Evangeline Grace is here!!!!

Psalm 136:1-4
O give thanks to the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever.
O give thanks to the God of gods: for His mercy endures forever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for His mercy endures forever.
To Him who alone doeth great wonders: for His mercy endures forever.

John Donne's Prayer of Repentance

Batter my heart, three-person'd God,
for you As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me,
and bend Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town to another due,
Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end;
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be lov'd fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy;
Divorce me, untie or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

President Washington's Proclaination 1789

A PROCLAMATION
General Thanksgiving

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houfes of Congress have, by their joint committee, requefted me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to eftablifh a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and affign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of thefe States to the fervice of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our fincere and humble thanksfor His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the fignal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpofitions of His providence in the courfe and conclufion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have fince enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to eftablish Conftitutions of government for our fafety and happinefs, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are bleffed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffufing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleafed to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in moft humbly offering our prayers and fupplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and befeech Him to pardon our national and other tranfgreffions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private ftations, to perform our feveral and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a bleffing to all the people by conftantly being a Government of wife, juft, and conftitutional laws, difcreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all fovereigns and nations (especially fuch as have shewn kindnefs unto us); and to blefs them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increafe of fcience among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind fuch a degree of temporal profperity as he alone knows to be beft.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand feven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Dr. Ron Paul has become increasingly popular with main street America over the past 18-24 months. His venture in seeking the 2008 Republican nomination for President of the United States, while unsuccessful in attaining the nomination, seceded in opening the eyes of many common folks to the evils of big, oppressive government; and inflative and destructive monetary policy. In the process, Dr. Paul was also successful in stirring the hearts of many liberty loving Americans by presenting a simple, yet contemporary and attainable, plan to recalibrate the goals of American government, by bringing it once again under the submission to the U.S. Constitution. The curious and refreshing thing about Dr. Paul's message of personal liberty and fiscal responsibility is that he has been singing the same song for years.

Over a decade ago when the U.S. was entangled in an unconstitutional military engagement in Bosnia, Rep. Paul commentated on the lawless and destructive nature of America's interventionist foreign policy:

"This president, like so many of his predecessors, has engaged in reckless foreign adventurism with a complete disregard for the Constitution, the philosophy which founded this nation and the security of our nation. Our founding fathers opposed imperialism in all its forms, and rejected the notion of "foreign entanglements" except when the US was directly threatened.
To counter the threat of foreign policy being dictated by special interests, the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, power to engage our nation in war. Only after a congressional declaration of war is the president authorized to place troops in battle. Yet presidents of the later half of this century have felt no need to follow the Constitution as they have sent our troops into senseless battles without congressional approval; remember Vietnam?
Yet Congress refuses to act in opposition, for fear of being labeled the politically-deadly "anti-troop." Sadly, it is anything but "anti-troop" to want our soldiers out of harms way when the situation does not involve us. In fact, those who put our troops in the line of fire for the sake of modern imperialism are the ones who are "anti-troop." They are the ones who are getting our soldiers injured, maimed and killed. By removing our troops from the situation - or, better yet, not putting them there in the first place - we are protecting their lives.
Perhaps more importantly, we could better protect the security of our nation by bringing our soldiers home. With thousands of troops in Bosnia and other "hot-spots" of civil unrest around the world, our borders are less secure, our defense less than ideal. "

Yesterday, he posited the following commentary on the same destructive policy relating this time to Pakistan:

"Sadly, one thing that has entirely escaped modern American foreign policy is empathy. Without much humility or regard for human life, our foreign policy has been reduced to alternately bribing and bombing other nations, all with the stated goal of “promoting democracy”. But if a country democratically elects a leader who is not sufficiently pro-American, our government will refuse to recognize them, will impose sanctions on them, and will possibly even support covert efforts to remove them. Democracy is obviously not what we are interested in. It is more likely that our government is interested in imposing its will on other governments. This policy of endless intervention in the affairs of others is very damaging to American liberty and security."

While Dr. Paul is not a political 'messiah' as some seem to believe -that title belongs to the Lord Jesus alone- he is the man on the Hill that seems to best understand the American view of law and government in our generation. For that reason, I am glad the Lord has raised him up and pray for his continued hearing and progressive success.

To read the rest of Rep Paul's Texas Straight Talk article dated October, 6 2009 quoted above follow this link
http://www.house.gov/paul/

Israelite Woman leaves 1400 descendants

Genesis 2:26-28
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Psalm 127:3-5
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.


What happens when these verses are taken seriously?

Take a look at this link:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3778275,00.html

John Eadie was a master of the Greek Text. With two earned doctorates, he held the chair of Biblical Literature and Hermeneutics, and a ministerial charge in the Scottish Presbyterian Church until his death in AD 1876. However, Eadie's most enduring legacy may be his commentaries on Paul's letters. Below is an excerpt of his commentary on Colossians 2:17: "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."

"Still, the shadow is in itself nothing—it is empty, baseless, and indistinct. The Hebrew ceremonial could not give full instruction by its symbols, and it could only purge “as pertaining to the flesh." It had no power to enter into the conscience, and impart peace and the sense of forgiveness. The blood of an animal could not secure Divine favour. The thief, after restoring fourfold to the man whom he had wronged, and so satisfying him, must also offer a victim on the altar to God, in order that the penalty incurred from Him might be remitted. The man who had been contaminated by any ceremonial impurity, who had touched a corpse, or come into accidental contact with a leper, was by means of an appointed ordeal of ablution and sacrifice restored to his previous status. But the whole apparatus was wanting in spiritual power, and its only virtue was in its connection with the substance to come. That it was a shadow so designed, and not a fortuitous and unmeaning system, is plain from its correspondence with the body which is Christ's, and its consequent fulfilment in Him. The harmony is universal and complete. The great High Priest has come and clothed Himself in humanity—a living vestment far more costly than the robes of Aaron, "made for glory and for beauty ; " and all other victims have been superseded by His oblation of Himself. Omniscience is His, and therefore no formal Urim and Thummim glitters on His breast. The Self sacrifice He presented was pure as the fire from God by which it was consumed, and it has been visibly accepted. He has gone through the starry vail, and into heaven itself, with the names of all His clients inscribed upon His heart; and He pleads the merit of His blood before a mercy-seat not canopied by a cloud, but enveloped in the Majesty of Him who sits upon it. The woven and metallic cherubim disappear in the reality, for the angels having performed their allotted parts in the mystery of redemption, are “ministering spirits to them who shall be heirs of salvation." There is no need, now that the law be engraved on stone, for it is written indelibly on “the fleshy tables of the heart." It is no longer required that there be a bath, or a “sea of brass," for believers are washed in the laver of regeneration. The golden lampstand has been extinguished, for the lustre of the Enlightening Spirit fills the House of God. Nay, the entire church on earth is a spiritual priesthood, engaged in appropriate ministrations, serving now, indeed, in the outer court, but soon to be called up into the inner sanctuary."

The NIV's brand of Culture Coolness

Biblica Worldwide, owner of the the New International Version, which is dubbed "the choice of conservative evangelicals and the top selling bible in North America", has decided to revamp their translation to make it more "accurate and accessible" http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/NewsRoom/NewsReleases/Biblica+Announces+First+Update+in+Quarter+Century+of+the+World%E2%80%99s+Most+Popular+Bible.htm?QueryStringSite=Zondervan. This revamp, the first in its history will be on the shelves in 2011 according to the AP article appearing in yesterday's New York Times (http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/02/popular-bible-to-undergo-revision/). So how is it that the inspired word of God needs a revamp to make it more "accurate and assessable"? Well, of course it does not, but it could use an update to jive with the accepted mores of post-modern, gendermishmashamalgamated culture. The "more accurate and accessible" NIV will, among other changes, utilize gender language that is thought more palatable to enlightened man, or should I say people. The "Sons of God" become "people of God" and instead of God creating "man" in His own image, He created "humans". But all this hubbub should make one wonder why all the sensitivity to man's...or please excuse me...humankind's feelings. Instead of pandering to the sensitive psyche of the fallen creature, shouldn't the English translation of the Bible seek to accurately reflect the very words of the Creator, whether they are considered by His sinned cursed creatures and 'proper' or not. Who defines the meaning of 'proper' anyway, the democratic fallible will of the "pot" or the holy, sovereign will of the "potter"? God in His work of Divine inspiration has given His people His infallible, inerrant word in all of its authoritative grandeur and humbling glory. It is meant to be the instrument of the Holy Spirit, who convicts the depraved heart of sin and leads to repentance. Jeremiah calls it a hammer (Jer 23:29) and Paul a two edged sword (Eph 6 & Heb 4), both implements of warfare used to describe the holy word's destruction of the forces of evil, in and out of the human heart. The soon to be released NIV will dull the sword and trade the sledge for a plush toy; and that will be quite refreshing to the conscience of rebellious man (yes I do mean man in the corporate sense) and accommodating to the direction of the culture at large, but unfaithful to the Creator's word to his subjects. If the word is abridged, changed or unfaithfully translated the authoritative force of that word is traded for a impotent counterpart.
I should at this point say that I do not speak as a disgruntled groupie of the NIV, I have not used it for over a decade due to a major difference with its translation philosophy, but as a lover of the Divine word and its author. So I invite you to give the linked AP article a look and ask yourself what a move like this offers the today’s church; a more accurate and accessible" translation or a culture pandering reproduction (and if you need any further proof that the culture is confused to intoxicating levels with gender issues I can refer you you this disgraceful and demented link http://www.ksdk.com/news/world/story.aspx?storyid=184150&catid=28 as exhibit A, but be aware that it is not for the faint hearted or immature, it is gross stuff ). After pondering this for a while, I offer you these links to the writing of Pastor William Einwechter on the topic of gender and the biblical order; part 1 http://www.visionforumministries.org/issues/family/men_and_women_and_the_creation.aspx and part 2 http://www.visionforumministries.org/issues/family/men_and_women_and_the_creation_1.aspx

Nonsenseical Senseless Sense?

Hmmm ... well no doubt watching, listening or reading the daily news is no longer an Innocent pastime of the faint at heart. Which is why I have appreciated the independent Internet news sites such as www.covenantnews.com and (WorldNetDaily) http://www.wnd.com/ for the past few years. But it would appear that even the often clear minded Joe Farrah has surcumed to the politics of nonsense in his recent article http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=107916 were he encourages Sean Hanity, the blowhard network Rambo for -Neo-Nazi-Conservatism to seek the presidency. Yea...Mr. Farrah, that will fix our overbearing empire alright. After all Sean is a humble, even headed, unbiased, constitution-loving, meek fella...O' who am I kidding, not even the village idiot will believe this one.

What should we think about Roe vs Wade?

I have added a new link over there on the right that I have recently come across; www.ingoreroe.com. This site has a bunch of good information and Biblical thinking about the murderous plight of infanticide that the enemies of God call 'choice' and the main stream refers to as 'abortion'. As any little catechized child will tell you, God forbids murder, thus the slaughter of an unborn baby in its own mother's womb can never be legal. Can there be any true law that rightfully contradicts the Law of God? Of course not! All lawful law must be an application of the moral law of God as summarized in the Decalogue. Therefore, since murder can never be legal and abortion is murder, it can never be legalized, since it would contradict God's law. Further, as Americans we are not governed by a king (contrary to self appointed king's Bush and Obama) or an oligarchy (contrary to the ideal of most of the members of the House and Senate), but by the supreme law of the land: the U. S. Constitution, which of course is subordinate to the constitution's of the several states. The Federal Constitution establishes a constitutional republic not a democracy. If you doubt this, just begin to recite the pledge to the flag and you will eventually get to the line, "and to the............REPUBLIC.......... for which it stands". Anyway, the Constitution invests enumerated powers to each of the three branches of government. The legislative makes law; the executive executes the law and the judicial interprets the law. Now, you will remember that the body that formulated the 'opinion' called Roe v Wade was the U.S. Supreme Court, which is a part of the judicial branch, the branch that interprets existing laws. Which makes one wonder how a body that has been invested solely with the power to interpret law might legalize anything? So why then do most Americans believe that Abortion was legalized in 1973 at the release of the 'opinion' called Roe vs. Wade? I guess it is because it has be so drummed into our heads and we have not really been taught the American view of law and government in the anti-Christian, socialist schools. At any rate, as the website suggests the President and Governors of the several states should just ignore the lawless nonsense of Roe and uphold justice by enforcing the law against murder by prosecuting any so called physician that would dare defy the word of the LORD and facilitate the murder of an unborn child. Anyway, I have said too much already …check out the link for the rest of the scoop.

A word from the littl' man

Hi y'all, just wanted to drop in and tell ya that my daddy has been real busy lately, so he hasn't had any time to post, but hopes to be back at it posting new stuff soon. So don't stop dropin in now and again. Y'all come back soon now ya hear.

"Mr. President, You may not..."

Once upon a time, when the Church of Jesus Christ was given the respect she deserves in our country and the recognition as a valid government established among men for their moral good, the other Divinely ordained governments, the family and the state, accepted critique and instruction from her pulpits. I do not mean to insinuate that all men and nations did so, but for that group of principalities known today as Western Civilization or once as Western Christendom, it was understood that while there may be differences in earthly allegiances and ethnicity, there was a common understanding that every knee, including that of the king, must bow to the Lord Jesus, who wields all authority in heaven and on earth. This notion is not some sort of commendation of a raw ecclesiocracy, in which the church reigns supreme over the family and the state. This sort of despotism, along with that of absolute dictatorships in the civil and familial realms, is foreign to the pages of scripture. My reference is instead to the proper biblically informed distribution and delegation of power among multiple institutions each with a particular function and each given certain checks on the others. In those days of old, the pulpit was a force to be reckoned with among the several states; the magistrate, if obedient to the Lord in carrying out his appointed duty, was given the honor he justly deserved and supported by the words of each local parson, but in the event the civil ruler overstepped his bounds morally or did not uphold his oath of service, he would rightly receive rebuke in the Lord’s Day sermon. This was not a case of pastoral meddling in the political realm, but the proper and necessary admonishment of one of God’s ministers faithfully serving in the church, addressing another of God’s ministers unfaithfully serving in the state. It is not that the pastor preaching to the prince has committed some sort of grievance, but on the contrary it is the despot prince that has broken covenant, with both church and state that is in error and must be told so by the dutiful pastor. While this idea sounds all sorts of alarms and may even cause the minute hairs on the nap of our necks to come to attention in this modern age of “separation of church and state”, it is the true American view of government founded upon the Scripture. Our current civil government is the tax grabbing, morally destitute, God dismissing, Allah reverencing bully that it is because the Church has bought the lie that she must only address spiritual needs, as if the workings of the spiritual and physical realms had no effect on each other. However, this simply is not true, since we are taught to pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on EARTH as it is in heaven” and since the resurrected Jesus told us before his ascension that all authority in heaven and on EARTH had been given to Him. Well to cut to the chase, it is time once again as Providence would have it that the errant prince (President Obama in our case) be chastened by the dutiful pastor (Douglas Wilson).
The incident to which I refer is the recent sermon preached by Pastor Wilson to President Obama from the pulpit of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho. While Pastor Wilson and I have more that just a few theological hairs that could be split between us of various sizes, I do complement him on standing up and rendering faithful service to the Prince of the Kings of the earth on this occasion. I suppose there was a day when a sermon preached to the president was more common place, but ours is not such a day. It seems down right odd and for some even offensive to consider that a local pastor, from the likes of Moscow, Idaho, might actually speak words of admonition and caution to a sitting president of the United States. But this fact alone is a problem in itself. I pray that each faithful minister of the Gospel might consider and emulate Pastor Wilson in his stalwart stand of Godliness in calling a skunk and skunk and trusting the Lord for the results. If the Lord does such a work in the men behind the pulpits of our land there must certainly first be repentance which, by His grace, may result revival or even full blown reformation. With this said, I offer the link to Pastor Wilson’s excellent sermon http://www.christkirk.com/Sermons/mp3/1514.mp3 and a link to the manuscript http://dougwils.com/index.asp?Action=Anchor&CategoryID=1&BlogID=6593. May God begin to bless America once again.

The Chief is running for Governor

A few years ago, before the bailouts, Obama birth certificate fiasco and before U.S. Evangelicals appointed a blond in a bikini to be the model for our little girls, one man in the state of Alabama was thrust into the spotlight for taking a stand on principle and resting on the Word of God. He was called many things by many people and was humiliated in a kangaroo court setting that resembled more the horrors of Red Russia than what we expect in the halls of American jurisprudence. He was eventually removed from his position; the highest ranking civil servant in the Justice system of the state of Alabama. His offence, of course, was having the unashamed audacity of confessing that all true law ultimately comes from the God of the Bible and that he was obligated to make his legal decisions based on this law. To symbolize this idea, he hung a wooden plack containing the Decalogue in his courtroom. During this atrocity, I marveled time and time again at the clear witness and bold stand of this Godly man. Although all the cronies of the Left and even the cohorts of the Bush White House (the prosecutor in the case was a Republican who was later promoted for his performance) stood against him, he did not flinch, but remained calm in resolve to declare the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ as the supreme Lawgiver. By now most of you have recognized my reference to Mr. Roy Moore. Take a look at the so called cross examination that turned out to resemble more of an inquisition:

I had the privilage a number of years ago to hear Judge Moore speak to a crowd of Constitutionally minded folks and was astounded by his mamoth memory. Mr. Moore was able to quote very long excerpts from Scripture, the U.S. Constitution and other historically relevant documents from memory. It was a masterful demonstration of the combination of Godly character and mental skill that were expected in time past and that we still yearn for in our civil leaders. I bring this up now because Mr. Moore has recently announced the he will seek the Republican nomination for the Governor of Alabama in 2010. I was very excited to hear this announcement. I say this for two reasons, one which is based on principle and a second that is practical. First, the scripture commands the disciples of Jesus Christ to base their thinking in every area of life on the inspired, inerrant Word of God. Christians should think like Christians. This would include voting ethics. Scripture calls Christians to support only those who are, "able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness". Well, this requirement of Scripture has thinned our choices in the last few election cycles to say the least. So to see a solid Biblically qualified man running for a major civil office is exciting to me. It reminds me that the God of hope is on the throne and He will have His way among the nations of men. Whether He will grant Mr. Moore victory in this endeavor, or allow an "Obama minded" socialist type to win is yet to be seen. I would argue that if the Lord does grant Mr. Moore victory, it is mercy; but if the usual Washington socialist type pulls it out, that is justice. We have gotten what we deserve. At any rate, I also mentioned that I had a practical reason for being exited about Mr. Moore's candidacy, it gives me hope that the Lord is not yet ready to relegate the USA to the dustbin of history. He may just yet grant a great resurgence of stalwart men to step forward wielding the sword of the Spirit and standing on the promises of the Lord to recapure the fading republic for His glory. How exciting it would be if someday in my lifetime, I could walk into the local poling place and have a score (although I would settle for a few) of Biblically qualified men for whom I might cast my vote. Mr. Moore and others like him give me hope that the sun has not yet set on this nation that was started to be a "city set upon a hill". Whether I am just a romantic or not, only our good God knows, but I do enjoy thinking of what the Lord might be doing in our Land.

I sign off with this short video that documents the life of the Honorable Roy Moore, a real spokesman for American evangelicalism, without the bikini. Enjoy and don't stop praying for America.

The Analogy of Scripture

"If you sincerely seek the Lord's direction by prayer, you will of course make use of his appointed means of information, and search the Scriptures. Give me leave to offer you the following advises, while you are reading and comparing spiritual things with spiritual. First, Not to lay too great stress upon a few detached texts, but seek for that sense which is most agreeable to the general strain of the Scripture. The infallible word of God must, doubtless, be consistent with itself: if it does not appear so to us, the obscurity and seeming inconsistency must be charged to the remaining darkness and ignorance of our minds. As many locks, whose wards differ, are opened with equal ease by one master-key; so there is a certain comprehensive view of scriptural truth, which opens hard places, solves objections, and happily reconciles, illustrates, and harmonizes many texts, which to those who have not this master-key, frequently styled the analogy of faith, appear little less than contradictory to each other. When you obtain this key, you will be sure that you have the right sense." ~ John Newton

John Newton

Although John Newton is best know today for his composition of hymns, in his own day he was a accomplished minister, respected by conformists and non-conformists alike for his reverent fear of God and care for the needy. The story of his conversion (found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Newton) from a salty sailor to a sterling saint is a moving example of God's good grace abundantly poured out upon a wretched sinner. Newton maintained a large correspondence some of which have been published. The excerpts below are a few examples:


Our Perseverance in the Faith
Jesus, to whom I have been led to commit myself, has engaged to save me, absolutely, and from first to last. He has promised not only that He will not depart from me--but that He will put, keep, and maintain His fear in my heart--so that I shall never finally depart from Him! And if He does not do this for me--I have no security against my turning apostate!

For I am so weak, inconsistent, and sinful; I am so encompassed with deadly snares from the world; and I am so liable to such assaults from the subtlety, vigilance, and power of Satan--that, unless I am "kept by the power of God," I am sure I cannot endure to the end!I do believe that the Lord will keep me while I walk humbly and obediently before Him; but, were this all--it would be cold comfort! For I am prone to wander--and need a Shepherd whose watchful eye, compassionate heart, and boundless mercy--will pity, pardon, and restore my backslidings!For, though by His goodness and not my own--I have hitherto been preserved in the path of holiness; yet I feel those evils within me, which would shortly break loose and bear me down to destruction, were He not ever present with me to control them.

Those who comfortably hope to see His face in glory--but depend upon their own watchfulness and endeavors to preserve themselves from falling--must be much wiser, better, and stronger than I am! Or at least they cannot have so deep and painful a sense of their own weakness and vileness, as daily experience forces upon me. I desire to be found in the use of the Lord's appointed means for the renewal of my spiritual strength--but I dare not undertake to watch a single hour, nor do I find ability to think a good thought, nor a power in myself of resisting any temptation! My strength is perfect weakness--and all I have is sin.In short, I must sit down in despair--if I did not believe that He who has begun a good work in me, will carry it out to completion.


Our Earthly Existence
A simple dependence upon the teaching and influence of the good Spirit of God, so as not to supersede the use of appointed means, would, if it could be uniformly maintained, make every part of duty easy and successful. It would free us from much solicitude, and prevent many mistakes. Methinks I have a subject in view already, a subject of great importance to myself, and which perhaps will not be displeasing to you—How to walk with God in the daily occurrences of life, so as to do everything for his sake and by his strength.

When we are justified by faith, and accepted in the Beloved—we become heirs of everlasting life; but we cannot know the full value of our privileges, until we enter upon the state of eternal glory. For this, most who are converted have to wait some time after they are partakers of grace. Though the Lord loves them, hates sin, and teaches them to hate it—he appoints them to remain a while in a sinful world, and to groan under the burden of a depraved nature. He could put them in immediate possession of the heaven for which he has given them a fitness—but he does not. He has a service for them here; an honor which is worth all they can suffer, and for which eternity will not afford an opportunity, namely—to be instruments of promoting his designs, and manifesting his grace in the world. Strictly speaking, this is the whole of our business here, the only reason why life is prolonged, or for which it is truly desirable, that we may fill up our connections and situations, improve our comforts and our crosses, in such a manner as that God may be glorified in us and by us.

As he is a bountiful Master and a kind Father, he is pleased to afford a variety of temporal blessings, which sweeten our service, and as coming from his hand are very valuable. But they are by no means worth living for, considered in themselves, as they can neither satisfy our desires, preserve us from trouble, or support as under it. That light of God's countenance, which can pervade the walls and dissipate the gloom of a dungeon, is unspeakably preferable to all that can be enjoyed in a palace without it. The true end of life is, to live not to ourselves—but to Him who died for us; and while we devote ourselves to his service upon earth, to rejoice in the prospect of being happy with him forever in heaven.

The Divine Word
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. (1 Peter 3:10-16 KJVR)


The Human Commentary
We sanctify the Lord God in our hearts when we with sincerity and fervency adore him, when our thoughts of him are awful and reverend, when we rely upon his power, trust to his faithfulness, submit to his wisdom, imitate his holiness, and give him the glory due to his most illustrious perfections. We sanctify God before others when our deportment is such as invites and encourages others to glorify and honour him; both are required, Lev_10:3. "When this principle is laid deeply into your hearts, the next thing, as to men, is to be always ready, that is, able and willing, to give an answer, or make an apology or defence, of the faith you profess, and that to every man that asketh a reason of your hope, what sort of hope you have, or which you suffer such hardships in the world." ~Matthew Henry

For whence is it that we are overwhelmed with fear, and think ourselves lost, when danger is impending, except that we ascribe to mortal man more power to injure us than to God to save us? God promises that he will be the guardian of our salvation; the ungodly, on the other hand, attempt to subvert it. Unless God’s promise sustain us, do we not deal unjustly with him, and in a manner profane him? Then the Prophet teaches us that we ought to think honourably of the Lord of hosts; for how much soever the ungodly may contrive to destroy us, and whatever power they may possess, he alone is more than sufficiently powerful to secure our safety. Peter then adds, in your hearts. For if this conviction takes full possession of our minds, that the help promised by the Lord is sufficient for us, we shall be well fortified to repel all the fears of unbelief. ~ John Calvin

Endurance and Encouragement

"Jesus Himself was a man of sorrow, and acquainted with grief for our sakes. He drank the whole cup of unmixed wrath for us! Shall we then refuse to taste a sip of the cup of affliction at His appointment; especially when His wisdom and His love prepare it for us--and He proportions every circumstance to our strength; when He puts it into our hands, not in anger--but in tender mercy--to do us good, to bring us near to Himself; and when He sweetens every bitter sip with those comforts which none but He can give?" ~ John Newton

One of My Favorites

A HYMN TO GOD THE FATHER.

by John Donne


I.WILT Thou forgive that sin where I begun,

Which was my sin, though it were done before?

Wilt Thou forgive that sin, through which I run,

And do run still, though still I do deplore?

When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done,

For I have more.


II.Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won

Others to sin, and made my sin their door?

Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun

A year or two, but wallowed in a score?

When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done,

For I have more.


III.I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun

My last thread, I shall perish on the shore ;

But swear by Thyself, that at my death Thy Son

Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore ;

And having done that, Thou hast done ;

I fear no more.

True religion and true philosophy must ultimately arrive at the same principle.

from The American Dictionary of the English Language 1828, Noah Webster

PHILOS'OPHY, n. [L. philosophia; Gr. love, to love, and wisdom.]

1. Literally, the love of wisdom. But in modern acceptation, philosophy is a general term denoting an explanation of the reasons of things; or an investigation of the causes of all phenomena both of mind and of matter. When applied to any particular department of knowledge, it denotes the collection of general laws or principles under which all the subordinate phenomena or facts relating to that subject, are comprehended. Thus, that branch of philosophy which treats of God, etc. is called theology; that which treats of nature, is called physics or natural philosophy; that which treats of man is called logic and ethics, or moral philosophy; that which treats of the mind is called intellectual or mental philosophy, or metaphysics.The objects of philosophy are to ascertain facts or truth, and the causes of things or their phenomena; to enlarge our views of God and his works, and to render our knowledge of both practically useful and subservient to human happiness.True religion and true philosophy must ultimately arrive at the same principle.

2. Hypothesis or system on which natural effects are explained.We shall in vain interpret their words by the notions of our philosophy and the doctrines in our schools.

3. Reasoning; argumentation.

4. Course of sciences read in the schools.

A perpetually defeated thing that always survives her conquerors

From Foxes Book of Martyrs, John Foxe

Christ our Savior, in the Gospel of St. Matthew, hearing the confession of Simon Peter, who, first of all other, openly acknowledged Him to be the Son of God, and perceiving the secret hand of His Father therein, called him (alluding to his name) a rock, upon which rock He would build His Church so strong that the gates of hell should not prevail against it. In which words three things are to be noted: First, that Christ will have a Church in this world. Secondly, that the same Church should mightily be impugned, not only by the world, but also by the uttermost strength and powers of all hell. And, thirdly, that the same Church, notwithstanding the uttermost of the devil and all his malice, should continue.
Which prophecy of Christ we see wonderfully to be verified, insomuch that the whole course of the Church to this day may seem nothing else but a verifying of the said prophecy. First, that Christ hath set up a Church, needeth no declaration. Secondly, what force of princes, kings, monarchs, governors, and rulers of this world, with their subjects, publicly and privately, with all their strength and cunning, have bent themselves against this Church! And, thirdly, how the said Church, all this notwithstanding, hath yet endured and holden its own! What storms and tempests it hath overpast, wondrous it is to behold: for the more evident declaration whereof, I have addressed this present history, to the end, first, that the wonderful works of God in His Church might appear to His glory; also that, the continuance and proceedings of the Church, from time to time, being set forth, more knowledge and experience may redound thereby, to the profit of the reader and edification of Christian faith.

Do you like all the rain we have had?

"I also withheld the rain from you while there were still three months until harvest. I sent rain on one city--but no rain on another. One field received rain--while a field with no rain withered. I struck you with blight and mildew; the locust devoured your many gardens and vineyards, your fig trees and olive trees! I sent plagues like those of Egypt; I killed your young men with the sword . . . says the Lord." Amos 4:7-10

"The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them. At His direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever He commands them. He brings the clouds to punish men--or to water His earth and show His love." Job 37:10-13

Truly, then, God governs the elements!Earth and wind, fire and rain, hail and snow, stormy winds and angry seas--all obey His omnipotent word--and fulfill His sovereign pleasure! Therefore, when we complain about the weather, we are, in reality, murmuring against God! - Arthur W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God

Public education is as American as apple pie?

“A monopolistic system of education controlled by the state is far more efficient in crushing our liberty than the cruder weapons of fire and sword.”- J. Gresham Machen

“The first and basic premise of paganism, socialism, and Molech worship is its claim that the state owns the child” - R.J. Rushdoony

"Many public-school children seem to know only two dates--1492 and 4th of July; and as a rule they don't know what happened on either occasion." - Samuel Clemens

In God's suprising and glorious providence....

Congratulations Jonathan and Monique on your engagement! May our good God knit together your hearts, guard your minds and grow you in Godliness until that glorious day of your marriage vows and beyond.


My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. (Song of Solomon 2:10-13 KJVR)

The Means of Grace

The means of grace are in my hand The blessing is at God’s command
Who must the work fulfill;
And though I read, and watch and pray,Yet here the Lord directs my way
And worketh all things still.

I cannot speak a proper word, Nor think aright, but from the Lord
Preparing heart and tongue;
In Nature I can see no good,But all my good proceeds from God,
And does to grace belong.

I see it now, and do confess
My utter need of Jesus’ grace,And of His Spirit’s light;
I beg his kind and daily care;
O Lord, my heart and tongue prepareTo think and speak aright.

Prepare my heart to love thee well,
And love Thy truth which doth excel,And love thy children dear;
Instruct me how to live by faith,
And feel the virtue of Thy death,And find Thy presence near.

Prepare my tongue to pray and praise,
To speak of providential ways,And heavenly truth unfold;
To strengthen well a feeble soul,
Correct the Wanton, rouse the dull,And silence sinners bold.

John Berridge, 1716—1793

Sweetness

Voddie shoots straight concerning govenment education

Thank-you, Mr. Spurgeon! I needed that.

“When a man is anxious--he cannot pray with faith, or serve his Master. When you worry and fret about your lot and circumstances, you are meddling with Christ's business, and neglecting your own! You have been attempting "providing" work--and forgetting that it is yours to "obey". Be wise and attend to the obeying--and let Christ manage the providing.”- C.H. Spurgeon

"It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to." so goes the advise of the audacious and honorable Bilbo Baggins to his beloved nephew. Well, this fits my sentements all too well about starting a blog. While I know that this may be a little more than just a wee bit knuckle headed, since I will be using time to post that I should be doing many other more important things and since I may even get knee deep in the big muddy for sharing the thoughts in my head with...well...just about anyone in the whole universe who stumbles onto it, but nonetheless I can no longer continue being one of those unheard, almost invisible non-blogging bodies in the bounds of the great bog of nothingness. I am sure that sometimes I will ramble on about whatever shred of fact or fiction gets stuck between my ears (kinda like I am right now) and at other times I may discuss some serious topic (Theology, History or Politics are most likely). I am also sure that many times I will procrastinate to post for a irresponsible amount of time, but still something with in just keeps saying, "you gotta blog, man. Stop being so ... 80-ish". So hang tight, batten down the hatches, assume a comfortable position and get the pepto readybecause here goes nothin.................

Desiring the Word

The Inspired Word-
1Pe 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, (2) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (3) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Human Commentary
"by "the sincere milk of the word" is meant the Gospel, even the whole of it, and not, as elsewhere, the more plain and easy truths of it; which is compared to milk for its purity in itself, for every word of God is pure and for its purifying nature, as used by the Spirit of God; and for its sweetness and agreeable taste to a regenerate man" - John Gill

"The apostle, like a wise physician, having prescribed the purging out of vicious humours, goes on to direct to wholesome and regular food, that they may grow thereby. The duty exhorted to is a strong and constant desire for the word of God, which word is here called reasonable milk, only, this phrase not being proper English, our translators rendered it the milk of the word, by which we are to understand food proper for the soul, or a reasonable creature, whereby the mind, not the body, is nourished and strengthened." - Mattthew Henry

"After having taught the faithful that they had been regenerated by the word of God, he now exhorts them to lead a life corresponding with their birth. For if we live in the Spirit, we ought also to walk in the Spirit, as Paul says. (Galatians 5:25.) It is not, then, sufficient for us to have been once called by the Lord, except we live as new creatures. This is the meaning. But as to the words, the Apostle continues the same metaphor. For as we have been born again, he requires from us a life like that of infants; by which he intimates that we are to put off the old man and his works. Hence this verse agrees with what Christ says,
"Except ye become like this little child,ye shall not enter into the kingdom of God."(Matthew 18:2.)" - John Calvin

What's in the name?

It seems proper to take a few moments to explain the purpose behind the name I selected for this blog. I know it isn't terribly creative, but what do you expect from a government-schooled kid. At any rate, the title refers to the totality of life under the Lordship of Christ Jesus. When Jesus gave what has come to be called "the great commission", He Himself explained that while the scope of his mission was very large (baptizing and disciplining all nations), He had the power and authority to accomplish such a lofty plan. He prefaced the commission with, "All authority in Heaven and Earth has been given to me". Note how much of the universe's authority is claimed by Christ. All of it! All heavenly authority is His! Angels bow to Him and carry out His commands. He is their rightful master. But, all Earthly authority is likewise claimed by Him! He, on that day many years ago, declared Himself as the potentate of all sultans and senators, kings and caliphs, presidents and prelates. They all must answer to the Lord of lord's and the King of kings, whether they exercise authority in the family the church or the state. The apostle Paul explains in his first epistle to the Corinthians that Christ must reign, "till he hath put all enemies under his feet". But this life under the present reign of Christ, life under the Son, is the antithesis of life under the sun, which is spoken of in the book of Ecclesiastes, where Solomon is explaining the worthlessness of a life lived with a solely horizontal perspective. If one wakes in the morning, by God's grace I might add, to carry on his miserable existence for his own money, power, prestige, etc., apart from Christ. He is living life under the sun and will eventually realize, as Solomon explains, it is a "chasing after the wind". Futile! Vain! Ultimately worthless! This is the thesis of all the "isms" of history: materialism, humanism, rationalism, pluralism, modernism, postmodernism, and on and on goes the bedraggled list of failed suspects in the desert of philosophical ideas. Life under the Son, lived for Christ, is the sole answer to the question, "What is my ultimate purpose in life." Therefore, this blog, will he my humble attempt to flush out this weighty thesis as it affects the day to day happenings of the 21 st century and reminisce on its success or failure in previous generations.