We're Drawing Close to the Finish Line, or What Has Been Taking Up My Time Lately

I always seem to have an excuse for not blogging regularly. This time it is a solid excuse.

I have been very busy. Too busy to think many thoughts. Except this one: how can I most efficiently destroy those who used my honey (that I needed for my tea) on their PANCAKES this morning? This is the question that is running through my mind.

However, that can be pondered for about two weeks. I give myself these lengths so I can go over every scenario at my leisure.

Our living room is all painted, and the furniture is brought back in. It's been a wild time of renovation and painting. I have new painting clothes: scrubs. They're comfortable. And green.

I think someday I will be adept at this mudding and painting business. Maybe by the time I get my own house I'll be a pro. Ha! I doubt that'll happen. Maybe I'll *hire* a pro to clean up after me.

It's raining right now, which makes it a good t.v.-watching day. We watched soccer after the living room was finished, and now apparently we're going to watch the Lord of the Rings, after I make rice.

Off to make rice I go.

I Wrote This...

...at the beginning of the year, and I don't think I ever shared it here.

Yea, that was a bit of a rhyme. I'm awesome like that - all the time.

~

Morning Star

"Suspended in the morning sky

A star shines light, with radiant face;

I see it and I'm filled with joy,

Contemplating grace.

The Hand which made that star shine bright

Holds me close with tender care.

'Tis haunting: I am His delight

And I find comfort there."

The Importance of Argument

Because I love to argue. ;)

The Importance of Argument

"Certainly a Christianity that avoids argument is not the Christianity of the New Testament. The New Testament is full of argument in defense of the faith. The Epistles of Paul are full of argument—no one can doubt that. But even the words of Jesus are full of argument in defense of the truth of what Jesus was saying. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” Is not that a well-known form of reasoning, which the logicians would put in its proper category? Many of the parables of Jesus are argumentative in character. Even our Lord, who spake in the plenitude of divine authority, did condescend to reason with men. Everywhere the New Testament meets objections fairly, and presents the gospel as a thoroughly reasonable thing.

Some years ago I was in a company of students who were discussing methods of Christian work. An older man, who had had much experience in working among students, arose and said that according to his experience you never win a man to Christ until you stop arguing with him. When he said that, I was not impressed.

It is perfectly true, of course, that argument alone is quite insufficient to make a man a Christian. You may argue with him from now until the end of the world: you may bring forth the most magnificent arguments: but all will be in vain unless there be one other thing—the mysterious, creative power of the Holy Spirit in the new birth. But because argument is insufficient, it does not follow that it is unnecessary. Sometimes it is used directly by the Holy Spirit to bring a man to Christ. But more frequently it is used indirectly. A man hears an answer to objections raised against the truth of the Christian religion: and at the time when he hears it he is not impressed. But afterwards, perhaps many years afterwards, his heart at last is touched: he is convicted of sin; he desires to be saved. Yet without that half-forgotten argument he could not believe: the gospel would not seem to him to be true, and he would remain in his sin. As it is, however, the thought of what he has heard long ago comes into his mind; Christian apologetics at last has its day, the way is open, and when he will believe he can believe because he has been made to see that believing is not an offence against truth."

~ J. Gresham Machen

The Unity of Theology and Lifestyle

People tend to think there is some chasm between what we believe and what we do.

"Theology is one thing," they say, "but I don't care for that. I do things."

We're pretty imbalanced as Christians. We tend either to give up on theology and stick with "living out our faith", or we forsake action entirely because we think it tends to look a lot like legalism.

There's no real reason to make a distinction between our orthodoxy and orthopraxy. They should be balanced with one another; they go hand in hand.

In Ephesians, Paul spent three chapters on theology. Then he moved to the practical application of that theology. Paul was both a theologian and a "front man in the trenches of spiritual war". He was equipped for action by his theology.

Not only in Ephesians but in the whole Bible you find practical application as the response to true knowledge. Knowledge about God is not an end in itself, but it can not be easily or honestly given up.

We must know in order to do. And if we truly know, we can't help but do.

There should be no such thing as an "arm-chair theologian". Theology is meant to aid in living out your faith. No Christian is supposed to sit back and warble anecdotes to the world; we are called to go forth. To go. Application and theology fit together well. It's true that we are led by our thoughts. As you think, so you will act.

Neither side should be neglected. Study theology, but live it out. Don't stop at simply knowing about God. Know how to obey Him. Know how to live as He requires.

On the flip side, don't stop at simply doing what is right. Know God. Study His Word. Learn as much as possible about Who He is, and who you are in comparison.

"Centuries of theologizing have made it clear that the Christian life is not lived rightly without the right beliefs as the foundation." ~ R. C. Sproul, The Mystery of the Holy Spirit, p.73

I Wanted to Get My Own Post Out First...

But I just had to share this one.

~

Be comforted, all you who are tried and buffeted with difficulties in your way towards heaven, difficulties from without and difficulties from within, difficulties abroad and difficulties at home, grief for your own sins and grief for the sins of others: the Good Shepherd Jesus knows you well, though you may not think it. You never shed a secret tear over your own corruption, you never breathed a single prayer for forgiveness and helping grace, you never made a single struggle against wickedness, which He did not remark and note down in the book of His remembrance. You need not fear His not understanding your needs, you need not be afraid your prayers are too poor and unlearned to be attended to; He knows your particular necessities far better than you do yourselves, and your humble supplications are no sooner offered up than heard.

~ J.C. Ryle