The recent hoopla about the documentary that touts to have found the burial tomb of Jesus, His wife Mary, and His son does not interest me. It’s just one more, in a constant string, of unfounded claims, that further solidifies the confidence of the unregenerate that Christianity is a mixed up myth.
What has interested me is the comments people have posted on online forums about the story. It reveals the ignorance, foolishness and, ultimately, the depraved nature of the unregenerate.
Scripture verses have been intertwined with comments gleaned from the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail and Fark.
“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).
Personally, I think all religion is a tool used to manipulate the masses and should be banned. There's no proof to any of their claims and the infighting between groups has caused this world strife for far too long.
“For the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21).
All religions through the centuries cover up and hide things to protect the institution. I welcome this story and leave it up to the public to decide, not religious leaders.
“Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead” (Ecclesiastes 9:3).
You can't have an intelligent argument with someone who believes in fantasies. I always say never trust a person over the age of 10 who has an imaginary friend. All religions rely on your suspension of actual thought to believe blindly what you are told (except Buddhism, where you will actually pay for your sins). Most the arguments these religious nut bags use are just regurgitated non-facts that they have been force fed from birth. If they did a seconds worth of research would realize they are deluded. There is no use talking to these robots. The world should just grab all zealots and put them on an island and have one big God battle royal. Who ever wins, get the benefit of immediate sterilization. This would do the world a heap of good.Come on people you are arguing about who's mythology is best. People are being killed over mythology. Why don't we have arguments about being rational?
“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8).
The only reason why this is controversial is that we aren't ready as a society to live without the comfort of organized religion, even though the weight of scientific proof indicates this is all myth tinged with some historical underpinnings. ‘Wouldn't it be wonderful if the documentary proved to be true in its discoveries? Two millenia (sic) of religious dogma down the drain in an instant! THAT would make the religious powers that be just a tad more humble...finally!’
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
This heresy is enough to make even Jesus turn over in his grave huh? I don’t know the facts from fiction but If the great Lord would be so kind as to come on down from his High Horse and enlighten us all a bit about what the real facts are and what the real truth is ... I wont hold my breath waiting.
“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity” (Ephesians 4:17-19).
The Christian religion is so full of holes it's worse than a slice of Swiss cheese.
“To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled” (Titus 1:15).
Omnipotence? Yeah, God and I are going to have a long conversation about some things. I believe in a God that will give me a fair hearing on this stuff, and my opinions in him. But if not, then it is better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven. Of course, I'll have to depose someone for that. And who do we blame for that senseless violence? God for not accepting me the way I am.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Abortion in India
Abortion is evil. There is no question about that. It also has horrible, unintended consequences. There are many, but here is one: A huge gender imbalance in developing countries.
The Washington Times is running a series on women in India. And it’s depressing.
“Early this year, the British medical journal Lancet estimated the male-female gap at 43 million. Worldwide, Lancet said, there are 100 million "missing girls" who should have been born but were not. Fifty million of them would have been Chinese and 43 million would have been Indian.[i]
Further, "What we're seeing now is genocide," says Sabu George, a New Delhi-based activist. "We will soon exceed China in losing 1 million girls a year." The date may already be here. In a report released Dec. 12, UNICEF said India is "missing" 7,000 girls a day or 2.5 million a year”[ii]
Many of the girls who aren't aborted in India are abused as young women. Ms. Duin tells of women dumped because their family is unable to provide an acceptable dowry, or tortured by their husbands because they ‘fail’ to produce a boy.
Physicians and government leaders, who ran into a problem as they started to advocate family planning to curb explosive population growth, have officially sanctioned the horror.
"But what they ran into was son preference," says Dr. Bedi. "Everyone had to have two sons in case one died. So the average family size remained at four or five children. The government was under pressure to do something." The only way to control population was to somehow guarantee sons. By the 1970s, women could determine their child's sex through amniocentesis. Although India outlawed this at government hospitals in 1979, "the private clinics had discovered this gold mine," he said. Ultrasound machines became popularized in the mid-1980s.”[iii]
“‘Feticide was invented, touted and sold by the medical profession, and it operates with the complete consent of all factors of our society," Dr. Bedi says. "Abortion has been sold as a patriotic duty. So, killing female babies was an extension of that.’”[iv]
He added, “‘By the early 1990s, no one who didn't want a daughter needed to have one.’”[v]
[i] Julia Duin, “India’s imbalance of sexes,” The Washington Times, 26 Feb. 2007. Accessed 27 Feb. 2007. Available: http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20070226-124608-6785r
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Julia Duin, “Bridge bound by traditions,” The Washington Times, 27 Feb. 2007. Accessed 27 Feb. 2007. Available: http://www.washtimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20070226-115011-6073r
[iv] Ibid.
[v] Ibid.
The Washington Times is running a series on women in India. And it’s depressing.
“Early this year, the British medical journal Lancet estimated the male-female gap at 43 million. Worldwide, Lancet said, there are 100 million "missing girls" who should have been born but were not. Fifty million of them would have been Chinese and 43 million would have been Indian.[i]
Further, "What we're seeing now is genocide," says Sabu George, a New Delhi-based activist. "We will soon exceed China in losing 1 million girls a year." The date may already be here. In a report released Dec. 12, UNICEF said India is "missing" 7,000 girls a day or 2.5 million a year”[ii]
Many of the girls who aren't aborted in India are abused as young women. Ms. Duin tells of women dumped because their family is unable to provide an acceptable dowry, or tortured by their husbands because they ‘fail’ to produce a boy.
Physicians and government leaders, who ran into a problem as they started to advocate family planning to curb explosive population growth, have officially sanctioned the horror.
"But what they ran into was son preference," says Dr. Bedi. "Everyone had to have two sons in case one died. So the average family size remained at four or five children. The government was under pressure to do something." The only way to control population was to somehow guarantee sons. By the 1970s, women could determine their child's sex through amniocentesis. Although India outlawed this at government hospitals in 1979, "the private clinics had discovered this gold mine," he said. Ultrasound machines became popularized in the mid-1980s.”[iii]
“‘Feticide was invented, touted and sold by the medical profession, and it operates with the complete consent of all factors of our society," Dr. Bedi says. "Abortion has been sold as a patriotic duty. So, killing female babies was an extension of that.’”[iv]
He added, “‘By the early 1990s, no one who didn't want a daughter needed to have one.’”[v]
[i] Julia Duin, “India’s imbalance of sexes,” The Washington Times, 26 Feb. 2007. Accessed 27 Feb. 2007. Available: http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20070226-124608-6785r
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Julia Duin, “Bridge bound by traditions,” The Washington Times, 27 Feb. 2007. Accessed 27 Feb. 2007. Available: http://www.washtimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20070226-115011-6073r
[iv] Ibid.
[v] Ibid.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Dogs, Newfoundland, Steyn
As I was walking home yesterday from church a very tiny dog started to follow me. I stopped and the dog licked my glove and then ran in front of me. When I started to walk again the dog paced back and forth across the sidewalk to stop me from continuing. The owner scooped the dog into his arms, and I went on my way.
I’m watching a documentary on The National and the reporter is interviewing Newfoundlanders. They sure speak with strong accents! It’s a wonderful reminder of how diverse this country is.
Mark Steyn’s book America Alone is apparently popular. There are 488 requests at the Toronto Public Library, 244 in Ottawa, 143 in Vancouver, 74 in Calgary and 48 at London, Ontario. My community’s library has 8 requests and zero books. It’s on order.
I’m watching a documentary on The National and the reporter is interviewing Newfoundlanders. They sure speak with strong accents! It’s a wonderful reminder of how diverse this country is.
Mark Steyn’s book America Alone is apparently popular. There are 488 requests at the Toronto Public Library, 244 in Ottawa, 143 in Vancouver, 74 in Calgary and 48 at London, Ontario. My community’s library has 8 requests and zero books. It’s on order.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Family: Isn’t it about time?
The title, of course, comes from the wonderful tagline in the commercials run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s also fitting because many members of the church devote much of their time to genealogy work.
I visited my grandparents this weekend and enjoyed the visit as usual. I especially enjoyed the stories they told of their parents.
My maternal grandfather told me his dad attended Moody Bible College for a while.
My paternal grandfather told me a story about his dad that I’ve heard before, but enjoy every time he tells it.
His dad desperately wanted to join the army in the First World War, but he was nearly blind in one eye. So, one night he broke into the Hamilton armoury and memorized the eye chart. The next day at his medical exam he passed the eye test with flying colours. Indeed, he did so well that he was assigned to be a signalman!
I visited my grandparents this weekend and enjoyed the visit as usual. I especially enjoyed the stories they told of their parents.
My maternal grandfather told me his dad attended Moody Bible College for a while.
My paternal grandfather told me a story about his dad that I’ve heard before, but enjoy every time he tells it.
His dad desperately wanted to join the army in the First World War, but he was nearly blind in one eye. So, one night he broke into the Hamilton armoury and memorized the eye chart. The next day at his medical exam he passed the eye test with flying colours. Indeed, he did so well that he was assigned to be a signalman!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Confession of Lancelot
A beautiful prayer by Bishop Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626).
CONFESSION
Essence beyond essence,
Nature increate, Framer of the world,
I set Thee, Lord, before my face, and I lift up my soul unto Thee.
I worship Thee on my knees, and humble myself under Thy mighty hand.
I stretch forth my hands unto Thee, my soul gaspeth unto Thee as a thirsty land.
I smite on my breast and say with the Publican,
God be merciful to me a sinner, the chief of sinners;
to the sinner above the Publican,
be merciful as to the Publican. Father of mercies,
I beseech Thy fatherly affection; despise me not, an unclean worm,
a dead dog, a putrid corpse, despise not Thou the work of Thine own hands,
despise not Thine own image though branded by sin.
Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean; Lord, only say the word, and I shall be cleansed. And Thou, my Saviour Christ, Christ my Saviour, Saviour of sinners,
of whom I am chief, despise me not, despise me not,
O Lord, despise not the cost of Thy blood, who am called by Thy Name;
but look on me with those eyes with which Thou didst look upon Magdalene at the feast,
Peter in the hall, the thief on the wood;—that with the thief I may entreat Thee humbly, Remember me, Lord, in Thy kingdom; that with Peter I may bitterly weep and say,
O that mine eyes were a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night; that with Magdalene, I may hear Thee say, Thy sins be forgiven thee,
and with her may love much, for many sins yea manifold have been forgiven me.
And Thou, All‑holy, Good, and Life‑giving Spirit, despise me not,
Thy breath, despise not Thine own holy things; but turn Thee again,
O Lord, at the last, and be gracious unto Thy servant.
Source: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/andrewes/devotions1.html
CONFESSION
Essence beyond essence,
Nature increate, Framer of the world,
I set Thee, Lord, before my face, and I lift up my soul unto Thee.
I worship Thee on my knees, and humble myself under Thy mighty hand.
I stretch forth my hands unto Thee, my soul gaspeth unto Thee as a thirsty land.
I smite on my breast and say with the Publican,
God be merciful to me a sinner, the chief of sinners;
to the sinner above the Publican,
be merciful as to the Publican. Father of mercies,
I beseech Thy fatherly affection; despise me not, an unclean worm,
a dead dog, a putrid corpse, despise not Thou the work of Thine own hands,
despise not Thine own image though branded by sin.
Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean; Lord, only say the word, and I shall be cleansed. And Thou, my Saviour Christ, Christ my Saviour, Saviour of sinners,
of whom I am chief, despise me not, despise me not,
O Lord, despise not the cost of Thy blood, who am called by Thy Name;
but look on me with those eyes with which Thou didst look upon Magdalene at the feast,
Peter in the hall, the thief on the wood;—that with the thief I may entreat Thee humbly, Remember me, Lord, in Thy kingdom; that with Peter I may bitterly weep and say,
O that mine eyes were a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night; that with Magdalene, I may hear Thee say, Thy sins be forgiven thee,
and with her may love much, for many sins yea manifold have been forgiven me.
And Thou, All‑holy, Good, and Life‑giving Spirit, despise me not,
Thy breath, despise not Thine own holy things; but turn Thee again,
O Lord, at the last, and be gracious unto Thy servant.
Source: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/andrewes/devotions1.html
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
A Facsimile of the World
The Church has a penchant for copying the world in an effort to draw the unaffiliated through the doors, down the aisle, into the tank and onto the membership roll.
A public relations ploy, a catchy slogan, or life-aid messages all combine, believe the church marketing advocates, to draw the crowds.
But a crowd isn’t what the Church should want.
Rather, we desire to see a body of regenerate believers gathered to worship the Triune God in Spirit and in Truth.
A photocopy (or facsimile) is never as good as the original. It’s slightly grainy, oftentimes faded, and sometimes (depending on the quality of the photocopy machine) difficult to read.
The same is true when the Church mimics the world.
Mark Dever said, “Let’s just admit the world does worldliness better than the church does, no matter how hard we try. If we want to please the world by being like the world, we lose.”[i]
Indeed, we do.
The hollowing out of the mainline churches in the last 30 years testifies to the tragedy that lies ahead for chameleon churches shaping their doctrine (or lack thereof), policies and worldview to conform to what they think their target audience wants; only to find that their audience prefer Sunday morning hikes over church.
So what does a Church offer by attempting to avoid the offensive parts of Christianity? Just the same as what the world offers, but packaged around a dead guy who desperately wants to be your friend to make you be a happy and confident person with a great spouse, obedient children, golf-playing suntanned parents, two-garage split level, and several vehicles.
Oh, and a healthy dog that doesn’t bark.
Os Guinness, in his strongly-titled book Dining with the Devil: The Megachurch Movement Flirts with Modernity, asks, “If the church of Christ a social reality truly shaped by a theological cause, namely the Word and Spirit of God? In sum, what – in practice – is the church’s decisive authority?”[ii]
He continues, “Behind this question lies the fact that the church of God ‘lets God be God’ and is the church only when she lives and thrives finally by God’s truths and God’s resources. If the church makes anything else the decisive principle of her existence, Christians risk living authorized lives of faith, exercising unauthorized ministries, and proclaiming an unauthorized gospel.”[iii]
The church cannot possibly reach the lost without proclaiming God’s truth, because, as the unregenerate, they remain enemies of God headed for hell.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism of Faith (keeping in mind the document was prepared to educate Christians, especially children and recent converts) is clear about this reality: “All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under His wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.”[iv]
May God’s Church stop trying to facsimile the world, and instead proclaim God’s Word!
[i] Mark Dever, The Message of the Old Testament, Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2006, p. 387.
[ii] Os Guinness, Dining with the Devil: The Megachurch Movement Flirts with Modernity, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1993, p. 35.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Thomas Vincent, The Shorter Catechism Explained from Scripture. (1674) Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2004, p. 63.
A public relations ploy, a catchy slogan, or life-aid messages all combine, believe the church marketing advocates, to draw the crowds.
But a crowd isn’t what the Church should want.
Rather, we desire to see a body of regenerate believers gathered to worship the Triune God in Spirit and in Truth.
A photocopy (or facsimile) is never as good as the original. It’s slightly grainy, oftentimes faded, and sometimes (depending on the quality of the photocopy machine) difficult to read.
The same is true when the Church mimics the world.
Mark Dever said, “Let’s just admit the world does worldliness better than the church does, no matter how hard we try. If we want to please the world by being like the world, we lose.”[i]
Indeed, we do.
The hollowing out of the mainline churches in the last 30 years testifies to the tragedy that lies ahead for chameleon churches shaping their doctrine (or lack thereof), policies and worldview to conform to what they think their target audience wants; only to find that their audience prefer Sunday morning hikes over church.
So what does a Church offer by attempting to avoid the offensive parts of Christianity? Just the same as what the world offers, but packaged around a dead guy who desperately wants to be your friend to make you be a happy and confident person with a great spouse, obedient children, golf-playing suntanned parents, two-garage split level, and several vehicles.
Oh, and a healthy dog that doesn’t bark.
Os Guinness, in his strongly-titled book Dining with the Devil: The Megachurch Movement Flirts with Modernity, asks, “If the church of Christ a social reality truly shaped by a theological cause, namely the Word and Spirit of God? In sum, what – in practice – is the church’s decisive authority?”[ii]
He continues, “Behind this question lies the fact that the church of God ‘lets God be God’ and is the church only when she lives and thrives finally by God’s truths and God’s resources. If the church makes anything else the decisive principle of her existence, Christians risk living authorized lives of faith, exercising unauthorized ministries, and proclaiming an unauthorized gospel.”[iii]
The church cannot possibly reach the lost without proclaiming God’s truth, because, as the unregenerate, they remain enemies of God headed for hell.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism of Faith (keeping in mind the document was prepared to educate Christians, especially children and recent converts) is clear about this reality: “All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under His wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.”[iv]
May God’s Church stop trying to facsimile the world, and instead proclaim God’s Word!
[i] Mark Dever, The Message of the Old Testament, Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2006, p. 387.
[ii] Os Guinness, Dining with the Devil: The Megachurch Movement Flirts with Modernity, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1993, p. 35.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Thomas Vincent, The Shorter Catechism Explained from Scripture. (1674) Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2004, p. 63.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Boiling Water And Resolutions
A customer yesterday was noticeably anxious as he explained to me that he heard about the boil water advisory after his children had drunk water. He learned of the advisory late Saturday even though the advisory went into effect on Friday night.
The advisory was made after a water pipeline burst Friday evening, which, incidentally, is just around the corner from me. Emergency workers did a great job of spreading the message. A fire fighter knocked on my door to tell me to boil my water; and a notice was left in the mailboxes of homes city-wide on Friday night.
But, the man, who is less well-off and lives in an apartment, didn’t get the notice.
The water advisory was lifted this afternoon, and it appears that the advisory was precautionary. Yet the incident reminded me once more of the extra challenges, many invisible, the poor endure.
A conference is currently ongoing in California called Resolved. It’s geared toward young adults and is based on Jonathan Edwards’ list of Resolutions. I have posted several of his resolutions on this blog. They are online, but I also have them in a book sitting beside my computer right now. His resolutions are a great reminder to me to make each day count for God’s glory.
Over the year I will write some of my own resolutions. I’ll start with this one.
Resolved, I will be more sensitive and more active in reaching out to the poor, so that tummies will be fed, hearts will be healed and God’s glory will be furthered.
The advisory was made after a water pipeline burst Friday evening, which, incidentally, is just around the corner from me. Emergency workers did a great job of spreading the message. A fire fighter knocked on my door to tell me to boil my water; and a notice was left in the mailboxes of homes city-wide on Friday night.
But, the man, who is less well-off and lives in an apartment, didn’t get the notice.
The water advisory was lifted this afternoon, and it appears that the advisory was precautionary. Yet the incident reminded me once more of the extra challenges, many invisible, the poor endure.
A conference is currently ongoing in California called Resolved. It’s geared toward young adults and is based on Jonathan Edwards’ list of Resolutions. I have posted several of his resolutions on this blog. They are online, but I also have them in a book sitting beside my computer right now. His resolutions are a great reminder to me to make each day count for God’s glory.
Over the year I will write some of my own resolutions. I’ll start with this one.
Resolved, I will be more sensitive and more active in reaching out to the poor, so that tummies will be fed, hearts will be healed and God’s glory will be furthered.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Theology of the Cross
“The theology of glory sees God everywhere, in glory and in power, and presumes to ascend self-confidently to God by means of experience, rational speculation, and merit. It is the religion of the natural man or woman. By contrast, the theology of the cross sees God only where God has revealed himself, particularly in the weakness and mercy of the suffering. Only when we learn to despair of ourselves, to suffer our own nakedness in God’s holy presence, to renounce our righteousness and listen only to God’s Word, are we enabled to recognize God as our Saviour rather than our just judge and holy enemy. We rise up to God in pride, while God descends to us in humility.”
Source: Michael Horton, Too good to be true; Finding hope in a world of hype. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006, (p. 37).
Source: Michael Horton, Too good to be true; Finding hope in a world of hype. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006, (p. 37).
Monday, February 05, 2007
Super Bowl Commericals
I watched the Super Bowl commercials this morning and was struck by how many were so incredibly crass. Many featured violence, inappropriate jokes and degrading ‘humour’
It’s a reminder that depraved minds become so dulled by sin, that they are unable to discern how vile their ideas actually are.
Marketing can be an incredibly creative and interesting endeavour; but for some reason almost all of the advertisers chose to employ tired slapstick comedy to sell their products.
Edit - I'm not the only one appalled by the commericals. Dr. Al Mohler addressed the topic on his radio program on Friday, while The Wall Street Journal published a story entitled, 'Watching Super Bowl Ads Could Make Viewers Cringe'
From the article: 'The increased emphasis in recent years on shocking viewers reflects "agencies and clients trying to get as much bang for the buck" for commercials that are often expensive to produce and place, says David Baldwin, executive creative director at Havas SA's McKinney + Silver.'
Source:
Suzanne Vranica, 'Watching Super Bowl Ads Could Make Viewers Cringe" The Wall Street Journal. 2 Feb. 2007. Accessed 5 Feb. 2007, B1. Available: http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117038490969695821-XplhEyew6qwyZd5mI3izIihAkHo_20080202.html?mod=blogs
It’s a reminder that depraved minds become so dulled by sin, that they are unable to discern how vile their ideas actually are.
Marketing can be an incredibly creative and interesting endeavour; but for some reason almost all of the advertisers chose to employ tired slapstick comedy to sell their products.
Edit - I'm not the only one appalled by the commericals. Dr. Al Mohler addressed the topic on his radio program on Friday, while The Wall Street Journal published a story entitled, 'Watching Super Bowl Ads Could Make Viewers Cringe'
From the article: 'The increased emphasis in recent years on shocking viewers reflects "agencies and clients trying to get as much bang for the buck" for commercials that are often expensive to produce and place, says David Baldwin, executive creative director at Havas SA's McKinney + Silver.'
Source:
Suzanne Vranica, 'Watching Super Bowl Ads Could Make Viewers Cringe" The Wall Street Journal. 2 Feb. 2007. Accessed 5 Feb. 2007, B1. Available: http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117038490969695821-XplhEyew6qwyZd5mI3izIihAkHo_20080202.html?mod=blogs
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Quotes of the Day
Apparently a restaurant in Toronto was planning on increasing the money it deducts from its servers’ pay cheques.
According to an article in The Toronto Star, the memo circulated to restaurant servers states: "It is our intention to collect an increasing amount of our costs associated with giving you as a server the opportunity to work at Joe Badali's and receive gratuities from our guests."
Quotes like that make me grateful I work for a good employer.
Speaking of work, I discussed my experience applying to jobs with a co-worker recently. She recommended I visit potential employers, so they could ‘experience Trevor’.
I thought that was funny.
Source: Kerry Gillespie, “Restaurant backs off, staff keep 20¢ raise” The Toronto Star, 2 Feb. 2007. Accessed 2 Feb. 2007. Available: http://www.thestar.com/News/article/177527
Friday, February 02, 2007
Matthew 16:18
The New Testament makes clear that God has not left His Great Commission to the uncertainties of the human will. The Lord said from the beginning, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).
World missions is supremely the work of the risen Lord Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Jesus put it like this: “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.” (John 10:16). This is the great missionary text in the Gospel of John. It is full of hope and power. It means that Christ has people besides those already converted. This is a reference to the doctrine of election.
God chooses who will belong to His sheep, and they are already His before Jesus calls them. “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37; cf. 6:44-45; 8:47; 10:26-27; 17:6; 18:37). These sovereign ‘wills’ of the Lord Jesus guarantee His invincible engagement in world missions.
Source: John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad! The Supremacy of God in Missions. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004, 4th ed. pp. 54-55.
World missions is supremely the work of the risen Lord Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Jesus put it like this: “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.” (John 10:16). This is the great missionary text in the Gospel of John. It is full of hope and power. It means that Christ has people besides those already converted. This is a reference to the doctrine of election.
God chooses who will belong to His sheep, and they are already His before Jesus calls them. “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37; cf. 6:44-45; 8:47; 10:26-27; 17:6; 18:37). These sovereign ‘wills’ of the Lord Jesus guarantee His invincible engagement in world missions.
Source: John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad! The Supremacy of God in Missions. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004, 4th ed. pp. 54-55.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
CS. Lewis On Prayer
"Prayer is irksome. An excuse to omit it is never unwelcome. When it is over, this casts a feeling of relief and holiday over the rest of the day. We are reluctant to begin. We are delighted to finish. While we are at prayer, but not while we are reading a novel or solving a cross-word puzzle, any trifle is enough to distract us.
The odd thing is that this reluctance to pray is not confined to periods of dryness. When yesterday’s prayers were full of comfort and exaltation today’s will still be felt as, in some degree, a burden.
Now the disquieting thing is not simply that we skimp and begrudge the duty of prayer. The really disquieting thing is it should have to be numbered among duties at all. For we believe that we were created ‘to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.’ And if the few, the very few minutes we now spend on intercourse with God are a burden to us rather than a delight what then?
By the very constitution of our minds as they now are – whatever they may have been when God first made man – it is difficult for us to concentrate on anything which is neither sensible (like potatoes) nor abstract (like numbers).
The painful effort which prayer involves is no proof that we are doing something we were not created to do. If we were perfected, prayer would not be a duty, it would be a delight. Some day, please God, it will be. I am therefore not really deeply worried by the fact that prayer is at present a duty, and even, an irksome one."
Source: C.S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer. London: Geoffrey Bliss, 1963. (pp 145-149).
The odd thing is that this reluctance to pray is not confined to periods of dryness. When yesterday’s prayers were full of comfort and exaltation today’s will still be felt as, in some degree, a burden.
Now the disquieting thing is not simply that we skimp and begrudge the duty of prayer. The really disquieting thing is it should have to be numbered among duties at all. For we believe that we were created ‘to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.’ And if the few, the very few minutes we now spend on intercourse with God are a burden to us rather than a delight what then?
By the very constitution of our minds as they now are – whatever they may have been when God first made man – it is difficult for us to concentrate on anything which is neither sensible (like potatoes) nor abstract (like numbers).
The painful effort which prayer involves is no proof that we are doing something we were not created to do. If we were perfected, prayer would not be a duty, it would be a delight. Some day, please God, it will be. I am therefore not really deeply worried by the fact that prayer is at present a duty, and even, an irksome one."
Source: C.S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer. London: Geoffrey Bliss, 1963. (pp 145-149).
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