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