Archive for November, 2005
Today in History: Nov 24, 1642
November 24, 2005 5:45 pmGive Thanks, Part 2
11:46 amGive Thanks, Part 1
November 23, 2005 9:59 pmTalk To Yourself
8:40 am
I am reading John Ensor’s book, Experiencing God’s Forgiveness. On pages 128-130, Mr. Ensor explains that,
“When Christ went to the cross, He died to clear not only the path for God’s mercy but also the path for our conscience to be purified.”
Sounds easy enough, right? But how does this really work, when we are so often so aware of the shame of sin? Sometimes we know that, in principle our sins are forgiven, but our consciences continue to work overtime to remind us of the guilt that we should feel for sin. Mr. Ensor explains how to have an inner conversation to bring our consciences in line with God’s judgment:
“If my conscience objects to my confidently drawing near to God to praise or petition Him, then I must be willing to stand on the truth of the gospel and contend for my faith.
“Conscience shouts, ‘I object.’
“I reply, ‘On what basis?’
“Conscience says, ‘You did such-and-such. How can you possibly think God doesn’t see it?’
“Faith says, ‘You have a good point. I will not deny the facts. But I ask, ‘Was it or was it not a sin for which Christ died? If yes, was it or was it not paid in full by Him out of His great love for me?’ Our conscience will soon withdraw the objection and agree with us that we ought to draw near to God and say, ‘Thank you, Father, for paying for that awful sin my conscience has just brought to mind. I rejoice all the more deeply in your lovingkindness.’ We can truly say, ‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 8:1). Such is the cleansing power of faith on a stained conscience.”
Try it. An inner conversation like this while protect you against condemnation and make grace amazing to you!
Today in History: Nov 22, 1963
November 22, 2005 10:04 pm
Photo: www.Whitehouse.gov
42 years ago today, President John F. Kennedy was assasinated in Dallas, Texas. You may have heard your parents tell the story of ‘where they were’ when they heard the news that JFK was shot.
Every generation has certain national tragedies burned into their collective memories. Just as our parents will always remember JFK, my childhood was marked by the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. None of us will forget where we were when we saw planes flying into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
How should we think about days like today? We make a big deal of commemorating fond memories: we sing happy birthday, we send anniversary cards, we even roll out parades for major national holidays. But what about tragedies, national or personal? How should we, as Christians, think about days like this? I think it is good for us to seize days like this to remember:
- The world in which we live is ruined, tainted, corrupted by sin. Any hope we place in this world will ultimately be disappointed. 2 Corinthians 5:2, 4 reminds us that our bodies are mere ‘tents,’ in which we groan as we look forward to heaven. So we shouldn’t be surprised by tragedy. Theologian D.A. Carson says, “All you have to do is live long enough, and you will suffer.”
- God gives us grace through Jesus Christ to endure hardship and tragedy in this world. In fact, Jesus himself was acquainted with suffering and is able to help us because of what he experienced: “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)
- One day, Christians will enjoy heaven, free from the tears, pain, and trial that come from sin. I love these words from Revelation 21:3-4 : “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’â€
- In the meantime, we can pray. Philippians 4:5-7: “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
There is a lot more we could say, but this is a good start. I’m telling you this because I want you to be prepared. Tragedy is inevitable in a fallen world, and I hope that I am able to prepare you to respond to the temptations to fear, worry, and unbelief with confident, God-centered trust and prayer.
Found The Face
5:32 pmFor those of you who couldn’t find the face in the coffee beans, here it is. Congratulations to all those who found it unassisted!
On Painting
November 21, 2005 6:00 pmToday In History: Nov 19, 1863
November 19, 2005 5:13 pm
Photo: Wikipedia.
142 years ago today, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech to dedicate the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lincoln followed one Edward Everett, who spoke for more than two hours. Lincoln’s speech, at 272 words, lasted barely more than two minutes. Despite his claim that “the world will little note nor long remember what we say here,” this oration is widely considered one of the finest speeches ever given in the English language.
Here is the complete text. You would be wise to read this carefully; it represents a critical moment in our nation’s history. Sadly, people don’t write like this anymore.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.Source: Wikipedia.
Try reading it out loud, with feeling. That’s an enjoyable experience.
Find The Face
7:10 amMy sister sent me this picture. She said it is a test: how long does it take you to find the face in the coffee beans? Less than three seconds, you are a strongly right-brained person (creative and stuff like that). Five to ten seconds, you’re pretty normal. More than ten seconds, you are strongly left-brained (logical and so on).
Not a very scientific test, but the picture made me laugh. Some days I drink so much coffee that this could be me. Enjoy.
For The Outdoorsman Who Has Everything
November 17, 2005 7:59 pm
Getting started on your Christmas shopping? Here is the perfect gift that adventurer in your life: The Outdoor Bible. Made of 100% waterproof, tear-resistant material, this New American Standard Bible is advertisted as rugged and packable.
Convenient size fits nicely in most stockings.
