John Piper has written an article regarding truth that has comprised a great deal of my thinking lately. Why do we live as though the Christian's life is simply a "decision" rather than a supernatural, transforming, power filled life?
You really need to read the article below.
For your joy
Satan, World, Providence, Christ
Enjoy this video of "It is Well with my Soul"
Great post from Al Mohler on the Fort Hood shooting. A sobering read of how evil is being given a therapeutic pass.
Does anyone fear God anymore?
When Morality Collapses -- The Therapeutic Evasion
Another article exposing just how desperate man is to rid this world of God. Please read,
In Mo. schools, ancient calendar at center of debate
Don't you just love how sinful man cloaks his evil intentions in goodness? The school's moral high ground is the, "I don't want to offend anyone" card. I call it a card because this is a game. The game is to push their agenda without it being exposed. The agenda? To remove all vestiges of God from our lives. How? By insisting that it's through love and respect towards those who do not believe in God.
Hitler offends me. Do we remove the fact that he existed from the history books simply because I'm offended?
Man will not rid himself of God no matter how hard they try. In fact, every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.
Jeremiah 5:22 says, "Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it.
The fear of the Lord, is the beginning of wisdom.
For your joy
Desiring God is having a Christmas Sale!
There are some fantastic bargains to be had! You won't go wrong in purchasing any one set, but let me make a few recommendations;
~ The Dad gift set is great for the entire family. Five books are filled with biographies of fifteen Christian men of the past. It is a series that can be read alone or even aloud to the family. I can't stress enough how much is gained by reading the biographies of Saints who have gone before us.
~ The Student collection is an exceptional value. To include a shirt, book, DVD, buttons, stickers, and journals for twenty five dollars is incredible! This book gets to the heart of the meaning of life. Great wisdom imparted to an important age group!
~ Let's not forget Mom:) Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God is the only book I've read in this trio. Again this book gives a biographical sketch of five Christian women, excellent!! I look forward to reading the other two as soon as I can.
What a great idea to give gifts that touch the heart and soul!
For your joy
The picture above is taken from the article,
Hey, preacher - leave those kids alone
Their goal?
Short of fighting a political battle outlawing religion being taught in any school, public or private, they are going to start with changing public perception.
If they can convince the masses that teaching religion to children is wrong, then they are one step closer to ridding the world of God.
The problem? It's an impossibility!
If God were taken out of every teaching institution, every church door closed, and no talk of God allowed in public or private conversation, there will still be God.
Why? This is his world, and we are his creation.
Notice the interaction in the comments below when responding to the article:
One person says,
The Desiring God Blog has great strategies from John Piper when we struggle with, when you don't want to do what you ought to. Enjoy!
When You Don't Want to Do What You Ought To
I thought I'd include this video on kids doing what they ought not to do and how much pleasure it brings, to one, at least.
My tree is up!!
Too soon you say?
Yeah, probably, but what is that saying? "Necessity is the mother of invention?"
My typical routine is to bring Christmas to life either the weekend before or the weekend of Thanksgiving. This year I will be having Thanksgiving dinner in my home with family and Friday morning while others are out shopping on black Friday, I will be flying.
Richmond, Virginia is my destination and the reason for my trip is, my mother needs me. My Dad is having surgery the day before Thanksgiving and will be in the hospital for four nights. I will head home to basically fill his shoes while he recuperates.
I'm happy to be able to go home and offer whatever help I can. My time there will be especially pleasant knowing that Christmas is ready when I return home.
Lord willing, I will return Monday, December 7th. My prayer is that God use this time to increase our faith as we trust in him.
For your joy
Flee to the one who became the curse, taking upon himself our condemnation so that we might have life.
For your joy
"You accept, of course, that it is as wrong and nonsensical to label a child as "British" or "French" or "Senegalese" as it is to label them "Christian" or "Muslim", yes?"
A person responds,
Of course not - that makes no sense. "British" describes the area one is physically born in and the areas your family were born in and your race... "christian" is merely a belief about the existance of a god and a way people CHOOSE to live thier lives.While I'm not sure the point of the first comment, I do believe the latter is typical for where most people land. God is someone you choose, or so they think. You couldn't choose where you were born, if it was in Britain, you're British!!
But wait....God created the world. If you're born into it, you're created by God and, therefore, belong to God.
"But I don't believe in God!", one might say. Does that determine truth? So we've come full circle in an argument that begs the question that is never posed in this article.
What is truth?
The truth is; God created man, man sinned by choosing to be greater than God, God condemns man, man is spiritually dead. God unveils his plan of redemption through the righteousness of his son, Jesus Christ, for all who believe.
But how can I believe if I'm spiritually dead? It is impossible to believe. We are dead in trespasses and sins, believing is the gift of God.
Ask a parent if they can make their child believe. I have never witnessed any child believing in God because he was made to. Not one! We can instruct our children to attend church and hear about God, but we cannot make them believe.
Satan knows this. This is another device of his to rid himself of God and to thwart God's work in this world.
This, is why I pray. If I had the power to save, I would not be on my knees.
For your joy