After a fantastic sermon by Josiah Bancroft, who was in town for the weekend giving a Christian [...]]]> This past Sunday, I was received into membership at Harvest Presbyterian Church in Medina, Ohio; ending a year-long search for a new church home. My wife and children were there with me and that made the day very special.

After a fantastic sermon by Josiah Bancroft, who was in town for the weekend giving a Christian leadership seminar, the service ended with two hymns and a unison recitation.

I love the Doctrines of Grace, and often get chills when reading a particularly meaningful scripture like 2 Cor 5:21 or Eph 2:4-5. These two verses are very meaningful because they show that God did it all. The only thing I bring to the table is the sin for which I so desperately need to be forgiven.

The two songs below  plumb a depth in my soul that is seldom reached, even by scripture. I think because the lyrics of these songs are pure, unclouded, grace-filled doctrine put to beautiful music, these songs hold special significance to me now. Coupled with the Apostles’ Creed, it was a very memorable and meaningful service.

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Lyrics

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.

In Christ Alone Lyrics

With thanks to God for loving me enough to die for me, and with gratefulness to the pastors and elders at Harvest, I pray that I will continue to receive the daily grace needed to serve my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Linking to noteworthy articles from other blogs and websites.

…the executives did not want to have Linus reciting the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke. The network orthodoxy of the time assumed that viewers would not want to sit through passages of the [...]]]>

More Linkin!

Linking to noteworthy articles from other blogs and websites.

…the executives did not want to have Linus reciting the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke. The network orthodoxy of the time assumed that viewers would not want to sit through passages of the King James Bible.

As far as I understand it, R.C. Sproul believes alcohol is a gift of the Lord; his dear friend John MacArthur regards the consumption of alcohol as unbiblical; their mutual friend John Piper believes that even if drinking is not a sin, it is very unwise. Three men, three leaders, three perspectives.

This is my confession:

I was born into a believing family through no merit of my own at all.

I was given a mind to think and a heart to feel through no merit of my own at all.

I was brought into the hearing of the gospel through no merit of my own at all.

CHRIST… is our fixed point of reference by which we can sail safely across turbulent tides and arrive home. Knowing Him as Lord and Savior is the difference that makes all the difference.

I attended their concert last Sunday night in Cleveland, and one of the highlights for me was their performance of this song with no amplification equipment.

We come to our Bibles with this most fundamental presupposition—whatever the Bible may be saying, it can’t be telling me that my life needs to be fundamentally changed. Wherever the Bible calls for such change, it must be addressing someone else.

As in linking to noteworthy articles from other blogs and websites.

What if God had more for our kin this Thanksgiving than the Macy’s parade, tryptophan-induced naps, and NFL football? What if we saw our gatherings with extended family not as [...]]]>

Lincoln again?

Yep. Linkin’ again!

As in linking to noteworthy articles from other blogs and websites.

What if God had more for our kin this Thanksgiving than the Macy’s parade, tryptophan-induced naps, and NFL football? What if we saw our gatherings with extended family not as a chance to check out, but as an opportunity for Christian mission?

A prisoner of war who forgives his captor or a terminated pastor who forgives a predatory congregation, these people are not overlooking sin. Nor are they saying that what happened is “okay” or that the relationships involved are back to “normal” (whatever that is). Instead they are confessing that judgment is coming and they can trust the One who will be seated on that throne.

Typographic Verses by Jonathan Ogden et. al.

Last year over 2,000 Christians in the country were murdered by Muslim extremists. While it is often tempting in trials such as this to pray for deliverance, the Christians in Nigeria are praying for something else… the strength to stand strong.

Please don’t pass over this story. Christians in the Third World are on the front-lines of Christ’s Kingdom. Christians in America are the ‘rear echelon’ and could learn a thing or two from our brothers and sisters on the front.

What’s unusual about the Pacific Crossroads congregation—and what underpins efforts such as Boxes of Love—is its theologically conservative raison d’être. A member church of the Presbyterian Church in America, Pacific Crossroads is committed to Reformation doctrines such as total depravity and limited atonement. These beliefs are typically regarded as ugly and inhumane by American culturati.

The only just punishment for your disobedience to the Lord is to suffer under his wrath forever in hell. And what’s more, Jesus has already been punished in your place. Therefore, if you are a Christian, you will never be punished for your sins. Jesus has taken the just punishment that was due them. Period.

If you have experienced an intense difficulty in your life and wonder what God is trying to tell you through it, please take time to read this article.

The Mormon doctrine on the essential matters of doctrine are at odds with historic Christianity. What makes this difficult to parse out is the fact that many Mormons utlize the same words (sin, grace, faith, church, Jesus, salvation) while meaning something completely different.

Six years ago this week, I learned that my mother’s breast cancer had metastasized to her liver. She lived for five more months.

Six years ago next week, I learned that my father had pancreatic cancer. He [...]]]> The way I’ve asked that question of the LORD has changed radically in the last six years of my life.

Six years ago this week, I learned that my mother’s breast cancer had metastasized to her liver. She lived for five more months.

Six years ago next week, I learned that my father had pancreatic cancer. He lived for four more months.

In 2005, my parents died less than a month apart. I asked God, “Why me?” dozens of times that year. Sometimes out loud (and I mean LOUD), “Why are you doing this to me!?” as I walked to my car after hearing on the phone that my dad had just died. Sometimes in silence, “Why? Just Why?” over and over to myself at my mom’s funeral. I struggled with wavering faith, self-pity and depression in the weeks and months that followed.

Up until that time, my life had been pretty much blessing upon blessing; and I assumed it was because I was such a good person. I went to church regularly, sung in the choir, taught Sunday school, coached girls’ softball, worked hard at my job and was a pretty good father. I believed that I deserved better than most people because I was better than most people.

I was a fool.

I still ask God, “Why me?” but in a very different way.

Last week I read about a 35-year-old man named Robb Williford who died suddenly two days before Christmas leaving a wife and two sons behind. (Do NOT read the link without a tissue!) On the day his children lost their father; my daughters, my wife and I were at Disney World. Why? Why me? Why him? I weep in sadness for those little boys and their mother, and I sit here wondering why it wasn’t me. He was ten years younger than me; why is he gone and I live on?

That is the only answer to the question, “Why?” that I’ve been able to grasp in the six years since my parents deaths. There is no earthly reason for things to be this way. But I’m convinced there is a heavenly reason and that we cannot know it until our own days are over.

When something bad happens to you, do you ask, “Why me?”

When something good happens to someone else, do you ask, “Why not me?”

Jesus Christ turns this around (as He does many things) and bids His followers say, “Why me?” when something good happens to them and “Why not me?” when something bad happens to someone else. (Romans 5:8 Luke 13:4-5)

“Why Me, Lord?” – Johnny Cash

I have had steady employment since I graduated college; I’ve been married for more than 20 years to the only woman I’ve ever loved; I have two beautiful, smart and healthy daughters; I’ve never been homeless or seriously ill and I can’t help but wonder, “Why me?”

When a friend’s brother commits suicide, a man at work loses his 20 year-old son in a fire, a neighbor loses her job and hasn’t worked for almost three years, a dear brother’s wife cheats on him and it ends their marriage, I can’t help but wonder, “Why not me?”

God’s blessings aren’t dependent on how good you are.

Think about how blessed you already are right now. (Stop reading right now and make a list of things you’re thankful for!) Let that understanding flow out of you in the form of prayers of thanksgiving to God. Crank up the volume on your thankfulness and you’ll find yourself more content with what you have. You’ll also find you are less receptive to the sounds of aggravation and irritation from within and you’ll begin to tune them out.

Thankfulness and contentment are the results of joy and peace which are fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22-23) that God promises to all believers.