Pleasures of This World

Why is it that despite the amazing gift of salvation and the love and provision of God that we as growing believers still wish for the things of this world. Perhaps this is because I have not grown spiritually as much as I wish I had so far or perhaps my focus is in the wrong places. God has called us to a different lifestyle than those that do not know him as their Savior. When you are around unsaved individuals that are quite content in their situation and "enjoying life to the fullest" by their standards, I wish to have that same fulfillment that they have in their instant gratification of any desire they have. Whether our desires are the use of our money for useless items, for drinking to the point of not remembering anything and letting go of all self control and not worrying about any consequences, to whatever desire comes into your mind.
Why don't we(maybe its just me) continually feel fulfilled in God's promises and what blessing he has given us for now? Please share your thoughts.

Internship

Just wanted to give you guys an update on my life. I'm at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, happily serving as an intern. Today was our first day and it was great. The leaders are wonderful, the congregation is mature, the fellow interns are humble and serious. I wish you all could be here with me doing this internship. You would all love it immensely. And married guys can do it! I would seriously encourage any of you to consider doing this. Especially you, Jared, because you aren't starting seminary or moving to Mexico any time soon. There's that for what it's worth. If you want, make a visit for a weekend and you guys can see what you think.

ANYWAY! I would love to hear what's going on in your lives. I realize a lot of things are going for a few of you. I love and miss you guys.

To initiate or participate? That is the question.

"He does not care to serve the Good, but to have the advantage of regarding it as a fruit of conquest... He wills that the Good shall triumph through him, that he shall be the instrument, he the chosen one... He cannot, he will not, humbly understand that the Good can get on without him."

In chapter six, "Barriers to Willing One Thing: Egocentric Service to the Good," Kierkegaard addresses the man who wills the Good just so he can add more notch to the belt. This double-minded man reveals his character by his pride and lust for recognition. He is not simply satisfied with participating in the providential will of God in history.

One of the back cover reviews writes, "To read this book with care is to know oneself pursued by 'The Hound of Heaven'." God really has been pursuing me through this book. God has been teaching me and challenging me in innumerable ways through S.K.'s book. This chapter, in particular, has caused me to take stock of my motives in service to God. Would I be satisfied with the role of the servant whose accomplishments aren't recognized this side of eternity? I have to realize that eternity's reward is infinitely better than any earthly recognition or reward. However, to do so requires patience - an immense amount. Impatience leads to desiring the victory of the Good in a temporal and selfish sense - desiring it through self. It fails to realize that "eternally the Good has always been victorious."

In essence, I'm reminded of Dr. Shu's challenge to us. (I don't remember which class.) I do clearly remember him challenging us to think through whether we believe we are here on this earth to intiate or participate. This challenge has honestly been on my mind the last year or so since he gave it. I've certainly come to the conclusion that I'm here to participate: to participate in the infinitely wise and expansive plan of God. However, in the temporal sense, filled with pride and worldly lust, the norm is to initiate. The world looks for leaders who get things done, people who make a difference in the here and now. Initiation is a moment, a constant change at the mercy of public opinion. Participation interacts with the eternal, a patient humility that actively realizes that God's plan is higher than ours.

One of the greatest benefits of this work, I believe, is the deep, soul-searching insights into motivation. What drives my service to God? In his efforts to write this book, he was not simply propogating an individualism that would ultimately morph into what we now know as existentialism; he was inciting believers to view their true selves in light of absolute solitude with God. Oddly enough, not a bad idea.

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8

Thoughts on Our Context

I am almost through reading Timothy George's "Theology of the Reformers," and a continuing stream of thought in the book is the considering of the contexts out of which these men emerged. It should be made clear that this is not to say that these men are merely the product of an age or that culture and society shape people - that is hardly the case. Yet we should understand that these men were shaped (positively and negatively) by the ideas and movements of their time. Certainly they did not acquiesce to every stream of thought or to every principle of an ideology. It cannot be denied however that men always must address, act and react according to the major movers of the age. Moreover, the authors, theologians and philosophers of the past that we choose to interact with also shape us as we embrace or articulately reject their assertions.

What I wanted to highlight for us as budding theologians/thinkers is the personal respect in which this same principle is active. In other words, we are very much the product of the contexts that we live in or deliberately choose to participate. And consequently the shape or emphasis of our particular ministries, writings and lives are the result of the choices we make as we interact with these men. A short but recent example would be our college experience. Principally, we sat under Colin and Dr. Shumaker, who invariably have shaped our thinking in ways we do and do not yet recognize. A cursory examination of our discussions, writings and conversations reveal this. I have found it interesting to connect the thoughts and desires and actions of my current life to past events and experiences. Of course, the Guide, Mover and Example of our life intersects with each of these events and shapes us as He wills after the image of His Son. Through His revealed will (the Word) and through the mysteries of His providence He surely works to shape us. As we recount our lives and consider His ways, we find at least two simple responses. First, a humble gratitude that we know and understand Him in a redemptive way. Secondly, the responsibility incumbent upon us to act, react, think and move in the context of thinkers and ideas in which we participate.

Preaching

Brothers,
This Sunday July 20th, I will have the opportunity to preach at a small church plant. I would like to ask for your prayers in preparation for the sermon, delievery, and that I would be open to the Lord's teaching. I am excited about this sermon because it is my first opportunity to preach without basing any portion of the message on any message that I have done in a Preaching class. My passage is 1 Cor. 7:17-24.

As a second note I am still planning on being off-campus this year at BBC. I think I have found a roommate or two, but now we need to find an apartment. I will be trying to get specific details in the next few weeks.(I hope)

Mexico City Here We Come

Upon Colby's request, I am posting an article to update you guys about our upcoming venture to Mexico.

The hand of God has been clearly evident as plans and finances come together. We have already received about $5,000 in support, and more churches have indicated that they will also give. It's truly great to experience firsthand the charity and love of the Body of Christ. I also had a great conversation with my landlord last night as well. She is a godly lady (even a Baptist), and she is going to try to find someone to fill our apartment by the end of August, so that we will even get our security deposit back. She is also connecting us to a Mexican family here in Hatfield who will be moving back to Mexico at the same time Hannah and I do. They are Seventh Day Adventist and the husband is a lay pastor, but she fears that when they move back, they may get discouraged and drift away from God.

Beyond that, my dad and I have been working out a schedule for our time down there. I will have the oppurtunity to preach and teach in the two churches my dad is pastoring. I'll be preaching at least once a month in both churches, and helping to teach in the new church plant. Hannah will be helping my mom in some of her ministries, and she will be focused on intensive Spanish language study.

Hannah and I have been praying that this oppurtunity will strengthen our resolve to serve God in Mexico City. We also hope and pray that we will grow closer to the Lord and closer to each other. Personally, I've been praying that I would be sensitive to Hannah in her transition to Mexico City. While I've been through the whole process before, this will be entirely new for Hannah.

If you could be praying for us, Hannah and I would really appreciate it. We still have some details to work out on the state side, so pray that those would fall into place. Our tentative date for departure is August 18th, and Lord willing we will be there until at least January. I'll continue to keep you updated, but that's all for now. Love you guys.

Reformers and Moleskin

Hey guys, just wanted to contribute a few things from my readings and doings. One of the reasons I am slowly poking along in S.K. is because I have three books to read before my internship begins. I am on my last one and it is called "Theology of the Reformers" by Timothy George. Some interesting thoughts have struck me as I have read about Luther and now Zwingli:

First of all, these reformers all had a high view of God. These are surely the greatest accomplishment of the Reformation - The reclaiming of the supremecy of the Word, Christ and God's sovereignty. Each of the reformers also had their mistakes. It is encouraging to see their humanity and shortcomings amidst a great movement of God. Even theologically speaking, the men of the reformation did not completely conform to Biblical theology (in my estimation). However, the culture, society and church from which they were emerging was such that we should be very grateful for the indelible marks they made in church history and the spirit of reformation they passed on to us. "Semper Reforma" (always reforming) is one of the commonly forgotten mantras of the reformation that we should continue to practice.

On another note, I have acquired a few moleskin notebooks/journals for this internship. While my emotions toward these notebooks and those who owned them have been mixed up to this point, I must say that they are truly a blessing to humanity and the world of thought and thinkers. I hope that including myself or us into that last statement was not too presumptuous...

s.k. background info

I found an interesting article highlighting the life and work of Kierkegaard. It accompanies the book's introduction well by providing a succint overall view of S.K.

http://www.egs.edu/resources/kierkegaard.html

Colby's Comments

Pardon the alliteration, it is the missionary in me. It is encouraging to know that you guys are reading and studying; it will provoke me to do more. Right now I am beginning to study Hebrew again: writing out paradigms, reading OT Textual Criticism, doing vocab, and hopefully translating. I began this week it hopes of testing out of Hebrew I and II here at TEDS. Right now I am signed up for a OT Intro to the Pentateuch and Geography of Bible Lands. Hopefully I can take some Hebrew courses if I test well.

My job has been going well. I work for an electrician who does high-end residential work. This week I was in a 5 million dollar house. The sad part is that it was a summer house for its owners. The new aspects of my job are driving through Chicago traffic and using pipe to run wires in (something they do here in Chicago). Em and I are looking for a church: you can pray about that. It seems that it is hard to find a solid church around here. The one we liked the most had a woman SS teacher for a mixed group. I wasn't sure what to think. She did a good job though!

Besides learning to love and enjoy my wife, I have been reading Ecclesiastes. I am on my second time through, and the dots are starting to connect. I may post about it later, but I will offer a few comments. There seems to be a difference between our hearts finding pleasure in our toil and enjoying our toil. It seems that our hearts reward should be our Creator, while we should enjoy the lot he has given us. This is especially encourages me because after arriving at graduation from college, marriage, and a job I need to still find pleasure in God above all and not consider my work drudgery.I might want to shun earthly pleasures so I can enjoy God, but actually I should delight in God and the things he has given me: wife, food, drink, work. Well, that is all for now. Please excuse more more colloquial style. I would love to chat with you guys. Maybe Jeremy can do a post on his plans to go to Mexico. Farewell.

Religious Affections 1

I’d like to share some thoughts from readings I’ve been doing in Edwards’ Religious Affections. He makes the cause, rather strongly in fact, that true religion lies in or rather is evidenced by our affections. Hardness of heart, while often implying the presence of sin, also speaks to a lack of what he calls “true religion,” best understood as an active walk with God. He cautions however though that the presence or the perceived presence of religious affections does not always mean a correct walk with God. Discernment here is key. That being said, Edwards’ rightly emphasizes that a proper understanding of God’s redemptive plan creates true affections. “If the great things of religion are rightly understood, they will affect the heart.” He further claims that a lack of affections is really a symbol of a lack of true religion. For while one can fake emotions and desires, one cannot hide the joy and gratitude that accompany a proper understanding of the redemptive work of Christ.

This struck a chord within me as I am so swayed and captivated often by earthly emotions and yet cold and emotionless in my worship and walk with God. I shamefully have to admit more excitement upon receiving my new cell phone that receiving the Word of God. This ought not be so!
“How can they (I) sit and hear of the infinite height and depth and length and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus, of his giving his infinitely dear Son, to be offered up a sacrifice for the sins of men, and of the unparalleled love of the innocent, holy and tender Lamb of God, manifested in his dying agonies, his bloody sweat, his loud and bitter cries, and bleeding heart, and all this for enemies, to redeem them from deserved, eternal burnings, and to bring to unspeakable and everlasting joy and glory; and yet be cold, and heavy, insensible, and regardless! Where are the exercises of our affections proper, if not here? What is it that does more require them? If we ought to exercise our affections at all…then they ought to be exercised about those objects which are most worthy of them…How great a cause have we therefore to be humbled to the dust, that we are no more affected!” (123-124)

TURN OFF THE NOISE!

In this trek through Purity of Heart, I have read dozens of things I would love to write about, but one aspect really stands out right now. Turn off the noise!

"But he that in truth becomes at one with himself, he is in the silence. And this is indeed like a changing of raiment: to strip oneself of all that is as full of noise as it is empty, in order to be hidden in the silence, to become open. This silence is the simple festivity of the holy act of confession. For at dancing and festive occasions worldly judgment holds that the more musicians, the better. But when we are thinking of divine things, the deeper the stillness the better (47-48)."

As I read this book, I live in a culture surrounded by noise. Next door I can hear my neighbor's radio as I write. Distraction constantly persists everywhere I am; even as I pray, my mind wanders. It wanders into frivolity: what will I do later? what will I do at work? what time is it? My mind is constantly seemingly enslaved to the temporal. Yet, in the stillness the eternal reigns.

However, this stillness is not a forced emotion. It involves a collected preperation - a collected mind. "Nor is he like the poet who wishes to seek out loneliness and its mood (50)." In preperation for this stillness, just turn off the noise. It does not mean to merely be in a quiet place (though personally I find that essential), it carries the idea of ridding mental distraction and contemplating the seriousness of sin. This preparation for confession has altered the way I have my daily devotions; it has altered the way I pray; it has altered the way I view myself. Coming to God in stillness horrifies me quite honestly. I realize sin after sin as I ask God to reveal them in my life. At the same time though, it astounds me. I am astounded that as I bring each of these sins before God, he forgives me. That is an elementary sunday school truth, but the reality of it is truly amazing.

In this stillness, I learn more of myself. I learn more of my weakness and failures in light of the presence of a Holy God. I also learn however that I am freed from those failures. I am counted as righteous. I am a saint. "The all-knowing One does not get to know something about the maker of the confession, rather the maker of confession gets to know about himself (50-51)." Perhaps, another fascinating discussion on the nature of prayer and confession, but right now I cite it as an example of the benefit of intimacy with God. I have realized that intimacy with the Father leads to a greater intimacy with myself and knowing the true terror of my apalling sin which leads to true repentance and confession.

I hope that you guys are also benefitting from this book. I hope to hear some of your thoughts about what you find interesting or what you have been learning. I hope the pre-existentialism is not rubbing off on you too much though, we're still a community you know. We can share our thoughts.

"to a scientist, all dying boys are equal"

After recently reading Catch-22, this one sentence has been seared into my memory and weighs upon my thoughts. Although it compromises one sentence of one paragraph of an entire book, this sentence creates a haunting image of a cold and sterile modern machine where the sanctity of human life has lost any sense of value in the name of progress.
Literature, I believe, provides much more than an entertaining story line; it grants us insight into the culture in which we live and minister. (Granted, this book was written about 50 years ago, but then again, imagine how far culture has "progressed" since.) In a world where science textbooks replace God's word, and scientists the new prophets of this progressive writ, is it any wonder people have no hope? Rather, the world has turned to musicians to empathize, actors to entertain, the internet to delude, self-centered spirituality to comfort, authors to bestow wisdom, and scientists to answer. Everyone is just "looking for love in all the wrong places."
However, they are looking for love. They are looking for guidance. They are looking for Truth. God has instilled those desires in their very nature, and he has given them a means of attaining it - his Word, taught and lived by His church. We have the answers. We have been given the freedom to love as we ought. Not all dying boys are equal. The church of God should not be just another sterile, indifferent modernist institution. We do value human life because God values human life.
I guess in light of this, I would ask you, "How does our understanding of culture (in this case literature) better enable us to minister effectively in the society which God has placed us?" And, "How do we balance using culture as a means of evangelistic discussion while still maintaining the Bible as supreme authority?"

Let me know what you think.

Picking up the Torch of Hebrew Scholarship

The address at the bottom of this post will take you to an article by the New York Times (it figures) concerning a "deadly blow" to Christendom as we know it. The big news: Hebrew literature speaks of a suffering Messiah! Woah - what? Really? Uh oh... time I ask for my brain back (and my money) because I didn't realize that I'd had that one pulled over my eyes.

Do these people really think they are doing scholarly work? I mean, have they read Hebrew Scripture? Okay, so let's take a trip back to the oldest Hebrew literature we can find... oh, say, Genesis. How about Genesis 3:15 where God says to the serpent, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." Sounds like the Deliverer is going to suffer. Not to mention the book of Isaiah and the whole bloody sacrificial system.

Oh, and then there was Jesus who talked about His own death all the time. Said He was going to die and be raised on the third day, but that must have been added by His followers afterward. Funny that they should add that and then die for it, hmmm. And never-mind the proliferation of Hebrew and Christian literature which document this Jesus fellow thoroughly. Let's be real scholars and bet our eternities on a single stone with a few words on it that every elementary Hebrew student knows like "three" (sh'losh) and day (yom) and prince (Tsar). Let's fill in the blanks, or ignore them because this is rock solid evidence that Christianity is a historical hoax! (Plus, the font of the Hebrew letters put it just before Jesus lived, not after, because font changes a lot in 100 years.)

I should probably address this with a more refined article, but the whole issue seems like a feeble attempt to discredit Christianity.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/world/middleeast/06stone.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

shmicolin

I remember about two weeks into Hebrew 1 when I was quite literally dying and he called me up to the board. As of that moment, I will never ever forget the word, "yad." I do believe though that we are incredibly blessed because we were the last class to get into Hebrew. God's timing in putting us there and putting Colin in our lives cannot be overlooked. I fear to think what we would be like on the backside of college without Colin's wisdom and teachings to mold us and guide us. Not only was he a outstanding teacher, he was simply an outstanding man. His evident love for his wife and children will leave an indelible mark on us as we pursue and grow in our relationships with our wives/future wives. His sense of humor balanced with his immense fear of God remind us of the beautiful symmetry evident in the lives of God's faithful servants. His scholarship manifested itself no only in his giant intellect, but in his humility. I remember when he was telling us about his teachers, and he remarked that all the truly scholarly men he knew were also deeply humble. Surely, Colin's humility did not go unnoticed by his students or his peers. His heart for his students and congregation should inspire us to mentor and impact the lives of others as he did for us. Colin has impacted us more than he would ever have even known. He did not just teach us Hebrew, he taught us to love scholarship and supremely to love God's word. Unfortunately, it has taken his passing to remind me of the Godsend he was. However, I know that Colin is transformed into that final degree of glory with our Savior, Jesus Christ. I rejoice with him and for him. He is home.

Remembering Colin

I would have to echo with Josh the class of the candy corn/apple incident in Ruth/Esther was a very memorable Colin class.

I remember the first time that he called me out in Hebrew class and I pronounced something in Hebrew with an "eh" instead of "ahh". He asked me was I from Upstate/Western NY and I said yes. He then replied, "I am sorry, that accent will be a curse to you for as long as you live!"

I always enjoyed when Colin brought modern culture into our "ancient" language classes. The one class he asked, "Have anyone of you watched 8 mile?" With no response, he continued, "you know the movie aboout Eminem the rapper who grew up in Detroit." He thought it was a shame that we had never seen that movie and asked us what we do with our time anyhow?!?!

Then there were the Colin phrases that will never be forgotten. The one Men's Meeting when he answered the question with, "There are entrances and exits...don't confuse the two." Or when he would be begin to write something and mess up, "OH RHONDA!". Last but not least the comeback for everything that we did not know in his class in which he thought we should have known, "They didn't teach you this is Sunday School?!?!?!"

When thinking of Colin, what impressed me the most was his humility as a servant of God, his faithfulness to the Word, and his relationship with his Savior. He taught his students to develop a love for the Word in which one would ultimately develop a deeper love for the author of the Word.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (In memory of Colin)

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Iysh Gadol

I thought it would be rather appropriate for us to express honor and gratefulness to God for this great man who served us for two particular years of our college lives. His influence in our thinking and living will abide and has been a gracious gift to us. I have recorded a few of my favorite memories, although there are several more. I would appreciate hearing yours as well. We all knew and loved him, and his smiling face and giddy spirit are now being fulfilled in the glorious presence of our Redeemer.


Exegesis of Ruth and Esther was one of his most remarkable classes. I'm glad Paul talked me into dropping homiletics for it. In the fall of that year ('06) he loved eating candy corn. One time during class he had a handful of candy corn while he was writing on the chalkboard with the other hand. He popped another piece of candy in his mouth and then started spitting out what was really the chalk he had been writing with.

Soon after that, someone threw an apple threw the open window of room 224 and hit a student in the back. Colin swiftly picked up the apple, ran to the window and called the villain to "show yourself!"

And then, there was the time he held his grandchild for half of the class while he taught us Ecclesiology in Theo IV. Never did a man more brilliantly harmonize scholarship and love; his mind and his heart both beat for the glory of God, His Word and His church.

Colby Wedding

I know Colby will not be reading this for awhile but I would like to congratulate him on becoming married. It was a beautiful wedding and wonderful people! I love you guys and the discussions we share along with the memorable times. I pray all is well with everyone that reads this and I thank God for the influence that each and everyone of you have had in my life.

God Bless,

Rick

Starting Soren

Hey Guys (And Jeremy especially)

I have also acquired Purity of Heart, so whenever you want to begin, I think most people are ready. Also, if you don't want to or don't have time to fiddle around with Zechariah, that's ok. Just let me know. I hope you are doing well, and I'll see you all in a week!

P.S. If anyone has seen my brown striped dress shirt, I left it at Jeremy's wedding somewhere. I haven't had it since. Tim actually brought it to me there, but I left it again. I know, sounds like something Jeremy would do...

The Lord Remembers

That is of course the name of the book we are studying. You will recognize "zachar" and the tell-tale "YH" at the end. What I'll do next is simply give you the translation of Zechariah 1:1-6 as I have it and make some notes:

[1] "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the Word of the LORD was to Zechariah son of Bereciah son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

[2] 'The LORD is angry concerning your fathers an anger [The LORD is exceedingly angry].

[3] And you will say to them, "thus says the LORD of Hosts,
'Turn to me,' utters the LORD of Hosts, 'And then I will turn to you,' says the LORD of Hosts."

[4] "Do not be like your fathers which the first prophets called to them saying,
'Thus says the LORD of Hosts, "Turn from your evil ways and evil practices,"
And they did not listen, and they did not listen attentively to me,' utters the LORD.

[5] "Your fathers where are they? and do the prophets live eternally?

[6] But my words and my statutes which I have commanded to my servants the prophets overtook your fathers,
and then they turned, and they said,
'just as the LORD of Hosts planned to do to us according to our ways and our practices
thus He did to us.'"

Alrighty then...

[1] Note the opening Time Clause or TC. Colin pointed those out and how they are important for narrative. They give the setting and placement for the occasion. Important in this particular TC is that the book is dated according to Darius' reign. Of course, he is a pagan king. Thus we can see that Israel is in captivity and the book is tragically not dated according to a king of Israel.

Bereciah = The Lord blesses
Iddo = His Time

[2] Interesting way of saying that God is exceedingly angry - very Hebrew.

[3] Note the Consecutive Waw in the perfect tense. Maybe someone could help me out a bit more on the importance of that for syntactical purposes. I think it just highlights the cause and effect - God is angry, so the prophet speaks. The "LORD of Hosts" is a very important title for God in this book. Note the imperative form of "turn" (shuvu).

Also note the conditional structure, If you turn, I will turn. I don't know how this relates to a Greek understanding of conditional clauses, but the verbs are interesting to note...

[4] The parsing guide points out that the opening verb "do not be" is jussive in meaning but not in form (except for "al").

I thought the passage came to a focus on the fact that with all of the speaking going on by God and the prophets that the key turning point was that the people refused to listen or listen closely.

[5] Helpful example of questions. Did I get the adjectives properly?

[6] Note the H-stem verb "overtook". Also note the two PTN verbs. Highlights the theme of turning and speaking and the reasons why - namely God's actions.

That's all I got. I hope that helps. Help me - there's some interesting things here.

Colby Wedding Reminder

[My Dear Groomsmen, here is a reminder from my dear fiancee:

Please remember to bring black dress socks and shoes and a black belt. The rehearsal will begin Friday promptly at 5pm and we want to finish and start eating within an hour so please come on time. If you have any questions about directions you can call Emily (cell 734-626-5496 or home 734-941-0957). On Saturday we will be taking pictures in the morning. There will be cheese & crackers, raw veggies and fruit available for the bridal party to snack on before the ceremony (and then you can eat at the reception mid-afternoon). If you need something more substantial than that to eat between pictures and ceremony, please pack a lunch or let Emily know so something can be provided. Thanks! We're looking forward to seeing you soon :).

Weekend-er

I just got back home from a conference at Capitol Hill Baptist Church where I applied to do an internship in the fall or possibly the spring. It was a great conference on how to cultivate and maintain a healthy church for God's glory. The conference is put on by Nine Marks ministry and is called a "Weekender."

Being there gave me more of a love and appreciation for my home church. I know you guys were all committed to churches at school, but I was just wondering how things are going now that some of us are home and some are newly married. Have you guys found new churches or gone back to old ones? Are you enjoying church or is it a struggle? I hope you are able to find good churches to be fed and in which to minister the Gospel.

On Zechariah, I'm sorry I haven't posted anything yet. I will try to do that in the next day or two. I start work training on Thursday night and find out a few other big important things this week. If you want to know about it, give me a call ;-)

And, Colby, if you read this, I hope you are doing well in preparation for the wedding and marriage (as our dear friend Jared reminds us).

Zechariah Plan

The first good chunk of Zechariah to translate will be the first six verses. (1:1-6). I'm sure we'll get better at this as we go along, but I suggest commenting in threads designated for the passage and e-mailing attachments if necessary. I don't know how to attach word documents onto the blog. If anyone has any suggestions let me know.

I'll try to put up a post in the next day or two, since I've already translated and made some notes on the passage. Just respond in that thread, I think that will work well. Perhaps a different person can lead different portions of translation.

Also, what version of "Will One Thing" do we need to get? I'm guessing there are more than one; just let us know the one you have, Jeremy.

Good and Evil Debate

A fictional article on the debate of Good vs. Evil and God vs. Science

http://anhonestdebate.com/2007/12/05/concerning-evil-an-interesting-argument

Reading accountability

Brothers,
I have two desires which war strongly in my soul. One, the desire for continued study and learning. The other, the inherent and often winner in this struggle, my own laziness. Perhaps others of you have felt similar things. I will use the feel-felt-found sales technique to drive this home. You might say, "Jared, I understand how you feel. Many other graduates have felt this way...but what they've found is that if we hold each other accountable, we can read difficult works incrementally and discuss them."

In lights of these weighty ruminations, I propose that we read a book together and discuss it on this blessed blog. Please respond oh so promptly with book reccommendations if you embrace this idea wholly ere we can start so rewarding and useful a journey. We can do no other, God help Colby.

i'm back

So, I finally got internet hooked up in my house - after four months. Anyway, I'll shall be writing again and more frequently. As it is, if you desire to see the proofs from our wedding, the website is as follows: http://www.previewgallery.com/essencephotography/hannah_and_jeremy/ .

Neglecting the important things

Recently I have been noticing how I have allowed my tasks and other commitments at school, church, and friends to take time away from my personal study of the Word of God and in prayer. Most of you are out of college and do not have the same type of schedule as I but all of us I am sure are busy. It is amazing how even when your studying to become a pastor, missionary, godly man, or whatever we allow the less important things get in the way and have more priority than most important things(God). I am studying God's Word for school, but there is that danger that what I am studying is done the mindset to get a paper done and an application put on paper but never put on the heart. God MUST be the focus, and job, school, friends, wife/girlfriend, and the such should ways in which we show God working. I pray that God is the focus of lives and not only have the study of God. God Bless all.

The Centrality of the Atonement from the Fall

So many Christians and churches today are being carried away with various opinions about what the purpose of the Church and the message of the Gospel is. I would offer that the Gospel is clearly seen from Scripture and beings from the Fall itself. The problem that the Gospel addresses (the bad news) is not social discord, injustice, the state of the environment, or war. These are all symptoms of the problem, but not the problem itself.

The problem (bad news) to which the Gospel speaks, is the problem of sin; that man is spiritually dead and can do no good toward God. Since the fall, man has been separated from his Creator and is at enmity with the very One he was created to commune with. The Gospel speaks of atonement in Christ alone for the sin that has created this gulf.

This very message was clearly demonstrated in the first act of God after the Fall. He slays animals to cover the nakedness (shame of sinfulness) of the man and the woman. The leaves were not enough, not sufficient, because there was no shedding of blood involved. And it was not that the animal's blood itself atoned for the sinfulness of Adam and Eve, but it represented the Seed of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent by His bruised heel.

Even the second generation of humanity demonstrates the centrality of a bloody substitutionary atonement for sin. Abel's sacrifice was accepted because it followed the model God has established and pointed toward the future Redeemer. The offering of the fruit of the ground was not sufficient. And now, in Christ, we have a better word spoken to us than the blood of Abel because the atonement for sin is complete and finished in Christ.

With great confusion and lack of clarity for the central message and essence of the Gospel, one can examine the first four chapters of the Bible. Here we find the necessity for blood, for sacrifice, for substitution, and the great promise of the Redeemer who has sealed our redemption by His shed blood in our place.

T4G

Wow I haven't written in a while, but I just wanted to express how I've been encouraged by the conference so far. We've only had two sessions (and two panel discussions) and it has been a time of refreshing for the soul and Word-saturated preaching that exults Christ. Among other things, the encouragement to reading of good books has been a delight. I hope you have all been reading good things and regularly. Isn't that a challenge in the busy-ness of life? It's important for us to be developing good reading habits for the good of our own soul and preparation for our ministry.

We have also been encouraged to love our family in Christ and to love the church. Kyle's dad expressed to me before how remarkable it is that God has blessed the church and loves her in the midst of her blemishes. Thabiti Anyabwile said tonight during his sermon on race that we should emulate Christ's love for people who were so unlike Himself. It hasn't taken many weeks back at my home church to be reminded of the frustrations of ministry and the blessings of participating in God's work in the world through His church.

These are two encouraging things I have reflected on this evening. I hope you are all doing well. I hope the honeymoon went well for you, Jeremy. I hope the prep goes well for you, Colby. I love you all. Cheers.

Jeremy's Wedding

The Lord had some other plans this weekend than what I expected (car breaking down on the way down to PA!). Congratulations Jeremy & Hannah! It is amazing the way that God brought you together. I pray that Matthew 19:6 would be true of your marriage, "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."I love you both and you both share a special place in my heart and I pray that you allow God to direct your paths into the lives He wants you to live.

Looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend,

Rick

Jared's Wedding

I am excited for this weekend and being able to "see" you all! I would also like to extend a congratulations to Jared & Janelle on your upcoming "Big Day" and committing to a life-long commitment to each other. Remember that our greatest example for the marriage relationship is between Christ and His Bride (the Church). And a special exhortation specifically for Jared, Ephesians 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it".

Love you guys and I am excited to see you all soon!

Rick (Heeeeeee!)

Eye Surgery

Hi guys,

If you could remember to pray for me on March 6th in the morning, I am having eye surgery. The doctors have found detached retinas in both of my eyes and they need to surgically re-attach them. The procedure is 2.5 hours long and recovery/healing time will be 2 weeks.

Feel free to call me anytime in the next 2 weeks on my cell phone because I will be home recovering and healing. My cell as most of you know is 315-576-5124.

Thanks for your prayers and I love each and every one of you brothers!

In Christ,

Rick

Translating Hebrew into Hebrew

This is an article that my mother found on Banner of Truth Trust about the translation of Biblical Hebrew into Modern Hebrew. That would be a cool job.

http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/articles/article_detail.php?1371

Why Ron Paul Is Appealing

First - he's not like other politicians. While he may sacrifice eloquence during debates (he's good at speeches), he speaks plain and speaks intelligently.

Second - he upholds the constitution. Other candidates speak capriciously about the grounds of their campaign and the root of their concern. Ron Paul, however, desires to return to the Constitution as the grounds for American government and the hope for our future.

Third - from the first two flow a strong message and good positions such as: ridding the country of the IRS and most taxes. He wants a non-interventionist foreign policy (not isolationism). The credibility of the American dollar is one of his primary economic concerns (which no one else mentions).

While it's too late for Ron Paul's message to win the election this year, I hope other campaigns and the American people recapture that vision. I believe the primary reason that Paul's message didn't get out and wasn't recaptured by the people this year was suppression by the mainstream media and Republican party.

Calling Colby Out

Hey Colbs, why don't you see if you can't post your Hebrew project that you worked on last semester? You ought to be able to attach it or post a link or something. Maybe we can look at it through Acrobat Reader... See what you can do ole pal.

k-suite enlightment me

id like to ask questions and i am being serious if you can belive that anywho my first question is???? Amill-gents believe that the kingdom is within us right.... now does that mean that there will be no heaven? and if that is the case then how can heaven be in me.... The whole concept is a little fuzzy....I may not be explaining it correctly so please inlighten me..... I would like some info on it pros-cons that sorta stuff....

Ps... i have lots of questions that need anwsering like "Will we meet the holy spirit"???.......if you need me to elaborate i will....

Beholding is Becoming... again

I know this is a favorite idea amongst us, but I wanted to refresh us on a new passage of Scripture and how I've been challenged by it lately. I think we are family with Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:18: "We all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." What a beautiful sanctifying process this sets forth that focuses us on our precious Christ!

But listen to how the Apostle John addresses this same principle in relation to glorification! 1 John 3:2b: "But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, BECAUSE we shall see him as he is." While our present transformation into holiness generates from a gaze on Jesus, even our final glorification will come by the same means only in a purer and greater degree. Familiar passages like Hebrews 12:2 carry more weight when we understand how serious the author was about us "LOOKING to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." Yes, we are to be looking at Jesus as we progress and grow in our faith.

Moving to the lower realm of practicality ;-) I have noticed that truly what we focus on and "see" is what we are inclined toward. Was it not sight that moved Eve to pluck the fruit? Was it not sight that literally transformed Lot's wife? Was it not sight that seduced David to lie with Bathsheba? Recent days and thoughts have challenged me to set my mind on Christ by faith - which I take to be our means of seeing Him. More specifically - we read of Christ in Scripture, and as we respond to what we read by faith we see our Lord. This seems to be the difference between unbelievers and believers from 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; this seeing of Christ in the Word by faith.

And one more word about this beholding: We should press our minds and explorations of Scripture to discover the various ways that the Gospel addresses the particularities of life. We can't let Gospel-centered language become cliche. I think it was Dave Shu that warned us about this and it is good for us to remember. The depths of the riches of the Gospel need to be mined and not merely marked. In other words, to say that the answer to everything is the Gospel can be easily turned into cliche (which it probably is in a lot of places and I'm sure for ourselves). But as we prepare to preach and minister it is the particularities of the Gospel that will minister. Particularities such as the Law and it's relation to sin and righteousness, or the resurrection and its relation to validity and hope and faith, or the suffering in Gathsemane and its relation to Christ's identifying with his brothers and so on. Oh the beauties we have here to study and enjoy and preach!

How are you guys doing? I am starting seminary classes this Friday and living with my Aunt for probably the next two months. How are the wedding preparations going? I'm really excited for all you guys.

Oh, and I have 1425 pages of reading for my first class!

An article worth reading

Gents...
came across this article and I find it an excellent evaluation of our fundamentalist culture and its moralistic bent. Refreshingly, this author prescribes christocentrism as the answer. I recommend both parts of the article and this blog in general.

http://www.sharperiron.org/2008/01/11/a-moratorium-on-moralism-part-2/#more-2324

A Personal Theology

I have recently begun writing "A Personal Theology" to help clarify my thoughts and inquiries and to solidify and articulate the theology to which I hold. So far I have outlined it and given my preliminary thoughts. I have posted those thoughts for your feedback, suggestions, complaints (snide remarks *for jared*).

Preliminary thoughts:
It seems best to me at this point in my education and preparation to begin to articulate my personal inquiries and conclusions concerning most areas of theology. The organization of these topics forms a structural framework. It attempts to follow Biblical, ecclesiological and logical order to maintain a solid body of information and rhetoric. I design to account for my theological beliefs, positions and understandings in the main areas of theology, while several appendices will no doubt address the sundry issues of the times current and times past.

I suspect that on not a few occasions I will give the information and persuasions at which I have arrived at this point. I will doubtless change a minor position or two after discussions, reading, praying, thinking or studying. However, I am fairly convinced of the main points concerning Scripture, the Godhead, the Gospel and the Church.

Finally, a defense [or request] for personal theologies: my intuitions of our times (or my study of any times) reveals the importance of the saints within the church understanding what precisely they believe and an articulate answer to - “why?”. Even more importantly, the leaders in the church (and I mean the Pastors/Elders and Deacons) ought to do this singular task themselves. It is my contention that deferring or consenting to another’s organization and articulation of theology, while not necessarily wrong, is of secondary value.

To clarify, let me say that the theologies that the historical church has provided for the present church is a great blessing and treasure that we must esteem and utilize. However, the value of articulating agreements or amendments to these writers is of primary value.

To qualify, let me say that this is no capricious endeavor. Inasmuch as the theological authors of the past and present take (quite necessarily) great care and attention to what they write, so we also must carefully search the Scripture and read the Church’s writing before and as we participate. May the diligence of the Bereans and the faithfulness of Daniel be graced by God upon us as we write, discuss and pursue the glories of the Godhead.

My First Blog

The dorm is empty without all of you here. The rooms are spacious, and we are having meeting tonight to establish how the game room is going to be set up. Those of us left are miss all of you already.
One of my close friends from high school, Kelly, was telling me about what was going on in her life. She is a godly girl that really has a heart to serve and honor God. She is a strong Penecostal. Her church is not one of the extreme Penecostal services with everyone running around, but a passtionate service that involves the normal things for that movement(prophecy primarily) She said that she was going out with a Catholic guy that she knew from college. When she tol.d me I initially had alot of quesitons about if that was right in relation to scripture. I did not tell her there what I was thinking because alot of people had been "giving advice" as she put it, about what they thought of her dating a Catholic. I thought of 1 Corinthians 6:14. That states to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. I only asked her one quesiton when she told me she was dating someone, "Is he a Christian?" She said she had a discussion with him, and she believes she is definitely saved. Even if he is saved there will be many problems that will be in the relationship, especially when looking at the future(marriage into Catholic church, teaching children, relaitonship with God vs. a priest) Putting all of the difficulties aside my question is this:

What does the Bible say about the marriage of two believers that are of very different denominations?
What would you say to my friend that would not be what others have not already told her?

I look forward to hearing your responses. God Bless.

Colby wedding info

Emily and I have gotten all the suits, shirts, and ties. The total price is $120.00. Of course you get a stunning suit, a shimmering shirt, and a terrific tie. Checks can be made out to:

Emily Pyne

and sent to

Emily Pyne
Box 2435 WCU
West Chester, PA 19383

My new address is:

56 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(stop by, we have room)

I am moved in with my parents and Benjamin now. I share a room with Benjamin so that we have a room left open for Alyssa or Emily when they come. The house is a row house with a garage beside it. It is in good condition with plenty of space. Of course it has one bathroom and creaky floors like a old house would. I have my own desk in my dad's office, which is nice. I have my books ready to read. I will have fun with Benjamin fixing things (he is fixing an airsoft gun now). I got a airsoft shot gun in Michigan. It has a 300 round clip and adjustable stock. I fitted it with a red dot scope. I am looking for an electrical job right now and my dad is looking for work also. Pray for Emy because she does not like living alone. Well folks, ttyl.

Remembering Shechem

In a mere eight days, I will be the proud owner of the Kimber Pro DCP II "the best choice for serious carry and defense." Eventually I will be getting my concealed carry permit, but for the time being I will enjoy this entrance into manhood.

All I have to say is praise God that our Christian Founding Fathers understood that God gave man the inalienable right to keep and bear arms in order to preserve a more perfect union (meaning America, although I can't imagine a more perfect America). I don't know of any other nation on this Creation that has so followed God's will and been subsequently blessed. GOD BLESS AMERICA!