Worship
The problem is that American Christians do not have a heart that is thirsting for an experience with God, eager to express gratitude and praise to Him, and open to His response to their efforts to convey humility, appreciation, acknowledgment of His love and character, and joy in knowing and serving Him.
-George Barna
Warden, Michael D. (Editor), Experience God in Worship
Mighty To Save
Laura’s music is compelling and rich in declaring God’s sovereignty. Not only is her music profound, her testimony to His faithfulness is real and hopeful in a great time of need. Her message points to Him.
www.laurastorymusic.com
This video was publish in March, yet I was compelled to post it here for you to see.
The great reformation hymn “A Mighty Fortress”
As we approach Reformation Sunday, I encourage all to requaint themselves with this great hymn, a banner for the reformers and a tribute to the martyrs, and allow it to inspire them yet again.
Having had the priviledge of singing Luther’s words in the church in Wittenberg where he nailed the 95 Theses, these truths combined with the powerful German chorale melody will always humble me and renew my awe for God.
This hymn is certainly not the only reformation hymn but represents the impact of the reformation through its text and usage (congregational): 1)Re-establishing prominence of the Scripture; 2) Clarifying the means of salvation; 3) The restoration of congregational singing.
Oh, and a bulwark is simply a safe, guarded place; a refuge, a fortress.
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
Alternate translation:
A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need that hath us now overtaken.
The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight; on Earth is not his equal.
With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, who is this? Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabbath Lord, and there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.
Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us.
This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, he’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone, they yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
Greater Than Jonah
While You live, stand on your head!
I can remember as a little boy standing on my hand. These days, I have given up the acrobatic feat! I suppose my head is not flat enough! Or perhaps it’s an age thing? What I remember when I stood on my head, is that everything appeared to be hanging on something else. Chairs, tables, lamps all appeared to be held in place by some invisible force. Things are not what they appear to be. Of course, I did not stand on my head for long. Otherwise I am certain I would have passed out!
These are anxious days. There is a fog of uncertainty that hangs in the air. We live on the brink of economic collapse. The sky could fall any time, so it appears.
May I suggest some wise, but unusual counsel: Stand on your head! Try it. No not literally (only if you are up to the challenge!), but figuratively or better yet spiritually. We need to live “standing on our heads,” so that we can see things from a different perspective and be reminded and encouraged that everything “hangs on God!”
As you stand on your head, you will discover, as you look within the mirror of God’s Word, that He, Almighty God is sovereign (Daniel 2:20-23), that God is good (Psalm 100:5), that God is faithful (Lamentations 3:21-23) and that in every situation, that God is at work to achieve His glorious purpose (Romans 8:28).
A few years ago, a member in our church named Annie shared a thought with me that was profound. I wrote in down in one of my bibles. She said, “trials are opportunities for God to prove His faithfulness.” Don’t misunderstand. God doesn’t have to prove anything. He’s God! Yet, God uses trials to show us that He can accomplish amazing and wondrous things within our lives, if we unreservedly place our hurts and hopes in His hands.
So go ahead. I double dare you. Stand on your head! As a matter of fact, why not go ahead and start living that way!!
All-satisfying Reality in the Universe
If God’s glory is the only all-satisfying reality in the universe, then to try to do good for people, without aiming to show them the glory of God and ignite in them a delight in God, would be like treating fever with cold packs when you have penicillin.
—John Piper, God’s Passion for His Glory, p. 36.
Voddie Baucham and Margaret Feinberg… sticking to the text
More about the supremacy of scripture and less about Palin. Voddie! Voddie!
Spectacles
As I have been reading for my Systematic Theology class, I came to a point in our discussion about the human limitations in our knowledge of God and the struggle to wrap our minds around His incommunicable attributes. I struggle a bit with taking the bounds of human language as something in which God can not communicate who He is. Yet, I see the limitations of the human “reasoning” simply because we do not hold certain attributes in which only a Transcendent and Immanent God has. Calvin is known to draw on the analogy of spectacles in comparison to how scripture works in this regard. It brings into better view the observations we make about the world around us and wrestling with doctrine such as the creation. I’m not too familiar with Calvin’s use of this analogy, but of course the writer in our systematic book refers to Genesis and Institutes as a starting point. He summarizes this concept by stating this: ” The Scriptures make plain to us what we otherwise would not see, just as spectacles enable us to overcome deficient vision.” 1
So, why do I bring this up. Sure I need to do a bit more research on Calvin’s use of this analogy and I plan to, but I note this issue simply because of the battle ragging over truth in our society today. Ideology was once described to me as a spectacle almost like a pair of glasses in which we look at the world. So in our world, we have many different pairs of glasses you can put on and look at the world through. The difference here between this definition of ideology and Calvin must be made clear. Calvin is using spectacle more like a focusing tool and the philosopher uses the spectacle as different shades of sunglasses.
Calvin is pointing out what I think is the beauty of how scripture strips away ideology and reveals what is truth. In other words, scripture is not a lens in which we gain a different perspective. It is a lens in which all is revealed for what the creator made it to be. Sunglasses don’t bring anything into focus, they simply keep things out of focus and even block out the piercing light the reveals. (i’m also thinking different colors here as well. I see the limitations of the analogy for ideology but I think it makes the stark difference even more clear) So speculation is something we are not at liberty to make with the lens of scripture. In order to see anything for what it truly is. Scripture must be the lens by which we bring into focus our surroundings.
As I work through systematic theology, I’m humbled by these topics. Yet I’m encouraged to know that God has sought after us in such a way that we may reverently draw close to Him as He makes himself known to us. John Piper once described the study, a bit like taking out the precious jewels of the faith and carefully curating them. (I don’t mean to botch his statements but I recall him saying something like this in one of his messages. If you have heard this message and have a more eloquent way of saying this please let me know) This is what I have taken this to be like. How magnificent is our God that we may know His name.
1: Akin, Daniel L. A Theology for the Church P.256
That’s Why It’s Called Grace
This is great…
By Grace… through faith… not of ourselves!
8 For (U)by grace you have been saved (V)through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is (W)the gift of God; 9(X)not as a result of works, so that (Y)no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, (Z)created in (AA)Christ Jesus for (AB)good works, which God(AC)prepared beforehand so that we would (AD)walk in them. ~Ephesians 2:8-10
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