money, friendship, food, etc. I've broken this commandment.

You can also break this commandment like this: "My God is a God of love. He wouldn't create hell." You are 100% correct, because your god doesn't exist! Your god has no sense of justice. You are guilty of creating a god in your mind.
1. You shall have no other Gods before me. Have you always, every waking moment, in everything, put God first in your life, to the point that love for mothers, brothers, sisters, husbands has looked like HATRED in comparison? I'm guilty of breaking this commandment. Who isn’t??


Listen to the voice of your conscience. You know it's wrong to lie, don't you? You know it's wrong to steal. God's judgment is as sure as the sunrise and your conscience bears witness that His law is true. Jesus said, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3 ESV)

God’s Word says, "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out." (Acts 3:19)

Jesus stood my place. He shoved me off the tracks and let Himself be hit by the train of judgment -- that's why "gospel" means "good news." I am incredibly and eternally grateful for what He did for me.


PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE repent and believe in Christ's finish work for sinners like you and me. It's your only hope.


"I DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD! I DON'T BELIEVE IN JUDGEMENT!"

HONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!

How to stand for reformed theology without being a jerk

Jen Guerriero had an excellent point on last night's "Two Reformed Brothers" blogcast: Some who affirm reformed theology can really be a jerk about it. It's tempting, but that's because of our sin, NOT because of the doctrine itself; there are many humble reformed Christians.

Here's how I've learned to fight this tendency:
1.) Affirm --and practice -- the doctrine of total depravity. "What?? Of course we affirm that!" But do you keep that in mind when you listen and speak to others? Sin clouds everyone's mind -- even non-Calvinistic Christians -- and so we need to take Jesus' example of looking with compassion on those who disagree with us, keeping in mind that coming to grips with God's sovereignty sometimes takes years. It can be very offensive to the natural mind, and it takes patience.
2.) Listen. Listen more than you speak. Reflect and reiterate the views of the other person.
3.) Understand. Seek to understand the other person's views. If you think you understand, explain what you know to the other person and see if they agree. This can help avoid burning straw men, and can actually serve to strengthen your own doctrine, particularly if you argue their points with yourself.
4.) Agree to disagree. If the issue is not heretical, and Arminianism is NOT heretical, exersize Christian charity.
5.) Find common ground. For example, I don't take any fault with the Arminian's statement "Jesus died for the world" because they only mean sufficiency. Of course Jesus' blood is sufficient for all, but is there more? Did Jesus die to provide more than sufficiency? Read more...
UPDATE: The cool thing about doing this is it disarms them. "Oh, you agree with that point? Hmm." In their mind, they have you out to be worshiping a horrible god that doesn't give anyone a chance. By finding common ground, you can actually see them letting their guard down and giving you a chance to speak.
6.) Assume they have honest problems with our doctrines. I know there are some who disagree with what Calvin taught for dishonest reasons (for example, perhaps they don't like it because it bashes their pride), but I'll bet most are honest. They either don't understand it fully or have honest questions about apparent contradictions. I even have honest questions about apparent contradictions. So does John Piper, as he confessed in his messages on TULIP. You can listen to them on DesiringGod.org; I highly recommend them.
7.) Make it a Scriptural issue, not an experiential or logical issue. I cannot stress this enough. We must not agree with Calvin because of fallible, easily manipulated logic or our own subjective personal experience but because SCRIPTURE says so! This will put you in a much stronger state anyhow, as many non-Calvinistic Christians argue from easily manipulated human logic. Scripture overrules logic, always.
8.) Recognize that you could still be wrong. Even John Calvin, as meticulous as he was, surmised that the best theologians were still probably only 80% correct. What?? John Calvin was 80% right?? Where does that put me, at 40% on a good day? This knowledge will keep you humble and will keep you on the pursuit of more and more truth.
9.) Read and practice this.
10.) Read it again.
11.) Memorize John 13:35 and 2 Timothy 2:24-25. That second one is hard to memorize. I'm a bonehead when it comes to Scripture memorization, but I was able to memorize it with the help of one of the "Hide the Word" CDs.
12.) Affirm -- and practice -- the doctrine of total depravity. "Chris, you're repeating yourself." No, this time I am referring to your own state. You weren't born with TULIP tattooed across your forehead, and God did not reveal these doctrines to you because you were something special. You didn't figure this stuff out on your own, God had to give grace. Thank Him for revealing truth to you, and then keep that in mind as you talk to others. It will keep you humble.

To summarize:
1.) Affirm --and practice -- the doctrine of total depravity for them
2.) Listen
3.) Understand
4.) Agree to disagree
5.) Find common ground
6.) Assume they have honest problems with our doctrines
7.) Make it a Scriptural issue, not an experiential or logical issue
8.) Recognize that you could still be wrong
9.) Read and practice this
10.) Read it again
11.) Memorize John 13:35 and 2 Timothy 2:24-25
12.) Affirm -- and practice -- the doctrine of total depravity for yourself

If you do nothing else I suggest, practice humility. Seek to be like Christ above all. He has PERFECT doctrine, and it offends Him when we misrepresent Him, but He doesn't smack us around when we don't get it! He is humble, patient and loves us just the same. Seek to be like Christ.

Jen is right, by the way. Humility should be the by-product of being gripped by the doctrines of grace. If your interactions with others is not marked by humility, you have a mere head knowledge of these doctrines and have not applied them to your own heart.

"I'm a Christian" and a quarter can get you a cup of coffee

Many people these days claim to be a Christian. They usually anchor this claim on one or more of the following:
* They attend a Christian church
* They believe in God
* They believe in Jesus
* They said a prayer
* They raised their hand in a meeting in response to an invitation
* They came forward during a meeting in response to an invitation
* They 'asked Jesus into their heart'
* Their parents also claim to be Christians
* They were baptized
* They attended catechism classes and attended first communion
* They once had a very 'spiritual' experience

But are any of these sufficient? Here are five warning signs that should concern you; if you express any of these, please keep reading.

* When you accepted Christ, you had an immediate result, with impressive changes occurring quickly, followed by a quick fading away.
* You lack the life-giving and life-sustaining power of God's Word, regarding the Bible as dry and uninteresting.
* You have weak "roots," that is, depth of Godly character.
* You come into salvation with joy and gladness at first, but later lost that joy/gladness and "backslid."
* You actually believed for a season, but then ended up renouncing that belief later.

Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'" (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV)

These are chilling words. Many people assume that when they die, they will be welcomed into the gates of heaven, but Jesus here says that many who think they are saved will be cast out. Frightening!

So what makes the difference between a true and false Christian conversion? I think that motive is the key.

Here's a question to stimulate thought: Would you want to be in heaven if Jesus weren't there? You could have all the health you wanted. You could have all the relationships with friends you wanted. You could have a clean conscience. You could have your favorite toys and recreation - just no Jesus. Would you want to be there?

If your motive for becoming a Christian was to be given heaven or to avoid hell, you probably came to Christ for the wrong reasons and your conversion is in question.

Imagine you're standing as a defendant in a court room. The jury had been deliberating for hours, but it has just been announced that they are being called back in. Sweat trickles down your brow -- what will the verdict be? Minutes pass like hours as you wait for the jury to file in to the room. The walls feel like a coffin.

"Have you reached a verdict?"

"We have, your honor. On counts of rape, murder in the second degree, cocaine smuggling, prostitution, we find the defendant guilty, your honor."

The Judge turns to you and spells out the penalty: Death.

Just as the Judge is about to bring down the gavel...



--- Intermission ---

When you die, you will stand before the just Judge of the universe. Revelation 20:11-12 says, "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. (...) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. (...) And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done." (ESV)

What have you done in your life? Examine yourself with the Ten Commandments:

1. "You shall have no other gods before me."
Have you always put God first in your life? Jesus said to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength-- so much, that your love for your parents, brothers and sisters, friends, and even your own life is like hatred compared to your love and devotion for God. Have you ever failed to put Him first in your life?
2. "You shall not make for yourself any idol."
Who is God to you? Is he only a god of love and mercy who would never judge anyone and never cast anyone into Hell? If that's your god, then you're right. Your god couldn't cast anyone into Hell because he doesn't exist. He's a figment of your imagination. You've created a god in your own mind that you're more comfortable with. You may call it your "personal belief," but God calls it idolatry. It's the oldest sin in the Book, and the Bible warns that idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.
3. "You shall not take the name of God in vain."
Have you ever used God's name as a curse word? If you have, you've taken the holy name of God-- who gave you your life, your family, and everything precious to you-- and used it as a filthy, four-letter word. Hitler's name wasn't even despised enough to be used as a curse word! If you have used God's holy name in that manner, you are a blasphemer and the Bible says "God will not hold him guiltless who takes the name of the Lord in vain."
4. "Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy."
God commands that we set aside one day in seven. Have you ever been guilty of breaking this Commandment?
5. "Honor your father and your mother."
Have you always honored your parents in a way that's pleasing in the sight of God? Ask Him to remind you of the sins of your youth. You may have forgotten them, but God hasn't.
6. "You shall not murder."
Jesus warned "Whoever is angry with his brother without cause, is in danger of judgment," (Matthew 5:22) and the Bible says, "He who hates his brother is a murderer," (1 John 3:15). God sees hatred in the heart to be as wicked as murder. We can violate His Law by attitude and intent.
7. "You shall not commit adultery."
Jesus warned,"You have heard...'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Have you ever looked at another person with lust? The Bible says that adulterers and fornicators (those who have had sex before marriage) will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
8. "You shall not steal."
Have you ever stolen anything (even if it was something small)? The value of the thing stolen doesn't matter; petty theft is still theft. Have you ever taken anything that belonged to someone else (from the office, school, parents, etc.)? If you have, that makes you a thief.
9. "You shall not lie."
Have you ever told a lie? Then you are a liar. How many murders do you have to commit to be a murderer? Just one. If you have told even one lie, that makes you a liar. The Bible warns that all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8). You may not think deceitfulness is a serious sin, but God does.
10. "You shall not covet."
This means we should never desire anything that belongs to another person. Not their house, nor their car, nor their money, nor their wife, nor their lifestyle, nor anything that belongs to our neighbor.

Surely there is no one alive who has never broken just one of these great Commandments. And may I remind you that James 2:10 says, "whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it." (ESV)


With this in mind, let's return to the court room.


Just as the Judge is about to bring down the gavel, you object, "Your honor, may I say something?"

"Go ahead."

"I've heard that you're a good Judge. Surely you understand. I won't do it again."

The Judge says, "You're right, I am good, and because I'm good, I'm going to see to it that justice is carried out."

With that, the Judge lifts up his gavel. Just as the Judge is about to bring it down...

--- Intermission ---

Many people excuse their sins on the basis that "God is good and he'll overlook my sins; He understands..." But only a corrupt judge would overlook crimes.

God is good, but He is also just. He is righteous. He is holy, which means he will not tolerate any evil in His presence, including the evil in your heart.


With this in mind, let's return to the court room.


Just as the Judge is about to bring down the gavel, a soft-faced man steps into the court room. "Stop, your honor!"

The Judge pauses, gavel hanging in mid air.

"Your honor, I love that man. I know that he deserves to die, but I am willing to stand in his place. I have committed no crimes so I can pay for him. Nail me to the courtroom wall. Let my life blood drain out of me as payment, and let me die. Only let this man go free."

Dumbfounded, you watch as the Judge agrees and declares the soft-faced man guilty in your place. He is led over to a corner of the courtroom where a cruel whip with glass and broken pottery tears into his flesh 40 times. A crown of thorns is jammed into his brow.

He is then led over to the wall where the Judge himself nails him to the wall. Hours pass as in great agony the soft-faced man slowly dies, taking every breath in great agony as his bloody back scrapes against the rough wall.

"It is finished," the soft-faced man whispers, as he breathes his last. There is silence in the court room for several minutes.

The Judge turns to you and says, "You're free to go, son. This man took your penalty."

Shocked, stunned, you slowly gather your things and head for the door. The sunlight hits your eyes and you breathe in a sigh of relief, as if seeing the sun for the first time. Amazement fills your mind and you tell everyone about your experience in the courtroom. For the rest of your life, you remember with great love the soft-faced man. You want to be like him.



Are you a Christian? If so, why? Did you come because someone promised you heaven? Or joy? Or purpose? Or to fill a God-shaped hole in your heart? Do you even remember why?

Or did you come to be made righteous? To be made clean? To be forgiven of breaking God's Law, fearful of the judgment that would be due to you were you to die and stand before the just Judge of the universe?

I hope that after reading this, you will no longer hang your hat on a prayer prayed years ago, or your membership in a church, or anything else but Christ's finished work. You must repent of your Law breaking and trust in the Savior's work on your behalf! He is your only hope.