Baptists, Thomas Jefferson, and Freedom

Read it here.

 

No Theism, No America?

Would there be an America if there were no Christian Theists among the founding fathers?
Probably not.  After all, the Declaration of Independence opens in this manner:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Without a Creator who is eternal in nature and absolute in goodness there would be no absolutes.  Men would derive their “rights” from the assent of others.  Those rights would not be inalienable, because they would not be inherent.

Let us thank God that our forefathers were, for the most part, committed Christian Theists.  Without them we would have had a very different nation.

This is why that, today, we do have a vastly different nation.  The USA is off the course set for her by her founders.

Happy Independence Day

Just musing…

 

Andrew Fuller Upon The Death of His Daughter

“30. – But at other times I am distressed beyond due bounds. On the 25th, in particular, my distress seemed beyond all measure. I lay before the Lord, weeping like David, and refusing to be comforted. This brought on, I have reason to think, a bilious cholic; a painful affliction it was, and the more so as it prevented my ever seeing my child alive again! Yes, she is gone! On Tuesday morning, May 30, as I lay ill in bed in another room, I heard a whispering. I inquired, and all were silent . . . all were silent! . . . but all is well. I feel reconciled to God! I called my family round my bed. I sat up, and prayed as well as I could; I bowed my head and worshiped, and blessed a taking as well as a giving God.

From The Memoirs of Andrew Fuller

 

Of Cancer, God’s Glory, and Our Joy

How do you respond if a loved one learns that they have what is possibly terminal cancer?  That is what I’ve been considering today.

The truth is, one does not form a theology of pain, suffering, grief, and loss in ten minutes.  Normally it is not formed within twenty-four hours.

It is because I have studied the issue of the sovereign goodness and glory of God for a number of years that I have determined the following:

God works in men’s lives for the purpose of being glorified. “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.” (Ps 30:11,12) KJV God works in the lives of men to give them joy that He might receive the praise and honor for His goodness toward men. The very reason that the Psalmist’s grief was replaced with great joy and gladness was so that he would sing praise to the Lord. Let us not forget that, while we live in a world that is cold, dark, and filled with trouble and grief, God is at work to glorify Himself by giving great joy to all who trust Him. That is why the child of God can say with assurance “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28 ) KJV It is often difficult to trust in God and His wise plan for our lives. It is a matter of fact that human nature revolts against pain and suffering and often wonders how a good God can permit (and even send) these things. In the end, however, God is able (and will) use all of these things not just for His glory, but for the eternal joy of His people. That is His promise and His passion. He will not fail to do so. Paul spoke with confidence saying “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38,39) KJV We, too, can rejoice knowing that neither cancer, nor heart disease, nor death of a spouse, nor death of a child, nor any other catastrophic even shall be able to prevent our loving God from glorifying Himself by giving us His joy forever.  With this confidence we can obey the command “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  (1 Thess 5:18 ) KJV

I do not know what the future may hold for me and my family.  I do know that God is gloriously good, and that He is committed to glorifying Himself by causing us to rejoice in Him.

I must simply learn to appreciate God and find that joy that He has for me in all circumstances.

Just musing…

 

The Accuracy of The New Testament Account of Jesus

Dr. William F. Albright writes: “The excessive skepticism shown toward the Bible [by certain schools of thought] has been progressively discredited. Discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of numerous details.”

Read it here.

 

God’s Faithfulness

Of all the attributes of God I seem to be extremely attracted to His faithfulness.  I cannot but rejoice to consider the ends to which He goes to assure us that He will keep His Word.

He even went to the cross of Calvary and died that His promises would be fulfilled in the lives of those He redeemed.

Rom 15:8-13
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:  And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.   And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.   And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.   And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.   Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
KJV

2 Cor 1:20
All the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
KJV

Let us embrace this faithful God who is so committed to being good to us that He dies to bring His promises to pass!

 

A New Direction For Pastoral Musings

Dear Reader (All Four of You ),

As of late I have taken much time posting news bits. This blog will now go a different direction: the one for which it was originally intended.

I shall attempt to post three times per week, though there may be other relevant things that arise on which I shall speak.

Mondays will be for “My Bible And I” which is an attempt to encourage us to honor the authority of Scripture.

Wednesdays will be for something relating to the defense of the faith; whether it be about creation, logic, philosophy and the existence of God, or perhaps a relevant piece of news.

Friday/Saturday will be devotional in nature.

Scattered throughout the week as time permits, and my mind is stirred, there will be other varied issues dealt with.

It is the aim of this blog to contain the musings of the pastor in hopes that they shall edify someone.

 

Interesting Post On Men And Church

Interesting post on why men don’t like church and what to do to change it.

 

Bystanders See Hit And Run But Do Not Seem to Care

A video shows bystanders observing a hit and run, but making no move to help or call police.

As I said earlier.…loosed from a Biblical foundation, morality has no foundation…neither does benevolence.

It’s a dog eat dog world….or is it Darwinist eat Darwinist?

 

Send An Email to Your Loved Ones After The Rapture?

Check it out here.

Yep, about six days after the rapture (whenever that is- no irreverence intended) up to 62 of your loved ones can get an email from you.

Spiritual or Crazy?

You decide.