What is this world coming to?

I often ask the same question as I look at our world. As I study reformation history in school, I am reminded that the loss of morals in our country is not new to history, only new to the U.S. God's word tells me that I am part of the problem excepting God's grace, and I partake of the solution only out of His goodness!

Ephesians 2:1-10
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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.

God's sense of humor?

I can't help but wonder if God was laughing the day he made this rainbow!

The Psalmist tells us that the heavens declare God's handiwork, and maybe this is a picture of how we, in our fallen state, work to ruin all that God has made beautiful!

Or, maybe it's a reminder of God's common grace experienced through indoor plumbing!

Ready for Winter

We put Kate in her new winter hat today. And I think she learned to smile at the camera at the same time! This was just another one of those days of kate doing something new, and those days always bring great joy to us!

 

Playing with Picasa

Kate the Theologian

Kate the theologian

Our Children

"For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother
conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart."
Psalm 51:3-6

It's not our environment that makes us sinful, but it can be our environment that moves us to perpetuate that sin in our lives. As humans, we are born in sin according to God's word. We are born into a state Paul calls, "Dead in sin". The Holy Spirit renews us by giving us a new heart, but we must be concerned with fostering the growth of our new life. Our fear in today's society is being "legalistic". But we must remember that doing all we can to be pleasing to God isn't legalism, but rather it is being a child of God adopted into the family.

Children are a gift from the Lord, and it is our responsibility to raise them in the covenant community teaching them about God as we go. We are to do all we can to keep them from the evils of this world so they are not corrupted at a young age, but shielding them from opportunities for sin isn't our only endeavor. We must prepare them to stand firm in the Lord.

We must TEACH our children about God. We must SHOW them how to live "in Christ". We must TALK to them about God every day. We must MODEL the word of God before them day and night. Praise God for His grace that enables us to do this!

 

I think the baptism wore her out.

Gumbunny and Kate at Panera Bread. This is after the baptism. Oh, the glorious baptism...We all remember that day!

Peggy, Kate, and the horse at Hilton Head.

Introspection

Our world continually teaches us to examine ourselves to see how we can improve upon ourselves. Below is a quote I read the other day (can't remember where from), but I think it speaks great truth.

"Introspective activities are usually done in such a way as to bring glory to man rather than God"


We need to ensure that our self examinations are done in light of God's word. We are sinners deserving of nothing but the wrath of God. Christ took the wrath we deserve upon Himself; thus, I am granted entrance into heaven as a free gift.

The Spirit of God applies our redemption to us and sanctifies us causing us to look upon our sin and repent of it. Introspection is good, but we must note our likelihood of falling short of God's glory in all activities of life. Glorification is complete, but not yet realized, "for those he predestined, he also called, and those he called he also justified, and those he justified, he also glorified..."

That's what it means to you

Ever heard this? "That's what it means to you, but there are different ways to interpret it."

I've heard this especially when discussing scripture. And yes, scripture may have different interpretations, but it doesn't mean interpretations other than the truth are right. They are dead wrong. Why do we insist on an individualism in our society that makes conformity to real absolute truth a negative.

We want unity and peace so we confirm everyone's ignorance as truth so as to not offend anyone. I have one thing to say about that. Please offend me. I want to know the truth, and I definitely want to know when I'm not in it.

Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the father except through me."

Looks like Jesus holds to a single absolute truth.

Claiming my Feed

No Need to Click Here - I'm just claiming my feed at Feedster