Random thoughts from a cluttered mind

Yes, the year is coming to a close. 2011 is nearly finished and a brand new year is just a couple days away. 2012. My goodness; I remember when I used to dwell on the year 2000 being such a huge occasion. There were times in high school I realized that I'd turn 42 during the year 2000. Now it's twelve years after that and, Lord willing, still more to come.

It's interesting how we make such a big deal out of New Year's Day. For millions, perhaps, it's just another day. Calendars are hardly used because one day more means another day they didn't die of disease, starvation, war or some other malady. For over 1 billion Chinese, our new year isn't the right one. But for us, especially here in America, we'll market anything until it breaks.

I don't spend a great deal of time reflecting back upon previous years (probably to my detriment, I suppose). Journaling has been a discipline(?) I've yet to conquer. 

However, one goal I set for myself was to read the Bible through this past year. I began the year using Prof. Grant Horner's Bible Reading Plan. It was intense and I'll confess, I fell off this plan after about four months.

However, at the end of the summer, I discovered another reading plan, one in which you read through the entire Bible in 90 days. As I looked at my calendar, I realized I could do this in the final 100 days of the year. And I have! With two days to spare, I completed reading through my ESV Single-Column Reference Bible. It required about 13 pages per day. Some days this would take about 40 minutes. On other days (1 Chronicle Days), less than 30 minutes was needed.

Some have asked me: do you absorb anything by reading that fast? Let's put it this way: meditation was not my goal in this personal challenge; getting through was. Reading in this fashion gives one a very big picture on the whole story, but you don't have time to dive in deep at all. That comes through other times of study and reflection.

I might try this again, but not this year, at least. In 2012, I'm returning to Grant Horner's reading plan and joining with 100s, perhaps even 1,000s of others, following this plan together. Tim Challies issued the challenged a couple of weeks ago. A Facebook group has been assembled and we'll be posting updates, discoveries, encouragements and observations on occasion. If you'd like to learn more, check out Tim's challenge, Horner's system, the Facebook page, even a sample of bookmarks to be used.

Here's to reading God's Word together.

 I'm "technically" on vacation for most of this week, so my posts will probably reflect that complete lack of serious thought and goofiness that I'm prone to.

Today's the day after Christmas, but just to keep a bit of that Christmas spirit in the air, I'm providing some Christmas jocularity. Here's hoping you'll still keep that "Ho! Ho! Ho!" in your heart:

I grew up in an era in which many businesses were closed on Sundays; not all, but the vast majority were not open. I've lived in a state that once had "blue laws" (curious name for it; and no, I don't have time to "Google it" to find out it's origins) that mandated most businesses be closed on Sundays. I think it's a good thing, but not one that necessarily honors the Sabbath or the Lord's Day, but that's another post.

Cornerstone EFC will be open this Sunday; it is the Lord's Day, after all. And it won't be open for business; that's not what we do in any way shape or form. If it were, then Jesus would have every right to come turning over tables and coffee kiosks, toss out the vendors, book-sellers and muffin-makers (but that's another post as well). No, we'll be open to gather as one of many local manifestations of the Body of Christ on this coming Lord's Day. It's what we do every Lord's Day (unless the weather prohibits us, as it's done 3-4 times in my 14+ year history at Cornerstone).

Oh, and by the way, just in case it's slipped your notice, it also happens to be Christmas Day. What a privilege to worship our Lord and Savior, who "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2.6–11, ESV). It is such a joyous privilege to be able to worship God our Father at any time, but especially each Sunday. And when that Sunday also happens to include Christmas, it's even better. Christmas makes us confront our Christology. We, like Peter, get asked, "But who do you say that I am?" in a very unique way when Christmas rolls around.

Should not every true Christian long to worship his or her Savior at all times, but especially on the Lord's Day, gathered with the saints in His presence? Oh, how our voices should rise in praise of Him. "By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin n the flesh." Gloria in excelsis Deo!

I feel woefully sorry for churches who have seen fit to close their doors this Sunday. It sends a distinct message: "Yup, Jesus is important to us; just not as important as presents and vacation and family and traveling and having a day off and watching TV and eating and all that other stuff. Yup, sure do love me some Jesus on Christmas Day."

If you're close enough, come join us this Sunday at 10 AM. 

Come, let us worship the King––Jesus the Savior is born: for the Lord will reign over all the earth! Come, let us worship the King––Jesus the Savior is born: for the Lord is great and greatly to be praised through all the earth––Let us worship the King!

The Adult Bible Class at Cornerstone has been going through the books of Romans. We've just completed chapter 8. Many might argue that this is, perhaps, the greatest chapter in all the Bible. I could, very well, add my voice to theirs. 

One of the commentaries I've used to help my thinking and study during this series is the Baker New Testament Commentary Series by William Henriksen and Simon Kistemaker. I highly commend it to you. Henriksen ends his portion on chapter 8 by setting it to poetry. I found several hymn tunes to which the meter of this rendition would fit. You might find this very encouraging and helpful, along with memorizing the entire chapter from Scripture.

Romans 8 in Poetry
William Henriksen

Verses 1–4

For those who in Jesus their refuge have found
There’s no condemnation. Their blessings abound.
For through what Christ Jesus has done within me
The Spirit from sin and from death set me free.

For that which the law, by our nature laid low,
Could never achieve and much less could bestow,
God wrought, when, in order to save us from sin,
He sent his own Son our salvation to win.

God did this in order that Law’s just demand
In us might be met, and we righteous might stand,
And show by our conduct from day unto day,
That, shunning the flesh, we his Spirit obey.

5–8     For those who have chosen the flesh as their Guide,
In things of the flesh, not the Spirit, take pride.
But those who have chosen the Spirit as Guide
In things of the Spirit, not flesh, do take pride.

Now those who take pride in the flesh sure should know
That flesh and its fruit, death, together will go.
So, too, those who honor the Spirit will see
That life and deep peace their requital will be.

For fav’ring the flesh will mean hating the Lord,
Since keeping God’s statutes it cannot afford.
And it should be obvious to those in the flesh
That pleasing both God and one’s sin do not mesh.

9–11     But not in the flesh, my dear brothers, are you.
The Spirit who’s in you proves this to be true.
If one lacks the Spirit, it sure would be wrong
To say this this man could to Jesus belong.

But if Christ is in you, then though, due to sin,
The body may die, yet the Spirit within
Is life and brings life, so that you before God
Stand sinless and pure through the ransom Christ brought.

And if you’re indwelt by the Spirit of God
Who raised Chris from death, then that Father who brought
To life the dead Jesus will also restore
Your bodies from death. They’ll be living once more.

12–16     Therefore, my dear brothers, our duty is clear:
To live by the standard of flesh while you’re here
Will lead but to death. It’s your duty to give
The deathblow to sin’s shameful ways. Then you’ll live.

It is by the strength of the Spirit alone
That this is successful and this can be done.
For all God’s true children, with him as their Head,
Are by the blest Spirit of God being led.

You’re children indeed, for you’ve not received
The spirit of slavery when you believed.
No longer does sickening dread you oppress,
With joy you your God as your Father address.

The Spirit fears witness, and not from afar,
But from close within us, that children we are,
Confirming the voice of our own heart and mind,
And leaving uncertainty far, far behind.

17, 18     And if we are children, then, too, we are heirs
Of God and with Christ, for the person who shares
With Christ in his sufferings must certainly know
That on him indeed God will glory bestow.

For this I consider; of this I am sure!
That sufferings and hardships which now we endure
Are nothing compared with the glory which then
Will shine form within us, ne’er leave us again.

19–22     And this is established that Nature entire
For the revelation of saints does aspire,
For not by its own choice did Nature grow dim.
‘tWas man who transgressed, and the Lord punished him

By rendering Nature unable to cope
With enemies many; yet not without hope
That Nature itself, though now bound to despair
One day will the freedom of God’s children share.

Now all of creation, all Nature, ‘tis known,
In anguish of childbirth does suffer and groan.
23–25     Not only is this true but we must confess:
We also do groan, who the Spirit possess.

Yes, we also groan, even though we are free,
Enriched by the Spirit, as firm guarantee
That also our bodies the Lord will display
As dear to himself on that glorious day.

In hope we were saved, for its object, though near,
Is hidden from view and does not yet appear.
But when we no longer of it are deprived,
It stops to be object of hope; ‘t has arrived!

But since for the present we hope for still more,
For fulness of bliss which for us is in store,
We long for these blessings, so rich and so great,
And therefore with patient endurance we wait.

26, 27     The Spirit, too, knows that we sinners are weak,
And often unable to find what we seek,
Not knowing at certain times just how to pray:
The words will not come; we don’t know what to say.

The Spirit then helps us, for he knows our need.
With unspoken groanings he does intercede.
The Searcher of hearts knows the Spirit’s intent;
He’ll ever agree, and the Spirit’s plea grant.

28–30     Therefore we conclude that to those who love God
All things, in a sense not restricted but broad,
Co-operate fully, in line with God’s plan
Established and ordered before time began.

In line with this program or purpose of old
The lovers of God were effectively called.
For whom he foreknew he did also elect
The image of Jesus, his Son, to reflect.

In this way it was that God did foreordain
That Christ should become and forever remain
Close linked to his people, firstborn among all,
Yet humble, and willing them brothers to call.

Resulting is therefore salvation’s firm chain:
Those whom God foreknew he did, too, foreordain,
And those foreordained he did afterward call,
And justify later and glorify all.

31–34    How then shall we answer? How shall we reply?
If he who is for us is God from on high?
Who, now, of all creatures against us can be
When he who is for us is certainly he?

His love is so matchless, so tender his care
That even his own Son he never did spare.
For us, wretched sinners, he gave him to die.
How will he not with him our own needs supply?

Who dares to bring charges against God’s elect?
Whom God declares pure, and will ever protect?
Who’s really so bold that he dares to condemn
The children of God when he justifies them?

It’s Jesus who died, and what’s more, who was raised
From death to God’s right hand. Let heaven be praised!
Christ Jesus this place of trust occupies thus.
It’s he who is now interceding for us.

35, 36     Who then can he be who will tear us apart
From Christ and his love, which was ours from the start?
Distress, persecution, pain due to the Word?
Or famine or nakedness, peril or sword?

It is as the Psalmist declared long ago:
“Each day we face death and are being brought low.
As sheep that are led to the slaughter are we,
For doing thy will and for honoring thee.”

37–39     And yet it’s a fact that by these very things
Which might seem to harm us God victory brings
To us whom he loves, so that conquerors we,
No, rather, far better than this, we should be.

For this I know well, and on this I can count
That nothing at all can forever be found
That causes the Savior his own to forsake,
Twixt him and his dear ones division can make.

Not death and not life and not angels above
Can ever exclude us from God’s lasting love.
Nor present nor future can ever avail
To cause that great love for his dear ones to fail.

Not demons or powers, not depth and not height
Can weaken its glow or diminish its might
No creature can part us, whatever the sort,
From God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Baker’s New Testament Commentary: Romans,
Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993. pages 294-298

This portion of Scripture, set to poetry, can be sung to a variety of hymn tunes, set in an 11.11.11.11 meter. Examples:

How Firm A Foundation

Immortal, Invisible

Away in a Manger (both versions)

A good friend of mine, Tim S., sent me these. Gave me a good chuckle. I hope it will do the same for you.

Last evening, I went with my son, Jonathan, and over two dozen students from his high school to see Les Misèrables at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. I've never seen "Les Mis," as it is affectionally known by those "in the know." I wasn't even very familiar with the story line, as it turns out. I was in for a treat

I won't take time to go over the entire plot; you can do that on your own, if you've never seen this grand production. Jean Valjean, a man done a great injustice and in turn, commits an injustice, is the featured character. His chief antagonist, Jolvert, is a man driven by the law. He wants only justice and knows no mercy. Valjean, is shown a great mercy and from that moment on, determines to change his life and show justice and mercy to the poor and downtrodden. Mercy and forgiveness shine throughout.

I'm not sure I could classify this as a "Christian" story in any true sense of the word. Yes, there are Christian themes throughout. Yet the one most noticeably missing is Christ Himself. Oh sure, He's mentioned very briefly, but not in any true gospel sense. Nevertheless, the story is compelling.

Last Monday I mentioned some emails I began receiving via the comments section at an old, unused blog I had over 5 years ago (I never shut it down; should have, but lost the user name/password info and just let it be). The nature of these emails has been hilarious, sad, frustrating and a bit aggravating. I've since discovered how to avoid them. 

I'm going to give just a few quotes from these so you can see the interpretational loopholes these people go through to make you think they know what they're talking about.

When God’s plans for the ages of time (eonian times) have been accomplished, every experience of man will, under the guidance of His wisdom, work together with every other experience for man’s highest ultimate good, as thus redound to God’s honor and glory.”

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared…"

1 Timothy 4.1–2, ESV

"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness…"

1 Timothy 4.7, ESV

"Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth…"

1 Timothy 6.3–5, ESV

I'm not sure how it happens; it just does. In spite of all my perfectly fine intentions, it's gone. The day is gone, I tell you. I look back upon it, seem to have accomplished some of the things on my list (the one in my head, of course, because if I ever wrote it down, then I'd have to actually DO all of them, like all at once, forgetting that any order or priority ever existed; besides, if I tried to write it down, I'd simply be listing the things I've actually accomplished and checking them off, well, because then I could feel good about myself)…ah, where was I? Oh, yes.

This little ramble is just a slice of what goes on in my head on occasion. Hence the name of the blog! I do set goals, just not very tangible or manageable goals. I fly by the seat of my pants far too often. It seems I'm easily distracted from a goal I might happen to be working on. I know a man in his 70s who has actually been diagnosed with Adult Onset A.D.D. Hmm, I wonder?

Anyway, this is a long ramble to say I missed my post yesterday. It was there, I know it was. Yet, somehow, I managed to drive right by it. Where's that G.P.S. for my life gone? Ah well. I digress once again.

Until things get back on track inside my head, here's a little info-clip for you to digest (and if you drink coffee, it will justify your addiction; if you don't drink coffee, you should because of all the reasons listed):

Several years ago (2006), I had my blog set up at WordPress. That one didn't last long. I didn't like their formatting back then and really wanted my own domain so I could do more of what I wanted to do (thank you RapidWeaver and now, Sandvox). I did a post in February, entitled "Where Do They Come From?"It was my query into a quandary set up by a completely unsolicited email.

Disclaimer: Please, please, please do not do any follow-up or Google searching on any of this man's teachings. I have some pretty good biblical basis for urging you to not do this:

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. (2 John 7–8, ESV)

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. (2 John 10–11, ESV)

The unsolicited email began: To the church secretary. Please print off and give (or email) my testimony to your pastor, and also to your youth leader.

Thanks from XXXXXX XXXX

Somewhat effective at getting your attention and reading further, which I did. The poor man was asking that you do anything within your power as the pastor of a church to throw all biblical wisdom to the wind and start teaching universalism. Okay, so it was that blatant. False teachers are never that blatant; oh, that they would be. The church would never have to wonder if they were false teachers or not. Anyone with half-an-ounce of biblical knowledge could spot them a mile away.

It was really quite sad, actually. This miserable creature had suffered so much, even a nervous breakdown, all due to the teaching that those who do not come to God through Jesus Christ will spend an eternity under the wrath of God. I nearly went through an entire box of Kleenexes, my nose suffered chapped skin for a week. I was really quite a pathetic mess.

As they used to say: NOT!

It angered me that this person had gone to all the trouble to send this email to me as the pastor of a church. It angered me that this man would use the manipulative technique I just described. It angered me that this deceiver would take the Word of God and twist it for his own ends and means. Yes, there was a great deal of anger, yet I hope that much of it was a righteous indignation that one would blaspheme the Most High God so vehemently.

You may be wondering, why bring this up now, five-and-a-half years after the fact? Because the emails have begun again. Since the blog still exists (I never thought about deleting it; now I have to remember the passwords in order to ask WordPress to do so). This means the comments section is still open, which means anyone with the ability to use Google search––or anyone who thinks they may still have a listening ear––can still leave comments. And he has been doing so on a daily basis.

Yet again, you're left wondering, "So? Just ignore him." I have and will. It's why I won't mention his name here. You don't need to go out and seek him. You don't need him sending you the dung heap of his sinful imagination. And, I don't want Google picking up his name on this blog. I'll do a couple of posts on this in the days to come, but then I'll move on. His arguments lack any biblical framework. His foundation is the speculative hope of the unregenerate heart: surely God won't punish me or anyone else for all eternity because that's just not how I like to think of God. How touching. (Man, they really need a sarcasm font, don't they?) And yet I want to expose some of his teaching by simply holding it up to the powerful light of the truth of the Word of God. If only it would actually do to it what water did to the Wicked Witch of the West when Dorothy "accidentally" threw the bucket upon her.

I'll be posting just a few excerpts from the email/comments so you can see for yourselves what a bunch of kooks these guys are. Then turn them away from your doorstep and pray that the Lord of Truth will protect your heart and mind.