Uplifting Wanderings

I had a rare opportunity to cruise around to some of my favorite blogs yesterday and was edified, uplifted and encouraged.  So…I wanted to share some of what I found.

 

Over at Amy’s Humble Musings, I had to laugh as I read this hilarious story of life in farming community.  She captures moments that express life at its fullest!  What would cause Emily Post to have a heart attack, anyway? 

 

 

 

Checking in with Ingrid over at The Hope Blog, I discovered that she and I share a love of Southern Gospel music.  Enjoy this delightful video of the Gaither Vocal Band along with her personal update here.

 

 

 

My next visit was to Generation Cedar where I found a list of Important Things for Mothers To Do.  To be honest, my ‘important list of things to do’ is quite extensive right now and I’m barely keeping my head above water; however, Kelly’s list had a different twist to it that gave me pause.   Here’s a snippet.

Important things for mothers to say to their children:

• “I love being with you.”
• “You make my day better.”
• “You’re a gift.”
• “I’m so glad God gave you to us.”
• “God has a great plan for you…don’t stop serving Him.”
• “There’s no place I’d rather spend the day than with you.”
• “You make me laugh.”
• “What I want more than anything on earth is for you to “seek first the Kingdom of God”.

 

Boy!  Did that one hit home!  Implementing this list ASAP!

Also at Kelly’s blog, I was introduced to a pianist named Jon Schmidt.  I’ve never heard of this young composer before, but his music is fantastic!   Here’s the video that she shared,

 

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” 
Numbers 6:24-26

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Have a beautiful weekend!

 

 

 

Hitler’s Cross-A Review

I first heard of this book while listening to a radio talk show last year.  It was late in the Presidential campaign season and the talk show host was expressing concerns for a possible win by Barrack Obama.  He compared the economic, political and culture climate of this country to pre-Hitler Germany and found many disturbing similarities.  Intrigued, I quickly ordered a copy and began reading. 

Erwin Lutzer, the author, is senior pastor of Moody Church in Chicago.  I am familiar with Pastor Lutzer from the John Ankerberg Show that I used to watch.   He wrote this book in 1995 and states in the introduction that while visiting a museum in Berlin, that

“…pictures that caught my attention were those of Protestant pastors and Catholic priests giving the Nazi salute.  I was even more surprised at the pictures of swasticka banners that adorned the Christian churches–swastika banners with the cross of Christ in the center!”   pg. 12

Pastor Lutzer, then, determined to “..study how Hitler had captured the Christian church…” pg. 12.   In this book he examines the questions

“What clues were there in the history of Germany that prepared the country (and its churches) for such a mass seduction?  Could it happen again?  More to the point, is it happening now, even in America, albeit in a different way?  What signs should have alerted the church to Hitler’s real agenda?   pg. 12

Stepping back to 1920, Lutzer begins by setting the stage in Germany after the First World War for a new leader.   The proud, German people were devistated after the war and

“yearned for a leader who would do for them what democracy could not.” 

“Winston Churchill observed Hitler in 1937 and said that his accomplishments were “among the most remarkable in the whole history of the world.”  pg. 17

Hitler, apparently, was off to a positive start, however, the philosophies of the time strongly influenced him and his henchmen.  Georg Hegel, Friedrich Nietzsche, Ludwig Feuerbach, and Hinduism all had twisted ideas of God and man that swayed Hitler’s worldview and guided his decisions and policies.   In chapter three, ‘The Religion of the Third Reich: Then and Now’, Lutzer touches on spiritual mentors of Hitler who led him into occult practices which included sexual perversion and his desire to create a new religion that 

“would be “a joyous message that liberated men from the things that burdened their life.  We should no longer have any fear of death and a bad conscience.”  pg.62

Lutzer theorizes that these evil philosophies also influenced Christians and while being 

“Seduced by the Satanic majesty of The Fuhrer, church leaders throughout Germany allowed the Swastika a prominent place alongside the Christian cross in their sanctuaries.  Nationalistic pride replaced the call of God to purity, and with few exceptions the German church looked away while Adolph Hitler implemented his “Final Solution” to his Jewish problem.”  from the back cover

The chapters of this book thoroughly examine the religion of the Third Reich, Anti-Semitism, the Church struggling to stand for Truth and ‘The Cost of Discipleship’ (with an interesting perspective on Dietrich Bonhoeffer).   Lutzer finishes his writings by suggesting that America has its own ‘hidden cross’.  He warns that

“Despite the differences, the American church, like that of Nazi Germany, is in danger of wrapping the cross of Christ in some alien flag.  There is evidence, I am sorry to say, that we evangelicals have lost our confidence in the gospel as “the power of God unto salvation.”  pg. 191

“…if the German church has taught us the dangers of blind obedience to government, we must eschew the mindless philosophy “My country, right or wrong.”  pg. 204

May I propose that in the fourteen years since this book was written, the American church has failed to heed these warnings.  With mainline denominations teaching another gospel, the Emergent Church leading the way into New Age thinking, ‘Christian’ leaders who aren’t willing to stand for or teach Truth, and many looking to America for their salvation, true believers today must be ever vigilant to discern the times. 

“And in the final conflict,…Christ will set the record straight.  Those who were faithful to Him and His cross will be rewarded with “joy unspeakable and full of glory.”  All rival crosses will be exposed and judged, and every knee shall bow and “every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”   pg. 207

~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~

 

 

A Simple Woman’s Daybook

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

For today…July 6, 2009

From my comfy chair…birds singing * an unusually cool morning * a bright morning sky

I am thankful for…a faithful Savior * vacations * loving friends * routines

I am remembering…our family vacation * kayaking * cool mountains streams * amusement parks * white-water rafting * fireworks * pickling green beans * lots of games of Sequence *

Around the house…stacks of mail to sort * suitcases & clutter that need organizing

I am thinking…of my family–my mother-in-law’s, brother’s & nephew’s birthdays * that I would love to catch up with my sister-in-law * of all the things on my ‘to do’ list * how I miss our old cat that passed away recently

I am reading…Truth War by John MacArthur * Proclaiming the Gospel newsletter * Daniel

I am creating…lots of zucchini bread * a new living room design * daily bread recipe with home-milled wheat flour * lesson plans for the next six-week period

From the learning room…back to lessons Tuesday * incorporating some new record-keeping techniques gleaned from convention

A few plans for the rest of the week…clean camper * errands in town * swim meet on Wednesday * catching up on insurance filing * lots of laundry * weed pulling in garden

One of my favorite things…coming home after vacation.

A Scripture thought to share…”But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.”  Psalm 3:3

A snapshot of our vacation…Sha-Kon-O-Hey–Land of Blue Smoke

Have a blessed week!

~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~

P.S.–Grandmother Wren is hosting The Simple Woman’s Daybook while Peggy takes the summer off.  You can visit her site at http://grandmotherwren.com/.

 

 

 

A Vulnerable Heel

From:  Letters of John Newton

“In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes.”
2 Corinthians 2:11

Satan knows knows how to suit his temptations to our personal tempers and circumstances. And if, like Achilles, you have a vulnerable heel–the old serpent will be sure to strike there!

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.”
Ephesians 6:11

HT: Grace Gem

Listen carefully, Christian!

HT: Truth Matters

Alive to God

“The atoning death of Christ, and that alone, has presented sinners as righteous in God’s sight; the Lord Jesus has paid the full penalty of their sins, and clothed them with His perfect righteousness before the judgment seat of God.

But Christ has done for Christians even far more than that. He has given to them not only a new and right relation to God, but a new life in God’s presence for evermore. He has saved them from the power as well as from the guilt of sin.

The New Testament does not end with the death of Christ; it does not end with the triumphant words of Jesus on the Cross, “It is finished.” The death was followed by the resurrection, and the resurrection like the death was for our sakes.

Jesus rose from the dead into a new life of glory and power, and into that life He brings those for whom He died. The Christian, on the basis of Christ’s redeeming work, not only has died unto sin, but also lives unto God.”

—J. Gresham Machen, Christianity & Liberalism

HT: Of First Importance

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Amen

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 
(2 Corinthians 1:20)

The word “amen” is a most remarkable word.  It is transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages so that it is practically a universal word.  It has been called the best-known word in human speech.

The word is directly related–in fact, almost identical–to the Hebrew word for “believe” (aman), or “faithful.”  Thus, it came to mean “sure” or “truly,” an expression of absolute trust and confidence.  When one believes God, he indicates his faith by an “amen.”  When God makes a promise, the believer’s response is “amen”–”so it will be!”  In the New Testament it is often translated “verily” or “truly.”  When we pray according to His Word and His will, we know God will answer, so we close with an “amen,” and so also do we conclude a great hymn or anthem of praise and faith. 

The word is even a title of Christ Himself.  The last of His letters to the seven churches begins with a remarkable salutation by the glorified Lord:  “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God”  (Revelation 3:4).  We can be preeminently certain that His Word is always faithful and true because He is none other than the Creator of all things, and thus He is our eternal “Amen.”

As our text reminds us, every promise of God in Christ is “yea and amen,” as strong and affirmation of truth as can be expressed in the Greek language. 

It is, therefore, profoundly meaningful that the entire Bible closes with an “amen.”  “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen”  (Revelation 22:21), assuring everyone who reads these words that the whole Book is absolutely true and trustworthy.  Amen!  

Henry M. Morris, Ph.D 
Days of Praise, Tuesday, June 16

Home Education

Saturday, I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Voddie Baucham speak at our state homeschool convention.  The following video is not from the convention but is similar in nature to what I heard. 

I love the phrase that ‘if you send your children to Caesar’s school, you shouldn’t be surprised if they come out as Romans.’   Oh!  So True!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

By the way, this video was posted on youTube by American Vision.  Including this video on my blog is not an endorsement of that organization.

Jesus is God

From Good Morning, LORD!

 

QUESTION FOR THE DAY:

Dear Compass,I am being told that Jesus and God are the same. I believe that Jesus is God’s son, but not God. My son and I are two separate people/identities, yet we work together for the same cause. I just don’t see how Jesus is God. Why would He pray to himself? It seems that too many people say Jesus is God and they don’t mean it literally. Can you explain?

ANSWER:

Whenever you seek to understand doctrinal issues, it is important to use only the Bible for reference. If God is who He says He is, then He gave us an uncorrupted Bible to study (2Pet 1:21) just as if He were personally speaking to us (Heb 4:12).The Bible makes it clear that there is only one God: Isa. 45:5, “I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God…” 1Cor 8:6 “…there is but one God…” Gal 3:20, “…God is only one.” 1 Tim 1:17 “…the only God,…” James 2:19 “You believe that God is one. You do well;”

Yet the Bible also presents God as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Father- John 6:27, 1 Pet 1:2; The Son Jesus Christ- Matt 9:44, Col 1:17, John 5:27; The Holy Spirit- Acts 5:3-4, 1 Cor 2:10, John 3:5,6,8. In Matthew 28:19, all three persons are in one verse, “Go therefor and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Notice the word “name” in the phrase “in the name of.” “Name” is singular, instead of “names,” which is plural, even though it is referring to three.

There are several direct and specific references to Jesus being God:

John 14:9 “…He who has seen Me has seen the Father;”

John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.”

John 8:58 “Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’”

John 5:21 “Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom He is pleased to give it.”

No doubt, the trinity is a difficult to grasp doctrine, and the Bible says so:

Phil 2:6 “although He (Jesus) existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,”

So, pray to God that He would give you a peace regarding basing your beliefs solely on scripture, the doctrine of the Trinity, and specifically, that Jesus is God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Satan’s “Yea, hath God said…?” Strategy

T.A. McMahon, of The Berean Call, has written a hard-hitting article titled, ‘The Battle over Truth for Our Youth’.    McMahon rightly asserts that Satan, from the beginning, has employed a subversive strategy of questioning God’s Word in his effort to draw sinners away from Truth.  Today, we find,

The “Yea, hath God said…?” strategy has been very successful in undermining the critical belief in the sufficiency of the Word of God.  Although the Bible claims to be sufficient for “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3), many Christians who profess to believe the Bible no longer regard it as sufficient.

‘Sola scriptura’, or scripture alone, was a battle cry of the Reformation.  Today, however, our youth are being seduced by churches and parachurch ministries that offer,

the “new” experiences, … religious art (primarily impressionistic images of “Jesus”), “biblical” films, rituals based upon Catholic/Orthodox liturgy, “community,” personal relationships, contemplative spirituality and mysticism (some include yoga), Bible “dialogues,” ecumenical interaction with “people of faith,” a social gospel, plans to save the planet, restore the kingdom, and so forth.

McMahon concludes that the only preventative measure for such enticements is to ground our children in God’s Word; to discipline and teach them sound doctrine.  I would add that parents must be the primary providers of this teaching and discipleship.  Sunday School teachers, youth pastors and private schools will NOT be held accountable for what YOUR child is taught.  YOU WILL BE!  

Sadly, the following is so true:

The Bible is the most exciting book there is, yet for years here in the U.S. our children have been fed a “let me entertain you” diet with only a hint of scriptural nutrition. That’s part of Satan’s “Yea, hath God said…?” strategy. The consequence is an upcoming generation that is, for the most part, spiritually anemic and ripe for the various schemes of apostasy. Deprived of the objective truths of Scripture, they are easy prey for those who would entice them through the subjective and experiential, that is, their “feelings.” Nevertheless, our marching orders involve a rescue operation as found in 2 Timothy 2:24-25: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”   (emphasis mine)

I encourage you to read the entire artice which can be found at this link:  http://www.thebereancall.org/node/7636. 

 ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~