THOUGHT BOXES

New DNA

2010-02-17T14:52:00.000-05:00

I buzzed through the test again, just slightly different from 3 years ago. I changed from Reserved Analyst to Cautious Analyst.

Hiatus

2010-02-17T14:30:00.000-05:00

Wow. It has been almost 2 years since last post. Don't have a lot of time or I forget about my blog. May begin to use it as a link list now.

Words

2008-06-25T14:21:00.004-04:00

I found this new web site. It's called wordle.net. You can paste (or type) text into the web site, and the website will count the words, and assemble with the more used words put as bigger text. You will have to see the example below. Pretty cool. Can't really save though.

It could be useful when studying the Word. This tool can add how many times the words are used and then visually represent it. Sometimes "quantity" of words can help you understand the big idea. But you also should evaluate "quality" of certain words too.

Here's the example, using the text from Hebrews chapter 1:

Notice "God" and "angels" are the most used words. Chapter 1 is comparing the Son of God to the angels, and how mucher greater the Son is. Also notice the "says". Chapter 1 mentions quotes from the OT as referencing to Jesus, but if you notice in verse 2, God has spoken to us now through his Son. Give it more thought, too quickly explained here.

More Comedy in Baskeball

2008-04-20T19:07:00.002-04:00

You are at the free throw line. You make them. You give five's to your teammates. What happens when your teammates don't come out to give you those five's? Find out now.

Psalms 10 Thoughts

2008-04-11T08:53:00.006-04:00

These words have convicted me.

Psalm 10:13

"Why has the wicked spurned God? He has said to himself, 'You will not require it.' "

and seperately,

Psalm 14:1a

"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'

They are corrupt, they have commited abominable deeds;"

In my own life, I think recently I have not had a correct fear of God. There have been areas where I do not ponder the consequences of my actions in a heavenly sense.

I do not mean to call into question there are consequences of eternal value for the believer who sins, because we as believers, as those who repent, are saved by the grace of God. But for those who repeatedly do not obey the Word, do not repent, and begin to lose focus of who God is, are those saved? We need to have a consistent mindset of the Christian walk, of who God is, and what He said towards believers.

Back to my personal issue, these verses struck within me as I realized in some areas I have seperated God from my life. It seems like in those areas, I do not think of the consequences. These verses convict me to think about changing things to correct some of these notions.

Psalm 10:16-17

A Basketball Post

2008-04-11T08:40:00.002-04:00

People, just a quick note, this is NOT how you play defense.

The Book of Hebrews

2008-04-09T14:31:00.001-04:00

This post is a quote from a Martin Luther sermon on the book of Hebrews.

"This is a strong, forcible, noble epistle, preeminently and emphatically teaching the great article of faith concerning the Godhead, or the divinity of Christ. . . Certain it is, no epistle enforces the Scriptures with greater power than does this."
"Now, the object of the epistle is to establish and promote faith in the divinity of Christ, and, as already stated, scarce any portion of the Bible more strongly enforces this article of our creed. We must, therefore, confine to its words and treat it in regular order, item by item."
- Martin Luther, on the book of Hebrews

Long Break

2008-04-09T14:27:00.002-04:00

It's been another long break since posting. As you can tell the book reading and study has faltered. No consistency at this moment.
This time you could say the break is a little bit more warranted though.

Superhero Quiz

2008-01-19T14:42:00.000-05:00

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman		65%
Hulk		50%
Spider-Man		45%
Batman		45%
Robin		35%
The Flash		35%
Iron Man		30%
Green Lantern		30%
Supergirl		28%
Catwoman		25%
Wonder Woman		23%

You are mild-mannered, good,
strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Hmmm.... I agree w/ the description, but it'd be much cooler to be Batman, that's who I thought I was going to be (or is that wishful thinking?) Superman seems so vanilla. . . but maybe that could be me too! His traits might be more noble though. Who are you?

The Necessity of Reading

2008-01-16T10:11:00.000-05:00

Something recently reminded me about the importance of reading for the Christian. As I contemplated it more, I recalled reading a chapter in Oswald Sander's "Spiritual Leadership." The following will be some of the nuggets from the chapter, some will encourage, some will be of good help, and some will convict.

I think these really should all apply to all Christians, not just our leaders. In many regards, all Christians should be somewhat equipped to lead, although granted it will be in varying degrees and proper context.

"Spiritual leaders of every generation will have a consuming passion to know the Word of God through diligent study and the illumination of the Holy Spirit." This chapter in Oswald Sander's book is devoted to discussing supplemental reading to the word. He also says, "The leader who intends to grow spiritually and intellectually will be reading constantly." He gives the example of how necessary it is for lawyers and doctors to keep reading to stay on top of their craft, and how the Christian needs this kind of devotion to keep growing and maturing.

"The major cause of the decline in the quality of current Christian reading literature is not intellectual but spiritual. To enjoy a great religious book requires a degree of consecration to God and detachment from the world that few modern Christians have." - A.W. Tozer

Why Read

"Read to refill the wells of inspiration." - Harold Ockenga, who took a suitcase of books on his honeymoon.

"Read not to contradict or confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tested, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested." - Bacon

What to Read

"If I had read as many books as other people, I would know as little." - Hobbes, English philosopher

"There's infinite difference between the beauty of holiness and the holiness of beauty. One leads to the highest, loftiest, most Godlike character; the other often - too often - leads to an orgy of sensation." - Samuel Brengle, comparing Tennyson and Browning to Shakespeare, saying some poetry has light and other have light and heat. He urges you to choose the poetry that has moral character and passion, rather than just the passion.

"It is better that we should always tackle something a bit beyond us. We should always aim to read something different - not only the writers with whom we agree, but those with whom we are ready to do battle. And let us not condemn them out of hand because they do not agree with us; their point of view challenges us to examine the truth and to test their views against Scripture. And let us not comment on nor criticize writers of whom we have heard only second-hand, or third-hand, without troubling to read their works for ourselves. . . . Don't be afraid of new ideas - and don't be carried away with them either." - Muriel Ormrod

How to Read

"By reading we learn. By meditating on the themes of our reading we pluck the fruit from the tree of books and add nourishment to our minds and our ministries. Unless our reading includes serious thinking, it is wasted time."

"Master those books you have. Read them thoroughly. Bathe in them until they saturate you. Read and reread them, masticate and digest them. Let them go into your very own self. Peruse a good book several times and make notes and analyses of it. A student will find that his mental constitution is more affected by one book thoroughly mastered than by twenty books he has merely skimmed. Little learning and much pride comes of hasty reading. Some men are disabled from thinking by their putting meditation away for the sake of much reading. In reading let your motto be "much, not many." - Charles Spurgeon

"Canon Yates advised that every good book needs three readings. The first should be rapid and continuous, to give your mind an overview and to associate the book's material with your own previous knowledge. The second reading should be careful and paced. Take notes and think. then after an interval of time, a third reading should be like the first. Write a brief analysis of the book on the inside of the back cover. Thus will the book make a solid imprint on your memory."

Rules to make Reading Worthwhile and Profitable

(All taken from Spiritual Leadership)

What you intend to quickly forget, spend little time reading. The habit of reading and forgetting only builds the habit or forgetting other important matters.
Use the same discrimination in choosing books as in choosing friends.
Read with pencil and notebook in hand. Unless your memory is unusably retentive, much gained from reading is lost in a day. Develop a system of note-taking. It will greatly help the memory.
Pass no word until its meaning is known.
Vary your reading to keep your mind out of a rut. Variety is as refreshing to the mind as it is to the body.

Quotes taken from Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

The Pursuit of Holiness - Purpose

2008-01-11T12:42:00.000-05:00

This is the first take on the purpose of "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. It is primarily derived from the Preface, so it may restate some of the facts of an earlier post.

I would say the author's purpose is the workings of holiness in a Christian's life, at the most basic level. In the preface, the author addresses problems of incorrect beliefs and practices that a Christian probably has experienced in their walk concerning holiness. The author states that our 2 root problems are the reluctance of OUR responsibility and an incorrect view of the differences in OUR responsibility and GOD's responsibility. A key phrase could him describing holiness as a joint venture with God and the Christian. He will explain how this phrase works out throughout the book. Notice the emphasis that something is required from both parties.

We'll start with this. Through out the book, I will revisit & we will see how this holds up after 17 chapters. The root level of the book could change from the intention stated here.

I have noticed already that the author has built upon the basic understanding of holiness by adding different layers of what it should mean and how it works.

PH Ch 2: The Holiness of God

2007-12-28T17:50:00.000-05:00

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.' " - 1 Peter 1:15-16

Has your holiness become water-down or relevant? Related to culture or what other Christians are doing? Jerry Bridges uses this chapter to reshape and refocus what our view of holiness is, and what our views of God's holiness should be. The 1 Peter verses are such great verses to set the tone for the chapter, but he also helps unpack it and explain what the magnitude of the verses mean for us.

God knows what is right, does what is right, is free from evil, AND always consistent with this nature. 1 John 1:5 - "God is light; in Him there is no darkness." Knowing these truths is for our good, it can give us comfort to know we have a just God, who will always be fair.

What do these truths means to us? First, adoration and praise. Exodus 15:11. Secondly, we need to carry out the command in 1 Peter 1:15-16, being holy because God expects our character to be as such.

A good point that the author makes in the second half of the chapter is that God hates sin. He makes this relevant to us by saying the more we grow in holiness, the more we should hate sin also. "We may trifle with our sins or excuse them, but God hates them." He really cuts to the heart, with what might be one of the key sentences in the chapter: "Hatred of sin as sin, not just as something disquieting or defeating to ourselves, but as displeasing to God, lies at the root of all true holiness."

One note, is that I wished he developed the role of Christ in this chapter a little more. He notes "Granted, the love of God to us through Jesus Christ should be our primary motivation to holiness. But a motivation prompted by God's hatred of sin and His consequent judgment on it is no less biblical." I agree with this chapter and quote, and that it plays a part as a facet of the gospel and the Christians walk, but standing alone, it is tinged with works-based faith. I believe further chapters will help explain the role of grace and Christ, so it probably will be cleared up then.

All to often we take the freedom and grace of Christ, and turn it into a warrant to overlook attributes in our character and excuse some of our sins. This chapter helps refocus the holiness of God and His hatred of sin.

PH Ch. 1: Holiness Is For You

2007-12-03T14:05:00.000-05:00

In this chapter, the author states the basic importance and necessity of being holy. He diagnoses a few reasons as to why we don't notice this holiness or our struggles with being holy in our lives.

Here's the authors definition for holiness:"To be holy is to be morally blameless. It is to be seperated from sin and, therefore, consecrated to God." A great Scripture reference for the idea is Ephesians 4:22-24.

As Christians, we are expected to live a holy life. "Sin shall not be our master," says Romans 6:14a.

Next, the author states 3 problem areas in our struggles with sin:

1) "Our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered."

"We are more concerned about our own 'victory' over sin than we are about the fact that our sins grieve the heart of God. We cannot tolerate failure in our struggle with sin chiefly because we are success-oriented, not because we know it is offensive to God."
"W.S. Plumer said, 'We never see sin aright until we see it as against God. . . All sin is against God in this sense: that it is His law that is broken, His authority that is despised' "

2) "We have misunderstood 'living by faith' to mean that no effort at holiness is required on our part."

J.C. Ryles says: "Is it wise to proclaim in so bald, naked, and unqualified a way as many do, that the holiness of converted people is by faith only, and not at all by personal exertion? . . . Faith in Christ is the root of all holiness . . . no well-instructed Christian will ever think of denying. But surely the Scriptures teach us that in following holiness the true Christian needs personal exertion and work as well as faith."

We have responsibility in our walk in faithfulness towards holiness.

3) "We do not take sin seriously."

In this chapter, the author has diagnosed that we are willing to categorize sins into ones that are unacceptable and ones that we tolerate a bit. We think of some sin as wrong but still ok to do. They become more tolerated & allowable, rather than offensive to God.

Very challenging points to what holiness and sin mean in our lives. The next chapter will look into the holiness of God, where our basis of holiness is established.

** UPDATE **

Summary - In this chapter, the author describes holiness as being expected, essential, and a basic element in a Christian's walk with God, but the focus of the chapter is why holiness is not currently experienced as well as it should. So in essence, after giving a brief overview and definition of holiness, he focuses on the obstacles of holiness, or the problems in our incorrect thoughts regarding holiness in the first chapter. In the second chapter, he gives further detail to the definition of and what holiness should be.

Book Reading Now: The Pursuit of Holiness

2007-11-30T13:41:00.000-05:00

Over the past 2 weeks, I have started reading "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. It has been a challenging book, show the need of the Christians exert themselves to be holy. We have our strength in Christ, but often do not invest our own lifestyle and choices in things that are Christ-like, b/c we think it's already been handled.

I am going to attempt to journal the chapters and what insight I have received from them. Lots of quotes, but I will also challenge myself to summarize so that I know the material I am journalling.

The Pursuit of Holiness - Jerry Bridges

Preface

The author starts with an example of a farmer. The farmer plows, sows seed, fertilizes the field, all trying to grow a crop for harvest. But he is utterly dependent on forces outside himself. God is the one who provides rain & sunshine, causes the seed to grow, along with much more to allow the seed to grow to crops ready for harvest. He relates this example to the similarity of the joint venture of God and man in our holiness.

"No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part."

We must think about our responsiblity in holiness. 1) "We are simply reluctant to face up to our responsibility." We like to 'leave in God's hand's'. 2) "We do not understand the proper distinction between God's provision and our own responsibility for holiness."

This does an excellent job setting the tone for the book. He tries to relate these points more specifically, I've already noticed in the next few chapters I have already read. I know this is one of the reasons I choose this book, I don't take holiness as MY responsibility also as often as I should.

He closes drawing 2 observations about the word pursuit. 1) It will require dilligence and effort. 2) It will be a continual task, in this case a lifelong task.

The Only Teacher - Chapter One

2006-12-07T00:14:00.000-05:00

A friend gave me the book "With Christ in the School of Prayer" by Andrew Murray. It has been encouraging to read, and pick up off and on through the year. Here's some excerpts from the 1st chapter:

"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, 'Lord, teach us to pray.' " - Luke 11:1

Prayer is a fellowship with the Unseen and Most Holy One. The powers of the eternal world have been placed at prayer's disposal.
It is to prayer that God has given the right to take hold of Him and His strength. It is on prayer that the promises wait for their fulfillment, the Kingdom waits for its coming, and the glory of God waits for its full revelation.
Nothing delights Him more than to find those whom He can take with Him into the Father's presence, clothing them with power to pray down God's blessing to those around them, training them to be His fellow-workers in the intercession by which the Kingdom is to be revealed on earth.
By His Holy Spirit He has access to our hearts and teaches us to pray by showing us the sin that hinders the prayer, or by giving us assurance that we please God.
What do you think my beloved fellow-disciples? As we meditate on the words He spoke on earth, let us yield ourselves to His teaching the fullest confidence that with such a Teacher, we will make progress. Let us take time not only to meditate, but to pray, to sit at the foot of the throne and be trained for the work of intercession.

Lord, teach us to pray.

Lord Jesus! Enroll my name among those who confess that they don't know how to pray as they should, and who especially ask You for a course of teaching in prayer. Lord! Teach me to be patient in Your school, so that You will have time to train me. I am ignorant of the wonderful privilege and power of prayer, of the need for the Holy Spirit to be the spirit of prayer. Lead me to forget the thoughts of what I think I know, and make me kneel before You in true teachableness and poverty of spirit.
Fill me, Lord, with the confidence that with You for my Teacher, I will learn to pray

Goals to Concentrate from Philippians 1

2006-09-22T19:42:00.000-04:00

This week, our discipleship group meet, and after discussing Philippians 1, along with the commentary from D.A. Carson's Basics for Believers, we came up with some goals together to mature spiritually.

Here the are:

Quality Time in the Word
Meaningful Prayer
Dependence on God
Intentional Opportunities Sharing the Gospel
Discipline with Time / Less Selfish with Time

Readings and Thoughts from Today

2006-07-12T21:40:00.000-04:00

This was a part of my reading for today. It was a good humbling passage to rejoice in. Sometimes being humbled can bring a breath of fresh air. In this world, our 'priorities' can be so skewed to filling our "desires" and "needs" that it can start to get away from us. These things are never fulfilling as Christ and the Word can be. We, I, need the prayer of belief in the Word, and that is supercedes any faith of what joy can be found in this barren world, as compared to His promises.

Matthew 20:25-28

25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

More A.W. Tozer

2006-04-26T21:25:00.000-04:00

God is God, always, only, fully God, and can never be other than He is.

The Justice of God

Our Father, we love Thee for Thy justice. We acknowledge that Thy judgments are ture and righteous altogether. Thy justice upholds the order of the universe and guarantees the safety of al who put their turst in Thee. We live because Thou are just - and merciful. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, righteous in all Thy ways and holy in all Thy works. Amen.

The Mercy of God

Holy Father, Thy wisdom excites our admiration, Thy power fills us with fear, Thy omnipresence turns every spot of earth into holy ground; but how shall we thank Thee enough for Thy mercy which comes down to the lowest part of our need to give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and for the spirit of heaviness a garment of praise? We bless and magnify Thy mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

- A.W. Tozer - The Knowledge of the Holy

Good Friday - 1533

2006-04-17T22:34:00.000-04:00

text - John 19:13-30

Today we are considering the events of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we confess in the creed, "I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord... who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried." Christians really should have the suffering and death of Christ always in mind an on their lips every day. However, this day is especially devoted to considering and preaching about Christ's suffering, in order that we realize all that happened to Christ on this day, namely, in the Garden, at the house of the high priest, Caiaphas, in the judgment hall before Pontius Pilate, and on the cross. Under God's gracious guidance we shall speak of these events at some length.

In recording the events of the suffering of Christ, the Evangelists always repeat these words, "These things happened so that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled," for everything that Christ suffered happened in accord with Holy Scripture. For that reason the Evangelists not only record the events of Christ's suffering, but also repeat, "This happened that Scripture might be fulfilled." As though they wish to say, Ask the prophets about it; they will tell you why Christ suffered. Great and severe is His suffering, His martyrdom, and the cross; but great also is His love, compassion, ardor, and all-encompassing grace toward us, in that the devout Lord and Saviour with His suffering and death fulfilled the Scriptures for our sake.

And that is the paramount significance of the passion, that we realize and consider how Christ suffered in obedience to His heavenly Father and in our behalf to benefit us, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. It is well that we consider the true price of the redemption with which Christ redeemed us. It was not the exodus form Egypt. The redemption is nothing temporal, but rather, eternal, from sin, death, and hell. It is also well to consider the price paid for our sins, namely, that Christ did not pay gold or material goods, but rather His body and life, Himself the offering for our sins, as St. Paul exults (Gal 1:4, Eph 5:2, Titus 2:14). At the same time one should bear in mind what great agony He suffered for us and how excruciating it was for Him; how His sweat was as great drops of blood; how He was mocked, crowned with thorns, spit upon, scourged, nailed to the cross, and pierced for our sake. But this is the greatest and noblest consideration, that Christ had to suffer in order that He might fulfill the Scriptures.

We should diligently ponder all this, in order that we might not only recognize the greatness of the redemption, the price and the martyrdom, but also discern the love and good will toward us; how deeply concerned He is about us, and how His great heart, love, and compassion motivated Him to give Himself for us. That is why we should lovingly esteem both Him who suffered such martyrdom for us and also the heavenly Father who ordained this and placed this martyrdom upon Him. Such love should generate within us the realization of His goodwill toward us which prompted His voluntary martyrdom and suffering in our behalf.

What should our response be when God's Son is given for our sakes and endures sin, death, and hell? Should we not respond, My Lord Jesus Christ suffered for me; therefore, n return, I will love Him, gladly preach, hear, and believe His Word, be obedient to, and follow Him. If we do not do this, we are a thousand times more malicious than the people of the world.

We need to study the passion of Christ, in order that we might remember that it happened for our good and for our eternal benefit. I must have regard for His bloody sweat, His agony, and His crucifixion, and say, That is my help, my strength, my life, my joy. All this happened for our sakes and for our benefit. We must believe this and thank Him form the bottom of our hearts. Whoever does that and views the suffering of Christ in this way is a Christian.

He has shown us great kindness and we should never forget it, but always thank Him and find comfort for ourselves, confessing, His pain is my comfort; His wounds, my healing; His punishment, my redemption; His death, my life. No one can preach it sufficiently; no one can be sufficiently amazed that so great a person came from heaven, stepped into our place, and suffered death for us. We have been visited graciously and redeemed with a great price. We should hold firmly to our Saviour and sacred Head, Jesus Christ, who for our sins was crucified and died. To this end may the gracious God help us. Amen.

excerpts from Martin Luther sermon

The Immutability of God

2006-04-14T11:37:00.000-04:00

Change and change are busy in our little world of nature and men, but in Thee we find no variableness nor shadow of turning. We rest in Thee without fear or doubt and face our tomorrows without anxiety. Amen

To say that God is immutable is to say that He never differs from Himself.

"All that God is He has always been, and all that He has been and is He will ever be." Nothing that God has ever said about Himself will be modified; nothing the inspired prophets and apostles have said about Him will be rescinded. His immutability guarantees this.

The immutability of God appears in its most perfect beauty when viewed against the mutability of men. In God no change is possible; in men change is impossible to escape.

And all things as they change proclaim
The Lord eternally the same.

- Charles Wesley

In this world where men forget, change their attitude as their private interests dictate, and revise their opinions for the slightest cause, is it not a source of wondrous strength to know that the God with whom we have to do changes not? That His attitude toward us now is the same as it was in eternity past and will be in eternity to come?

What peace it brings to the Christian's heart to realize that our Heavenly Father never differs from Himself. In coming to Him at any time we need not wonder whether we shall find Him in a receptive mood. He is always receptive to misery and need, as well as to love and faith. He does not keep office hours nor set aside periods when He will see no one. Neither does He change His mind about anything. Today, this moment, He feels toward His creatures, toward babies, toward the sick, the fallen , the sinful, exactly as He did when He sent His only-begotten Son into the world to die for mankind.

Fountain of being! Source of Good!
Immutable Thou dost remain!
Nor can the shadow of a change
Obscure the glories of Thy reign.

Earth may with all her powers dissolve,
If such the great Creator will;
But Thou for ever art the same,
I AM is Thy memorial still.

From Walker's Collection

from A.W. Tozer - The Knowledge of the Holy

Never Changing God

2006-04-12T20:45:00.000-04:00

God does not change! That is great news to us, leaning upon the Rock. Here is a quote from A.W. Tozer about the immutability of God, who he can't and doesn't change. More to follow.

"For a moral being to change it would be necessary that the change be in on of three directions. He must go from better to worse or from worse to better; or, granted that the moral quality remain stable, he must change within himself, as from immature to mature or from one order of being to another. It should be clear that God can move in none of these directions. His perfections forever rule out any such possibility.
God cannot change for the better. Since He is perfectly holy, He has never been less holy than He is now and can never by holier than He is and has always been. Neither can God change for the worse. Any deterioration within the unspeakably holy nature of God is impossible. Indeed I believe it even to think of such a thing, for the moment we attempt to do so, the object about which we are thinking is no longer God but something else and someone less than He. The one of whom we are thinking may be a great and awesome creature, but because he is creature he cannot be the self-existent Creator.
As there can be no mutation in the moral character of God, so there can be none with the divine essence. The being of God is unique in the only proper meaning of that word; that is, His being is other than and different from all other beings. We have seen how God differs from creatures in being self-existent, self-sufficient, and eternal. By virtue of these attributes God is God and not some other being. One who can suffer any slightest degree of change is neither self-existent, self-sufficient, nor eternal, and so is not God."

from "The Knowledge of the Holy" A.W. Tozer

"My Personal DNA"

2006-03-15T17:59:00.000-05:00

Reserved Analyst

This is my "Personal DNA" from a personality test on internet. It was very interesting. I think some of my Biblical views of depravity affected my empathy and trust in others. Maybe I do need to grow in those, but I also think that my base beliefs of the incorrectness of "everybody is honest" and "everybody is good" might affect that a little bit in the test.

Pierced by the Word - a prayer

2006-03-06T22:15:00.000-05:00

Oh, how we love Your Word, Father!
It is precious beyond all earthly treasures.
Incline our hearts to this Word,
and break our bondage to other things.
Let us see wonders in it.
Pierce through our soul and waken spiritual life.
Confirm the marrow of our faith and make us real,
through and through. Forbid that we would be false to Your
faithfulness, and make us mighty in the Spirit.
Through Christ, we pray. Amen.

God is the Gospel

2006-03-06T21:59:00.000-05:00

Jonathan Edwards:

The redeemed have all their objective good in God. God Himself is the great good which they are brought to the possession and enjoyment of by redemption. He is the highest good, and the sum of all that good which Christ purchased. God is the inheritance of the saints; he is the portion of their souls. God is their wealth and treasure, their food, their life, their dwelling place, their ornament and diadem, and their everlasting honor and glory. They have none in heaven but God; he is the great good which the redeemed are received to at death, and which they are to rise to at the end of the world. The Lord God, he is the light of the heavenly Jerusalem; and s the "river of the water of life" that runs, and the tree of life that grows, "in the midst of the paradise of God." The glorious excellencies and beauty of Godl will be what will forever entertain the minds of the saints, and the love of God will be their everlasting feast. The redeemed will indeed enjoy other things; they will enjoy the angels, and will enjoy one another: but that which they shall enjoy in the angels, or each other, or in anything else whatsoever, that will yield them delight and happiness, will be what what will be seen of God in them.

- excerpt from "Pierced by the Word" - Ch.2 God is the Gospel

Sunset, Pt II

2006-03-01T23:17:00.000-05:00

Sunset 1
Originally uploaded by Josh Blinson.

Again, more or the brilliant skies.

Sunset, Pt I

2006-03-01T23:16:00.000-05:00

Sunset 2
Originally uploaded by Josh Blinson.

Beautiful Sunset taken from our visit to Topsail Island in late October during our honeymoon.

Waves

2006-03-01T23:15:00.000-05:00

Waves
Originally uploaded by Josh Blinson.

The scenic beach at Topsail Island

"Christian Exodus" to SC

2006-02-22T15:46:00.000-05:00

Now here's an interesting article. There's a conservative group named "Christian Exodus" who are recruiting Christian conservatives to move to South Carolina, a state they picked because of their similar conservative, Christian ideals. By recruiting those to SC, they can hope to back Christian ideals and influence the regions laws to be more Christian-like. Very Interesting.

USA Today article

So far only 20 people have moved, but 1,200 have signed up on the website as intending to move to SC.

Turkey Trip #1 - Chicago

2006-02-18T13:30:00.000-05:00

Very early this year, we had the opportunity to visit Turkey. One the way there, there was an 8-hr layover in Chicago so we decided to take a brief visit of the town of Chicago. We got to walk the streets a little (it was a very foggy day), eat some deep dish Chicago pizza, and visit Garrett's for delicious popcorn, some of the best ever.

Chicago's streets

Getting some pizza

The Sears Tower and the Old Water Tower

Riding the Subway

Make Your Own PDFs Free

2006-01-20T11:12:00.000-05:00

Here's a useful link I found. PDF Online. You can submit your own files and they automatically get encoded into a PDF format. You submit your file online and it will be emailed to you with 3-5 minutes. It works for Word, Pictures etc.

Brain Teaser From Japan

2006-01-20T10:47:00.000-05:00

I've heard this is a brain teaser from Japan, it's used to test applicants about logical solving supposedly. It's tricky! It took me about 20 minutes to solve, and 20 minutes to figure it out again the next day because I'd forgotten! It's one of those sequence tests. Click on the blue dot to begin the test. Let me know how you did.

Objective: To get everyone across the river.
Everyone: Mother, 2 daugthers, Father, 2 sons, Policeman, Criminal

Rules of the Game:

Only 2 people at max can cross the river at the same time on the raft.
Only the Father, Mother, and Policeman can operate the raft.
The Criminal cannot stay with any member of the family without the Policeman.
The Mother cannot stay with the sons without the Father's presence.
The Father cannot stay with the daughters without the Mother's presence.
That means left with a child of opposite gender, transporting a child, or arriving at the other side alone with a child.
Click on the people to move them.
Click on the red lever to move the raft.

It can be frustrating, I almost gave up, so it's ok. Have a good time!

Click Here to begin.

PALM SUNDAY - Martin Luther

2006-01-15T22:16:00.000-05:00

John 12:12-19

We call this day Palm Sunday - the day our dear Lord Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem, thereby fulfilling the word of the prophets who foretold that He would thus ride into the city on a donkey.

It could just as fittingly be called the day of Christ's triumphal entry.

All of this, I say, was announced and written about long ago by the prophet Zechariah, so that the Jews would never gawk and gape for a parade of worldly power, external pomp, and splendor. He will ride into Jerusalem in this humble manner, and will then weep over a city which did not accept him.

This was, of course, foretold beforehand also for us, and is preached to us year after year, so that we might learn the difference between Christ's kingdom and the kingdoms of the world, between our Christ-King and other earthly kings.

In His kingdom and by His Word Christ not only teaches us that we are poor lost sinners, condemned to death and in the devil's clutches, but also that through His death and blood, He has redeemed us from all sins, from death and the power of the devil, so that by faith in Him we are righteous and blessed forever. What wonderfully different teachings, wisdom, and insight this is compared with what is offered by human reason, legal experts, and the wise of this world - namely how to live here and now, managing house and home, acquiring goods, and protecting land and people. Even if we do live here a long, long time, finally and eventually we still have to depart and leave it all behind.

This is the reason why Christ entered Jerusalem as He did, without worldly pomp, meekly riding on a donkey. Thereby He not only wanted to fulfill the words of the prophet, but also to point out the manner and character of His kingdom, so that we may never be deluded into thinking that He came to earth to help us become rich and heap up treasure, when actually He came so that we might be delivered from sin, death, and the devil, and become truly rich in the life beyond. To sum up, this then was His true purpose in coming to earth, His kingdom's true nature and power and fruit, namely, that we may one day escape this wretched, mortal decaying existence and enter that happy, glorious, eternal life beyond.

It was just such a King that God promised through His prophets. Had God intended Him to be an earthly king, reigning in worldly fashion, there would have been no need for Him to be especially promised. Because God made a very particular promise about Him, there was no way He could have come as an ordinary king, ruling in the usual royal style. David and other kings reigned in that traditional manner, over territory and people, and thereby also gathered treasure. This King, however, is a very extraordinary King, especially promised by God; He set up a spiritual, eternal kingdom, over which He holds sway with unique power and might - His Word and the Holy Spirit.

But the Jews simply didn't want this kind of King - even though He came to them exactly as their prophet Zechariah had said: a righteous helper with eternal, heavenly blessing. ... they paid little attention.

We Christians, however, should get really well acquainted with this Christ-King, and place all our hope boldly in the life which is to come, where we will be forever happy, free of all sin and infirmity. It's for that reason that Christ came, and was crucified, died, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven to occupy His kingdom. That's how He overcame sin, death, and the devil for us, and by His blood and Holy Spirit swept us clean of all filth, so that all who believe in Him are righteous and blessed, and will someday pass through temporal death into His eternal, heavenly kingdom.

A Christian, you see, has not been baptized, so that he may collect treasure and get rich here on earth - all of which he can do as well without the gospel and baptism; instead he was baptized so that through Christ he may attain eternal life. To reach that life is why we should faithfully use the gospel and our baptism. I am a baptized Christian so that I may inherit and attain Christ's kingdom. And if I'm also blessed with possessions, I use these for my physical needs - certainly not to lift myself up into heaven!

We should, therefore, mark all the difference between Christ's kingdom and worldly powers, as He Himself clearly showed by His extraordinary entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, without a saddle, the animal a borrowed one at that! All of which made it crystal clear that He was in no way like the worldly rulers who have amassed a lot of treasure and property for the purpose of displaying worldly pomp and circumstance for their public appearances. Christ was no such earthly king; on the contrary, He is an eternal King, with an everlasting kingdom where one needs neither gold or silver, and yet will never suffer any want or need in all eternity.

After all, we must in the end depart and leave behind the goods of this earthly life; that should help us remember where we really want to be, namely with Christ, our eternal King. For if we accept Him here, that is, believe in Him and heed His gospel, He will also receive us over there, saying to us, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'

This, then, is what our dear Lord Jesus Christ meant to show by His entrance into Jerusalem, so that we might truly understand Him and His kingdom. On the left hand, as it were, we still live here in the kingdom of this world, but always on the right hand we reach forward and upward to His kingdom everlasting in the world to come. It was for that future life that we were baptized. May God grant us His grace so that we may joyously welcome and accept this King and remain with Him forever. Amen!

- excerpt Complete Sermons of Martin Luther 5:366-371

God Enjoyed

2006-01-14T12:48:00.000-05:00

Thou incomprehensible but prayer-hearing God,
Known, but beyond knowledge, revealed, but unrevealed,
my wants and welfare draw me to thee, for thous has never said, 'Seek ye me in vain'.
To thee I come in my difficulties, necessities, distresses;
possess me with thyself,
with a spirit of grace and supplication, with a prayerful attitude of mind,
with access into warmth of fellowship,
so that in the ordinary concerns of life my thoughts and desires may rise to thee,
and in habitual devotion I may find a resource
that will soothe my sorrows, sanctify my successes,
and qualify me in all ways for dealings with my fellow men.
I bless thee that thou hast made me capable
of knowing thee, the author of all being,
of resembling thee, the perfection of all excellency,
of enjoying thee, the source of all happiness.
O God, attend me in every part of my arduous and trying pilgrimage;
I need the same counsel, defence, comfort I found at my beginning.
Let my religion be more obvious to my conscience, more perceptible to those around.
While Jesus is representing me in heaven, may I reflect him on earth,
While he pleads my cause, may I show forth his praise.
Continue the gentleness of thy goodness towards me,
And whether I wake or sleep, let thy presence go with me, thy blessing attend me.
Thou has led me on and I have found thy promises true,
I have been sorrowful, but thou hast been my help,
fearful, but thou hast delivered me,
despairing, but thou hast lifted me up.
Thy vows are ever upon me, and I praise thee, O God.

- The Valley of Vision

Some 'Cross Centered' Principles

2006-01-13T19:27:00.000-05:00

"We never move on from the cross, only into a more prolonged understanding of the cross." - David Prior
"The message of the cross is the Christian's hope, confidence, and assurance."
"The Spirit does not take his pupils beyond the cross, but even more deeper into it." - J.Knox Chamberlain

In Mahaney's writings, he encourages to always remember the cross, never move on from it. 'The cross is still at the center." "The gospel isn't one class among many that you'll attend during your life as a Christian - the gospel is the whole building that all classes take place in!" It is our foundation in Christian life, we can never truly move on from it, if we do our whole structure of life would collapse. "This book talks so much about what it takes to keep the gospel central." In his book, He attacks 3 world views that draw our hearts away from keeping the gospel central, they are:

"Legalism, which means basing our relationship with God our own performance."
"Condemnation, which means being more focused on our sin than on God's grace."
"Subjectivism, which means basing our view of God on our changing feelings and emotions."

We have to know and preach the gospel to ourselves to move past these world views, and keep it central. Ways we can get better at this is: memorize, pray, sing, reviews its changing effect, and study the gospel.

"Every day of our Christian experience," writes Jerry Bridges, "should be a day of relating to God on the basis of His grace alone. We are not only saved by grace, but we also live by grace every day."
May the truth that saved you always be the dearest truth of your life. As Martin Luther reportedly said, "I feel as if Jesus had died only yesterday." May the reality of Christ's death for you be that near your heart.
Never move on from it.
Jesus died for your sins. May your every day be live by His grace alone. May you know the joy and peace of the cross centered life.

Store Wars

2006-01-11T21:24:00.000-05:00

I have posted a lot of thinking posts. Here is a pure fun one. Visit this site for Grocery Store Wars. You will watch Cuc Skywalker learns the ways of the Farm, teams up with Ham Solo and confronts Darth Tater. Sound funny or ridiculous, well it is.

Organize your Projects

2006-01-10T21:43:00.000-05:00

A cool site I came across was www.backpackit.com. This site allows you to set up your own web pages to organize projects, create to-do lists, post notes, post files and pictures (well, these two you have to pay for) all together. It's would be ideal for school projects because multiple people can access it and check off or post notes. Or to-do list to remind yourself things. You'll have to check out the site, the have a lot more great examples of what you can do.

A Good Read

2006-01-09T21:41:00.000-05:00

Another book that I really recommend is C.J. Mahaney's 'The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing'. A good friend of ours gave this to Meg and I during our engagement. We actually read this together on our honeymoon too. It's been a really great reminder of how important the gospel is in our lives. The most important thing. And how we need to come back to this central point in our lives continually. I just picked it up again tonite and was re-reading a couple parts of finishing a couple last sections. It's a good read.

www.multnomahbooks.com

2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

Praise Jesus!

The Mover

2005-12-26T22:00:00.000-05:00

O Lord, I am astonished at the difference
between my receivings and my deservings,
between the state that I am now in and my past gracelessness,
between the heaven I am bound for and the hell I merit.

Who made me to differ, but thee?
for I was no more ready to receive Christ than were others;
I could not have begun to love thee hadst thou not first loved me,
or been willing unless thou hadst first made me so.

Let 'wrath deserved' be written on the door of hell,
But 'the free gift of grace' on the gate of heaven.

- excerpts from 'The Valley of Vision'

Christmas 'Break' Readings

2005-12-26T21:27:00.000-05:00

Although I have graduated, it still seems like a got a mini-Christmas break this year. I've been reading some powerful texts from the prophets.

"But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They have made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words whcih the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore the great wrath came from the Lord of hosts." - Zechariah 7:11-12

A text that reminds me of being a sinner. These words were written by Zechariah the prophet warning people of who they are serving and what has been going on.

"Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; and I will bring them and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.' " - Zechariah 8:7-8

A text of hope and promise of the Lord.

" ' A son honors father, and a servanth His master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the Lord of hosts" - Malachi 1:6

Another text of warning to the rebellious people. Malachi 1:8-9 has a similar warning, with the example that if you're able to give the best to your governor to please him, why are you giving poor offering to your God. Later in the book, even during judgement and warning, Malachi 2:14-16 shows us the Lord's value of marriage, He as a witness of the covenant and the Spirit as 'binder'. " 'For I hate divorce (sending away),' says the Lord." That was really neat to learn glean from the passage, although the overall theme of the book is not towards marriage.

Some Christmas Bounty

2005-12-26T21:11:00.000-05:00

God has been gracious over the Christmas break. He has been a God of provision through the workings of family and friends. Listed below are some of the books that received for Christmas. While I am proud of these gifts, I hope that they will give you new ideas of authors to read, maybe a new avenue of good reading to be had.

C.S. Lewis - The Four Loves

C.S. Lewis - The Great Divorce

Jerry Bridges - The Gospel for Real Life

Randy Alcorn - The Grace and Truth Paradox

Jerry Bridges - The Discipline of Grace

Merry Christmas

2005-12-22T12:48:00.000-05:00

After the weighty post below, not to take away any of the seriousness, but I wanted to wish all:

Merry Christmas!

The Disappearing Doctrine of Hell

2005-12-22T12:29:00.000-05:00

I read this after seeing the link to Al Mohler's website on Chris's blog:

"Belief in hell is fast disappearing in Scotland, according to press reports. Reporter Donald MacLeod points to the fact that one third of Scottish clergy "still believe in the existence of hell." Of course, that means that the other two-thirds have decided against hell.

From MacLeod's article in The Guardian [London]:

Eric Stoddart, a lecturer in practical theology at St Andrews University, surveyed 750 randomly selected clergy and found that 37% believed in hell, although this was more marked in the Highlands and Western Isles, where conservative, Presbyterian congregations predominate.
"The doctrine of hell is downplayed by most of today's churches even by those who still believe in it. It isn't viewed as very politically correct even by a new generation of more theologically conservative ministers," said Dr Stoddart, who commented that there was a conspiracy of silence on the subject.

This is consistent with what is happening in the United States as well. Hell has become an odium theologicum -- an odious doctrine that is just too politically-incorrect for modern taste. Many preachers just find a way never to mention it. Or, as one wag has observed, they just air-condition hell, denying that it is a place of everlasting torment.

Look at this fascinating section of the article:

Dr Stoddart is interested in how belief in hell affects everyday life and is keen to hear from ordinary Christians as well. He said: "I'm interested in how people handle their belief in hell. If you believe (or are told you should believe) your grandmother is going to hell because she is not a Christian, how do you deal with that? Do you dehumanise her or psychologically distance yourself in order to accept her fate? How is it possible to go about daily life while believing that a loved-one has entered eternal suffering? When most hell-believing Christians are likely to encounter the death of 'non-Christian' loved-ones it is striking that it is a subject rarely tackled. No one talksabout this aspect. There is something of a conspiracy of silence."

Dr. Stoddartis interested in how the relational aspects of human life influence an individual's belief in hell -- and vice versa. At the Web site for his research project, Hell: The Pastoral Implications, he comments:

I concluded that the pain that arises from believing in hell whilst suspecting that your loved-ones might already be there is something that churches fail to recognise. There's something of a conspiracy of silence when it comes to acknowledging that it might apply to real, actual people rather than just an anonymous group called 'the lost'.

The knowledge of what hell really represents is a humbling consciousness that leads to heartbreak and serves as an impetus to evangelism. Those who deny the reality of hell will bear some real responsibility for the fact that so many will be found there.

Ezekiel 3:16-21

A very good article to compliment this is one of John Piper's on DesiringGod.org:

'Dorothy Sayers on Why Hell in Non-Negotiable'

Comment: Is this the same St. Andrews that PCM read about in 'St. Andrew's Seven' this summer in our missions Bible study?

The Chronicles of Narnia

2005-12-16T13:43:00.000-05:00

My wife and I went to see the movie last nite, along with my brother and some of his friends. It was a good movie, not great, but good. It did have some very powerful moments in there. Those key moments were awesome.
It's hard when everyone has seen the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and how well done those movies were done. The LOTR series had such excellent detail, imagery, and direction, it was an awesome series really. Well, I'm not saying Narnia doesn't have any of this, it's hard to hold up to that series. Maybe that's the problem, it may be 'Lord of the Rings Lite', but it really is probably directed to a different genre or audience.
It is toned down, you notice there will be no blood, even for the great sacrifice. (* I'm being vague to not ruin any storylines intentionally). The children are the main story line, even if they are going to battle later in the film.
The allusions that some of the things in the film holds, they can be very powerful. Edmund's treason and betrayal. Aslan and his actions. I think the being of Aslan was just very powerful, the respect to he was on film and Who is portraying. And what Aslan does, wow.
It was definitely worth seeing, but as a film, won't take the place of LOTR for me. But some of those moments in Narnia are just chilling due to imagery it holds and the power of the imagery.

A Link to the Movie site:
http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia/index.html

Wedding Announcement

2005-12-08T10:40:00.000-05:00

Mr. and Mrs. Blinson

Blinson - Madden

Megan Ashleigh Madden and Joshua Lee Blinson were married October 22, 2005, at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh. Reverend Chip Bugnar officiated their ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Madden of Apex. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herb Hilsinger of Kinston, and Mrs. Kiyoko Madden of Holly Springs and the late Mr. Madden.
Parents of the groom are Mr. and Mrs. Mel Blinson of Raleigh. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. L.W. Sharp of Raleigh, and Mr. and Mrs. Shelton Blinson of Raleigh.
The couple will live in Raleigh, having completed their honeymoon to Topsail Island.

- Isaiah 46:9-10 -

* sorry for the delay, this is 'official' unofficial announcement *

Spice Shower Pictures

2005-11-24T21:32:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all who helped in throw the Spice Shower for us. We really appreciated it. Thanks to the Whatleys for hosting it in there home. Thanks for attending too, and all the great spices and other gifts that we got.

-The Shower Cake - The theme was "Love, Honor, Cherish"

This is a few of the attenders that we at the show. Love you guys.

More Wedding Pictures

2005-11-22T21:11:00.000-05:00

Exchanging of the Rings

The New Mr. & Mrs. Blinson

Excitement After the Ceremony

Our Wedding Party

Wedding Pictures - The Beginning

2005-11-22T00:07:00.000-05:00

My beautiful bride, Meg, along with two of her bridesmaids, Kristen McCutchen (L) and Sarah Thuston (R).

My bride with only one of her many favorite aunts, this one is Aunt Michelle.

Streams of Mercy

2005-11-21T23:56:00.000-05:00

Man's great difficulty is that we have religion without guilt, and religion without guilt just tries to make God a big 'pal' of a man. But religion without guilt is a religion that cannot escape hell for it deceives and finally destroys all who are a part of it.

Religion without any consciousness of guilt is a false religion. If I come to Jesus Christ without any confession of guilt, simply to gain some benefit, I still have woe upon me, as did the Pharisees before me! But if my guilt drives me to Jesus, than I have my guilt taken from me and I find mercy. Oh, the mercy of God! We sing about the mercy of God, and I hope we know what we are singing about: 'O depths of mercy, can it be, that gate is left ajar for me.'

If God could not extend us His mercy and grace, and treated us exactly as we deserved, there would be only one course for Him to follow. God would have to turn an angered face to us in life and He would have to turn His back to us in death. That would happen to the best human beings that ever lived, if we should only receive what we deserve.

But, oh, the grace of God! God through the plan of salvation in Jesus Christ will go beyond our merits, beyond that which we deserve. Even if our sins have been like a mountain, it is the grace of God that assures our forgiveness. There is cleansing for the defiled, gracious and satisfying cleansing - a beautiful element in Christianity as revealed by the Lord Himself, and not just abstract theology.

- A.W. Tozer

Pictures Coming Soon

2005-11-21T14:13:00.000-05:00

We've gotten some of our pictures back from what the family has taken, and also some from the beaches during our honeymoon. I will work on uploading these to the website soon. Stay tuned...

The Catch-Up

2005-11-02T16:42:00.000-05:00

It's been a blast the past couple weeks. I recently got married on October 22nd. The wedding was phenomenal. God was working. Our friends and family really helped out too to make this a very beautiful wedding. I hope all that attended enjoyed and got to praise the King also. We enjoyed everybody showing up, it was great time of celebration.

Then me and my new bride were off to the honeymoon! We spent the week enjoying each other, getting to one another better, and experiencing the joy of living with your best friend. No more going home late at nite because we can be together! It's such a beautiful thing to give oneself to another.

And now we begin to live in the apartment with each other. We will sorting and living out of boxes for a while. And looking through all the new wedding gifts, wow, thanks everybody. But's it's a great time.

p.s. for a preview of some of the wedding pics, check out our friends the McCutchen's site. Cutch

Absolute Heresy

2005-10-14T09:52:00.000-04:00

This is a disturbing news article from Europe:

THE hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church has published a teaching document instructing the faithful that some parts of the Bible are not actually true.
The Catholic bishops of England, Wales and Scotland are warning their five million worshippers, as well as any others drawn to the study of scripture, that they should not expect “total accuracy” from the Bible.
“We should not expect to find in Scripture full scientific accuracy or complete historical precision,” they say in The Gift of Scripture.
The bishops acknowledge their debt to biblical scholars. They say the Bible must be approached in the knowledge that it is “God’s word expressed in human language” and that proper acknowledgement should be given both to the word of
God and its human dimensions.
The Bible is true in passages relating to human salvation, they say, but continue: “We should not expect total accuracy from the Bible in other, secular matters.”

This could be very damaging to many believers in establishing wrong patterns at the basis of their faith. The Bible is the Word of God and inerrant, very true in every sense. It is the foundation and the rock, and the only thing that can be trusted as being the truest thing. We have a world that wants to be stuck in a very postmodern mind-set. The only thing that is true is what you think about it, that's very incorrect. This article and this kind of thinking erodes the power of the Scripture. If we can be skeptical about we can believe or not about the Word, we lose our foundation and our footing about what we believe, we begin to believe what we want to believe, in order to serve our means.

They say the Church must offer the gospel in ways “appropriate to changing times, intelligible and attractive to our contemporaries”.

Here's the reason why they stated the above. We need to all be very careful of trying to not stand ABOVE the Word, but UNDER its teaching. If we can pick and choose, what parts about the Bible we believe, we are OVER the Word. It doesn't have meaning to us, we try to put meaning on the Bible. "I don't think that parts true, we don't have to follow what it says."

I believe we can interpret their saying above as, "If WE don't change how the Bible is presented, it won't be attractive to modern day people." This is the beginning of the slide in connecting the WE to the ATTRACTION, as if we are determining how important "God" is. God is Almighty, the power of the gospel is true, let's not water down biblical doctrine to serve our means.

Let us become better listerners to what the Word has to say to us. Let us take that as truth into our hearts, being the Word of God, which we know is truth. Let us communicate these absolute truths to others in a gracious, loving way.

Here's a link to the website. Click Here.

More Time Management

2005-10-12T00:04:00.000-04:00

Here's some other quotes that I found useful in understanding time management:

Procrastination may represent a failure to identify and to act in congruence with your own basic values. - Dr. William Knaus

Unwillingness to say No: Recognize the pain of saying YES is becoming greater than the pain of saying NO.

A Counter !?!

2005-10-12T00:02:00.000-04:00

Did you see the counter on the left side? What's that for? Who would be keeping track of that?

Time Management

2005-09-15T23:09:00.000-04:00

I was reading a time management booklet at work on how to better manage time for business. They were some great quotes in there, a lot of them had biblical principles behind them. I hope they are as encouraging to you too.

"The enemy of the 'best' is often the 'good'. - Stephen Covey

How true. Sometimes we get caught in doing good things, that we don't take the time to really ponder what God wants us to do. His plans work out in better ways than we can ever think or plan. His plans are what's best, so we can't fill our schedule with what we think is best, even if they're great, good things.

"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least." - Goetne

We must always keep our core values first, our goals, our principles in place before we let other things push those aside.

On Christ's Care

2005-08-30T23:17:00.000-04:00

"The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." - John 20:20b

"We should come to know Christ in this way: He is kindly disposed and comforting to all the poor who are needy and anxious; on the other hand, He is a severe judge of all who despise Him. To know Him this way is to know Him rightly.
Therefore, we should expect from Christ all love, kindness, comfort, salvation, and encouragement, and call on Him in perils of fire, perils of water, in death, and in all assaults on your faith. For He is also the only Cornerstone, to whom we should hold in all our troubles."

The Complete Sermons of Martin Luther - 6: 55

Seven Issues with the church's current evanglestic state.

2005-08-14T23:53:00.000-04:00

Sunday School has lost its' priority. The importance of the small groups and the small groups specifically reaching specific people. (86% of people that go to Sunday school will be invovled in the church 5 years later as compared to 17% of those not in Sunday school being involved in the church.
The uninvited 81%. Of the unchurched, 81% haven't been invited to church ONE time.
Failure to grasp the '4-legged stool'. Of keeping people in church, we aren't encouraging these aspects enough: expectations, ministry invovlement, small groups, relationships.
The interested unchurched person. Of those that hadn't been invited to church, 84% would say yes they would come to church if invited, as long as you would come with them through the doors.
Failure of members to develop meaningful relationships with the lost.
Lack of intentionality in evangelism.
Theological beliefs that diminish evangelistic passion. Christ is the ONLY way for salvation and to be excluded from condemnation. Also, we need to cling to the gospel, not this life.

- notes from Thom Rainer, Providence Baptist Church 8/14/2005

The Effect of Universalism on Missions

2005-08-13T08:08:00.000-04:00

The notion that people are saved without hearing the gospel has wreaked havoc in the missions effort of denominations and churches that minimize the biblical teaching of human lostness without Christ.

Apart from the special, saving grace of God, people are dead in sin, darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God and hardened in heart (Ephesians 2:1, 4:18). And the means God has ordained to administer that special saving grace is the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

J.Piper - Desiring God, pg 192-193

The Engaged Couple

2005-08-13T08:02:00.000-04:00

We are all smiles the day after our engagement. Here we are getting ready to go to Capitol Hill Baptist Church at Paul Curtis' house.

The Couple

2005-08-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

A Picture of me and my fiance, Meg.

All I Need

2005-08-09T00:14:00.000-04:00

Give me unwavering faith
that supplications are never in vain,
that if I seem not to obtain my petitions
I shall have larger, richer answers,
surpassing all that I ask or think.
Unsought, thou has given me
the greatest gift, the person of thy Son,
and in Him thou wilt give me all I need.

Valley of Vision - The Prayer of Love (pg. 271)

Delayed Writings

2005-07-24T00:19:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay in returning to the post, but a lot has been happening over the past couple months. I transistioned to my new position with Sherwin-Williams, and am constantly learning new things every day. It's a transistion working full-time and juggling what was on my plate in less time, but I really praise God for this position and the financial stability it brings and for the future. Also below, I now have a fiance too, it's been a sweet time preparing for that moment of proposal and now for the moment of engagement, heading and planning towards our marriage. Hopefully I will be able to post more and post pictures of some of the events of the past couple months.

Josh

Happy News!

2005-07-24T00:14:00.000-04:00

I would just like to announce to you all that this weekend, Meg Madden and I got engaged. We were in Washington DC visiting a friend and away for a little mini-vacation. It was the perfect opportunity for a suprise. We had a peaceful picnic right near the Jefferson Memorial, and then I proposed, asking her to be my wife. Such a sweet weekend, and I had a hard time keeping it under wraps and containing my excitement.

the Building of the Church

2005-05-24T16:31:00.000-04:00

'I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' - Matthew 16:18

'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.' - Matthew 28:18-19

These two verses point out a lot about the sovereignty of God and the importance / His care for the church.

God's Workings at Work

2005-05-24T16:27:00.000-04:00

Praise God! Last week it was confirmed that I got the new promotion in Sherwin-Williams. It is a great working of Him. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement during this time. It is definitely a blessing.

Josh

The Happiness of God

2005-05-11T17:23:00.000-04:00

'God's saving designs are penultimate, not ultimate. Redemption, salvation, and restoration are not God's ultimate goal. These He performs for the sake of something greater: namely, the enjoyment He has in glorifying Himself...

If God were not infinitely devoted to the preservation, display, and enjoyment of His own glory, we could have no hope of finding happiness in Him. But if He does in fact employ all His sovereign power and infinite wisdom to maximize the enjoyment of His own glory, then we have a foudnation on which to stand and rejoice.'

- J.Piper - Desiring God (pg. 33)

Then Let All My Pleasures Tell

2005-05-09T16:51:00.000-04:00

But I do bid that all will come
And drink with me the waters from
The Fountain of delights whom we
Call Christ, and that we taste and see
The fullness of his Father's joy
Which none can make and none destroy;
And that we take from his right hand
Eternal pleasures he has planned
For those who love him more than all
His gifts, and gladly leave the small
And fleeting pleasures of this earth
To savor God and all he's worth.

...

His goodness shines with brightest rays
When we delight in all his ways.
His glory overflows its rim
When we are satisfied in him.
His radiance will fill the earth
When people revel in his worth.
The beauty of God's holy fire
Burns brightest in the heart's desire.

- J.Piper - Desiring God

Praising God

2005-05-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

'I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.'

- C.S. Lewis - Reflections on the Psalms

'Praising God, the highest calling of humanity and our eternal vocation, did not involve the renunciation but rather the consummation of the joy I so desired. My old effort to achieve worship with no self-interest in it proved to be a contradiction in terms. Worship is basically adoration, and we adore only what delights us.'

- J.Piper - Desiring God

A New Job ?

2005-05-03T23:49:00.000-04:00

I humbly ask for your prayers. This coming Thursday I will have an interview for a full-time job. I hope to get this, and put forth my best capabilities. Pray that I will use this opportunity to exalt Christ, that I would be humbled by that, and truly live it out in my work-life. Thank you.

Contentment

2005-05-03T00:24:00.000-04:00

Do you think you are content in life? Pastor Horner laid out a lot about our / my state of contentment. Convicting words that cut to the heart.

"We always want more than we have, not less. I need just a little bit more ..."

And then even to the point of:

"We don't know the meaning of enough."

A lot of this sermon was pointing our need for contentment, and the wrong attitudes of contentment we have and the wrong things we have contentment towards. But he then went on to explain a solution for this problem.

"We won't be content with anything unless we are satisfied with Jesus Christ."

Praise God we have a remedy that will truly be all-satisfying and fulfilling to exactly what we need.

This passage for the sermon was Philippians 4:10-20

D.Horner - 'To Learn Contentment' 5/1/05

Remember the Word - Authorial Intent of 2 Peter

2005-04-28T23:23:00.000-04:00

Peter writes 2 Peter to tell his audience - "REMEMBER THE WORDS." Which words? "The words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles." (2 Peter 3:2) WHY do we need to remember the words? I believe the end of 2 Peter sums this up - "the untaught and unstable distort ... Scripture to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:16-18) Also, "you do well to pay attention [to the prophetic word] as to a lamp shining in a dark place." (2 Peter 1:19)

Here are some points of the book that support the above:

Through the true knowledge of Him, we can see that His divine power has granted us everything pertaining to life and godliness. (1:3) Where can we find the true knowledge?
"He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of divine nature." (1:4) Where can we find the promises? In His Word.
In the section 1:12-15, Peter explains that he wants to constantly remind them of the truth, so that they will be diligent to call it to mind.
In the section 1:16-21, Peter reveals the authority of the writers of the Word, the eyewitnesses of His majesty and the prophetic word. Verse 21 says, "for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
Peter sounds the alarm against the false prophet and teachers in chapter 2. They "will secretly introduce destructive heresies" (2:1) and "because of them the way of truth will be maligned;" (2:2) and that "they will exploit with false words;" (2:3). Peter explains the severity of these actions in 2:3, "their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep."
Peter uses 4 Old Testament proofs and examples in regard to the false teachers in chapter 2. Three are specifically examples of 'the LORD knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.' (2:9) 1] "God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast into hell." (2:4) 2] God "did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah". (2:5) 3] "He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter;" (2:6) and "He rescued righteous Lot". (2:7) The other is an example of the false teachers following the way of Balaam. (2:15-16)
In chapter 3, verses 1-2 tell us that Peter is stirring them by way of reminder to remember the words.
Mocker will come saying "Where is the promise of His coming? ... all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." (3:4) Peter refutes this by using the Word - "it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water." These 'teachers' didn't know their Word well enough to perceive these things or they choose not remember the Word.
"According to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth." (3:13)
Peter introduces the value and high regard to Paul's work in 3:15-16 - "just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters," "which the untaught and unstable distort [some things Paul has written] as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
Again, 3:17-18 tells them to be on guard so they will not be deceived in a manner that leads to destruction but to grow in grace and knowledge.

Check out all of 2 Peter and study it on your own to gain insight from this awesome, powerful book. Figure out the author's intent from the word, which means more than my words. I encourage you to diligently study the word. Let me know what you think and your opinions (shaped through the word).

To Not Be Afraid

2005-04-28T23:17:00.000-04:00

'But there are better reason not to let our fears increase. It is not so much because we become smarter or more able to avoid danger, but that we become more confident that, by faith in Jesus, God will take care of us in the way He sees best. It does not guarantee safety or comfort in this life. But it does guarantee everlasting joy, as we trust in Him. Trusting God, through Jesus Christ, is the key to fearlessness. And promises from God are the key that leads us from the dungeon of fear.'

J.Piper - Pierced by the Word

Experiencing God's Love

2005-04-26T11:00:00.000-04:00

Look to Jesus. Consider Christ. Meditate on His glory and His work, not just casually, but intentionally. Think about the promises He made and guaranteed by His death and resurrection.
Pray that God would open your eyes to the wonder of His love in these things.
Renounce all known attitudes and behaviors that contradict this demonstration of love to you.
Then enjoy the experience of the love of God poured out in your heart by the Holy Spirit.

Father, incline our hearts to see the
beauty of Christ and to embrace it with joy.
Grant that we would behold and believe -
that we would see and savor.
May our minds lay hold on the content of faith,
and our hearts receive it with the affection of faith.
Cause Your love to flow like a river through our souls.
May we not just know about it,
but experience the reality of it, to the glory of Christ.
In His name. Amen.

J.Piper - Pierced by the Word.

To Glorify God

2005-04-24T23:38:00.000-04:00

'The more people know about God, the more they will want to shout out about His glory."

- D.Horner 4/24/05

Events Galore

2005-04-23T10:42:00.000-04:00

It's been a long, busy week, yet still very good with lots of fun moments. So it's been a bit since I've had time to put something new up. There were birthday celebrations (Happy Birthday to Dad, Stephen Day!), basketball games, and the Joy Prom event at Providence in which it was a blessing to participate in the event. So much more too! I'm happy to try out the new Delta Lake Center for the college class, which I had chance to preview this week.

'The World Is Run by Tired Men'

2005-04-19T09:07:00.000-04:00

"If a Christian is not willing to rise early and work late, to expend greater effort in dilligent study and faithful work, that person will not change a generation. Fatigue is the price of leadership. Mediocrity is the result of never getting tired.

But Christians know where to find renewal. 'Therefore do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we being renewed day by day' (2 Corinthians 4:16)."

J.Oswald Sanders - Spiritual Leadership

A Concept Misunderstood

2005-04-18T00:28:00.000-04:00

'Submission is not an inferiority in a relationship,' whether of human or divine nature.

Dr. Nelson, talk on Doctrine of the Trinity, Acts Forum 4/17/05

The Inadequacy of "Instant Christianity"

2005-04-14T16:39:00.000-04:00

'The American genius for getting things done quickly and easily with little concern for quality or permanence has bred a virus that has infected the whole evangelical church.'

'Instant Christianity came in with the machine age. Men invented machines for two purposes. They wanted to get important work done more quickly and easily than they could do it by hand, and they wanted to get the work over with so they could give their time to pursuits more their liking, such as loafing or enjoying pleasures of the world. Instant Christianity now serves the same purposes in religion. It disposes of the past, guarantees the future and sets the Christian free to follow the more refined lusts of the flesh in all good conscience and with a minimum of restraint.'

'By “instant Christianity” I mean the kind found almost everywhere in gospel circles and which is born of the notion that we may discharge our total obligation to our own souls by one act of faith, or at most by two, and be relieved thereafter or all anxiety about our spiritual condition that we may discharge our total obligation to our own and we are permitted to infer from this that there is no reason to seek to be saints by character. An automatic once-for-all quality is present here that is completely out of mode with the faith of the New Testament.'

'It is true that conversion to Christ may be and often is sudden. When the burden of sin has been heavy the sense of forgiveness is usually clear and joyful. ... The true Christian has met God. But the trouble is that we tend to put our trust in our experiences and as a consequence misread the entire New Testament.'

'There are decisions that can be and should be made once and for all. There are personal matters that can be settled instantaneously by a determined act of will in response to Bible-grounded faith. No one would want to deny this; certainly not I.'

'The question before us is, Just how much can be accomplished in that one act of faith? How much yet remains to be done and how far can a single decision take us?'

'Instant Christianity tends to make the faith act terminal and so smothers the desire for spiritual advance. It fails to understand the true nature of the Christian life, which is not static but dynamic and expanding. It overlooks the fact that a new Christian is a living organism as certainly as a new baby is, and must have nourishment and exercise to assure physical growth.'

'Undue preoccupation with the initial act of believing has created in some a psychology of contentment, or at least non-expectation. To many it has imparted a mood of disappointment with the Christian faith. God seems too far away, the world is too near, and the flesh too powerful to resist. Others are glad to accept the assurance of automatic blessedness. It relieves them of the need to watch and fight and pray, and sets them free to enjoy this world while waiting for the next.'

'Instant Christianity is twentieth-century orthodoxy. I wonder whether the man who wrote Philippians 3:7-16 would recognize it as faith for which he finally died. I am afraid he would not.'

A.W. Tozer - excerpts from "That Incredible Christian"

Mercy and Justice

2005-04-14T10:32:00.000-04:00

'The mercy of God moved Him to send the Son of God to bear the wrath of God so as to vindicate the justice of God when He justifies sinners who have faith in Jesus. So we have our very life because of mercy and justice (Romans 3:25-26). They met in the cross.'

J.Piper - Pierced by the Word

To Accept or to Deny Christ

2005-04-13T00:23:00.000-04:00

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people say about Him: ‘I am ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse."

- C.S. Lewis

Is TV Too Big a Part of Life?

2005-04-12T11:13:00.000-04:00

'In the end the soul that is made for God has shrunk to fit snugly around triteness.

It seldom inspires great thoughts or great feelings with glimpses of great Truth. God is the great, absolute, all-shaping Reality.'

J.Piper - Pierced by the Word

New Heavens & New Earth - A Home of Righteousness

2005-04-11T16:15:00.000-04:00

'In the future, righteousness will dwell. The righteousness here is God's righteousness (2 Pet. 1:1), which fills the future world with His glory and beauty. And Peter had clarified thoughout the letter that only the righteous will participate in that world.

Only those who heeded Peter's message [encompassing the gospel of Christ] will inherit the promises and enjoy the new world. We should remind ourselves that no notion of works righteousness is involved here, for as Peter had already taught (1:3-4), those who live righteously have been transformed by God Himself. They do what is right as a consequence of God's gracious work in their lives.'

T.Schreiner, New American Commenatary, 1, 2 Peter, Jude
on 2 Peter 3:13

'Restored by God, {yet} Relying on Men'

2005-04-10T22:24:00.000-04:00

Today, we were given lots of truth at church. What I remember most is the passage of David taking the census in 2 Samuel 24. Pastor Horner's applications from this text were piercing. It really hit home to our sinful nature that we exhibit.

Performance-based Acceptance.
- We often care too much about what others think or say about us, and that guides our decisions. We often approve people for what they can do for us.
'We often have an attitude based on the opinions on what others did, not on what Christ did.'
- For example, this person did this to me, so I can do that back and not show grace like Christ. I have a right to stay upset at them... Wrong.
We tend to rely on our capabilites, not the capabilites of God.

D.Horner, 4/10/05, 'Restored by God, Relying on Men'
Check out outline link, middle of page.

German Friends

2005-04-10T22:22:00.000-04:00

I'm glad I had some time to visit with the German friends that got to visit America again. We first met Evie when went to Meinengin, Germany, in 2001. This is a picture of my girlfriend, Meg; me; and my German friend, Evie.

Road Trip - Beach

2005-04-10T22:09:00.000-04:00

We got a lot of pictures back from the photo shop. This is one from couple weeks back when Meg and I got to go to the beach. It was a great trip. Great fellowship and conversion during the car trips, good times walking the beach admiring God's great creation, reading coast-side while listening to the calming presence of the ocean.

Prayer

2005-04-09T09:57:00.000-04:00

' "When you feel most indisposed to pray, yield not to it," he counseled, "but strive and endeavor to pray, even when you think you cannot."

To Martin Luther, an extra load of duties was reason enough to pray more, not less. Hear his plans for the next day's work: "Work, work from early till late. In fact I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer."

The praying Christian wields no personal power and authority, but authority delegated by the victorious Christ to whom that faithful believer is united by faith.

"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit" - Ephesians 6:18a'

J.Oswald Sanders - Spiritual Leadership

Pitiful

2005-04-09T09:39:00.000-04:00

As I recall with my stomach turning
I was hiding away from myself, away from you
Like nothing, though something was terribly wrong
And I admit that I was only waiting for the right time
Night time, the right moment for you to look away
Though you never did, I pretended for a while
So I could walk where I don't belong

And I remember every word you said
Come back in time, come back
And I remember I would soon be dead
Now so pitiful, so pitiful

But I know, as I hammered those nails into your beautiful hands
Your eyes still try to search for mine, but I look away
Now your eyes are the only thing that can save me
I'm so afraid of them piercing
You're breaking into my prison.
Just pretend for a while
My soul is dying
I won't look away

And I remember every word you said...

I'll remember every word you said
This time I won't look away

Blindside - Pitiful

Luther: Loving your Neighbor

2005-04-07T15:55:00.000-04:00

‘He who would be a saint so stern and selfish as to endure no evil words or acts, and to excuse no imperfections, is unfit to dwell among men. He knows nothing of Christian love...' (4.1: 315)

‘He who truly loves will be distressed that a beloved neighbor wickedly trespasses against God and himself.’ (4.1: 321)

‘Sincere love makes a clear distinction between the evil and the person; it is unfriendly to the former, but kind to the latter.’ (4.1: 321)

- Martin Luther

the Complete Sermons of Martin Luther

Luther: Look at Christ's Example

2005-04-07T15:09:00.000-04:00

'Mark the example of Christ, however, and there learn to censure yourself. Beloved, how can you complain when you see how infinitely greater was the grief and how much more painful the anxiety endured by your beloved Lord and faithful Savior, the Son of God Himself, who yet bore all patiently and submissively and, more than that, prayed for those instrumental in causing that agony? Who with a single drop of Christian blood in his heart would not blush with shame to be guilty of murmuring at his sufferings when, before God, he is so sinful and is deserving of much more affliction?'

- Martin Luther

the Complete Sermons of Martin Luther (4.1: 259)
on 1 Peter 2:21-25

Luther: Why Be Troubled At Suffering?

2005-04-06T23:05:00.000-04:00

'Now, this one fact, that one so exalted as Christ himself, the only and eternal Son of God, has trod the path of suffering before us, enduring unlimited distress, agony transcending the power of humanity to experience - this alone should be enough to admonish and urge anyone to patiently endure affliction. Why, the, should we disciples, we who are so insignificant and inexperienced in comparison with our Master - why should we be at all troubled at any suffering for His sake? especially when all He asks is to follow Him, to learn of Him and to remain His disciples.'

- Martin Luther

the Complete Sermons of Martin Luther (4.1: 252-253)
on 1 Peter 2:21-25

1 Peter 2:24

2005-04-06T19:53:00.000-04:00

'and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.'

The Beginning of Thought Boxes

2005-04-06T19:15:00.000-04:00

Well, this is the beginning, not as in Genesis 1:1, but of this post site. Let's see how this works out. I hope you enjoy the readings on this site, and I will do the best to keep them interesting and updated.