Sorry, I'm late!

Blame it on the flu...

This week's Bible readings:

Here are the daily Bible passages to be read as we continue to "Read Through the Bible in One Year":

Monday: Genesis 31-34; John 17

Tuesday: Genesis 35-36; John 18

Wednesday: Genesis 37-38; John 19

Thursday: Genesis 39-40; John 20

Friday: Genesis 41-42; John 21

Saturday: Genesis 43-45

Sunday: Genesis 46-48


(Again, if anyone else wants to join our reading club, you are more than welcome. If you have any comments on the weeks readings, leave it in the comment box related to this post.)


Take care, and good reading!

I'm si-ick

yeah...I know...again...

Yes, I'm sick again and I'm whining. I totally am one of those guys who act like their dying when then get a cold or the flu.

Comfort me!!!


(I actually have something I'm dying to blog about but I'm not feeling well enough to post something coherent)

Later,

Why they hate George W. Bush

it goes deeper than you might think...

The messy situation in Iraq, fiscal policies that favour the rich, unilateralism...etc. These are a few reasons some cite when asked why they hate George Bush and the Republican party. While they are some genuine concerns, the fact of the matter is, very few people ACTUALLY care about these things. These "reasons", for the most part, are "excuses".

-Excuses, you say?

-Yes, excuses.

Bush haters use excuses because giving the real reason for their loathing just doesn't SOUND RIGHT. Imagine someone saying:

-Oh! Bush! I hate him because he's an evangelical Christian.

Doesn't sound too good does it. Well folks, make no mistake, that's why they hate him. Now let me clarify my position before I continue. I'm not at all certain George Bush is a born-again Christian; a few of his positions and words in the past make me wonder if he's just a "religious" man. Be that as it may, it really doesn't matter, because in the end, he looks like an evangelical Christian, and that's enough for the hatred to show up.

And it doesn't start and end at George Bush. Look at the reactions to John Ashcroft's resignation; they showed scores of people cheering! Cheering!!!!

In my country, a few years back, we had an "evangelical Christian" heading the Conservative party. The man was blasted to bits. He was mocked and derided in the public place, on the television, radio, newspapers...you name it, he was crushed there.

Now am I saying that evangelical Christians are more harshly treated in politics? Uh...YES! Am I saying that it is wrong? Uh YES!!! Am I saying that this shouldn't be happening? Uh...NO!!!

-No???

-Yes...no!!! (LOL)


"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin." (Matthew 15:18-22)


For the world to hate Christians is as natural as dogs hating cats. Not just the common Christian out there, but the ones in positions of power/authority; actually, I would say that these are especially despised because of their influence. The fear being that through their godly influence, unbelievers would LOOK especially depraved and wicked and would find themselves having to hide their wickedness or having to outright give up their wickedness.

The Lord has been gracious to the Free World. Christians have enjoyed great freedoms, rights and prosperity in it, we have much to be thankful to God for. But listen, brothers and sisters, this isn't the norm. The world hated our master enough to brutally torture and murder him by crucifixion. Last time I checked, the world was still a depraved, wicked place; it will not have any love for the followers of a Man they murdered 2000 years ago.

"For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. " (1 John 3:11-13)

Errmm...

Hint...hint...nudge...nudge...

Wouldn't it be great if those who visit my blog could place a pin on my new GUESTMAP...you know the one at the bottom of my sidebar...

Oh!!! did I say that out-loud?

(Hee hee)

This week's Bible readings

Hope none of you have fallen behind...

Here are the daily Bible passages to be read as we continue to "Read Through the Bible in One Year":

Monday: Genesis 16-18; John 9-10

Tuesday: Genesis 19-20; John 11

Wednesday: Genesis 21-22; John 12

Thursday: Genesis 23-24; John 13

Friday: Genesis 25-26; John 14

Saturday: Genesis 27-28; John 15

Sunday: Genesis 29-30; John 16


(Again, if anyone else wants to join our reading club, you are more than welcome. If you have any comments on the weeks readings, leave it in the comment box related to this post.)

Take care, and good reading!

A few improvements

check out the sidebar...

I added to my blog a guestmap and a chat room!!! Please pin your approximate location on the map (I really like that silly thing...LOL). As for the chat room, I was thinking some of us could set an appointment from time to time and, well, chat! Feel free to use it whenever you want, and let me know if anyone is misbehaving in there.

With that, goodnight and have a blessed Lord's day,

Rand

Friday Night Notes

gone crazy over a football game...

Again, just got back from a 3-hour street preaching stint. Lots of groups of people roaming the streets tonight looking for a party; you see the Grey Cup tournament will be played this Sunday, so alot of people have come into town to party and watch football.

Now, if you're a "glass-half-empty" kind of person (which is where I'm leaning right now), then I'd say the crowds were so drunk and in full party mentality, that all my preaching brought out was ridicule and scorn. If you're a "glass-half-full" kind of person, then I'd say there were definitely alot of people who read and heard the gospel tonight, and we never know where the seeds will find good ground.

I had a great chat with the Open-Air Campaigners (another group that does street evangelism on Friday nights). One of the men said they prayed for me before going out, that the Lord would give me courage and strength to go out tonight; that was such an encouragement to me.

And that was about my night of preaching. Now I'm going to rest/sleep.


Take care and God bless you,

"Sons of God"

who were these guys...

How about a quick poll!!!

In Genesis 4: 1-4 we read:

"And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown."


So the poll question is:

Who were the "sons of God" in Genesis 6?


(I'll post my thoughts tomorrow, or the day after)

Later,

The Dark Side of Predestination?

here comes double trouble...

Inspiration for this post came from a very good post found on Christian Conservative, and the subsequent comments left by many regarding Michael's post on predestination.


Now to put some context: I hated the doctrine of election and predestination. I seriously loathed it. It was so important to me to be master of my own destiny, that I rejected the doctrines of grace and argued against all 5 points with passion. But after struggling and fighting with a Calvinist friend for months, I quite simply ran out of arguments/excuses. The Scriptures so clearly teach the reality of election and predestination, that I found myself not only arguing with my friend, I was arguing with God. I eventually ate my slice of humble pie, and accepted the fact that God chooses those He saves, and He predestines them to eternal life.

After coming to this realization, my soteriology was turned upside down. I started questioning everything I believed about salvation to make sure that my beliefs were Scriptural. It wasn't long after accepting the doctrines of grace that I came to hear about double predestination.

I have to say, the attitude surrounding double predestination was as negative as my initial attitude towards the doctrines of grace. I wasn't intimidated by this; rather I was determined to know the truth, regardless of whether it was popular or not.

Now, to avoid confusion, let us define double predestination:

"It is the eternal act of God, whereby the future of every particular person in the human race has been determined beforehand, by God. Whatever the individual wills or does, for good or for evil, is conceived as performing a functional part, or outworking of that ordained purpose. This prior determination applies to both, the elect and the reprobate."

In other words, as far as salvation is concerned, God predestines some to be justified, and others to condemnation. Using this definition, let me be clear:

I BELIEVE IN DOUBLE PREDESTINATION!

I believe it because it is...

1) biblical:

"Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory" (Romans 9:18-23)

"The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." (Proverbs 16:4)


Conclusion: God has prepared/made the wicked to show His righteous wrath, to make his power known, and to show forth His longsuffering. He prepares them for judgement and condemnation.


"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." (1 Peter 2:7-8)

"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. " (Jude 4)


Conclusion: The wicked works of unbelievers and false teachers are no surprise to God, they were appointed/ordained unto condemnation.


2) logical:

God isn't the author of confusion. Most teachings in Scripture are quite sensible and logical. So let's examine predestination logically for a moment. As far as I can see, in the Bible, there are only 2 places souls can go to after the Great White Judgement: Heaven or Hell. Those who are justified unto the Kingdom of God were "chosen before the foundation of world" (Ephesians 1). So what of those who are condemned to the Lake of Fire? By choosing one group for Heaven, does that not instantly place the other group into condemnation?

A few weeks ago, we had election in the US. George W. Bush was elected as president, John Kerry was not. Both are tied in together; one was elected, the other was not. Logical isn't it?

But for some strange reason, many Christians out there refuse to carry this logic to their salvation theology.


Conclusion: There are only 2 final destinations for souls; Heaven and Hell. Those who go to Heaven are those whom God has chosen and predestined in Christ (Romans 8 & 9, Ephesians 1). Those who are non-elect are therefore predestined to the Lake of Fire (there is no other place for them to go).


This subject has a great deal of ramifications, so I will probably post on the subject again soon. But no doubt, I have enough here to get you all thinking a bit. Feel free to comment, but please, be gracious and wise in your words; predestination is one of those doctrines that really get people excited (Hee hee).

Take care,

Labels: Calvinism, Doctrines of Grace, Election, Predestination

In the beginning

On your mark...get set...go!

Time to start our "read the Bible in a year" plan. So Beth, Joe and Twinklemoose:

Here's this weeks schedule:


Monday: Genesis 1-3; John 1-2

Tuesday: Genesis 4-5; John 3

Wednesday: Genesis 6-7; John 4

Thursday: Genesis 8-9; John 5

Friday: Genesis 10-11; John 6

Saturday: Genesis 12-13; John 7

Sunday: Genesis 14-15; John 8


Again, if anyone else wants to join our reading club, you are more than welcome. If you have any comments on the weeks readings, leave it in the comment box related to this post.

Have a good week in the Lord,

My Twinklemoose

pretty hard working woman...

Well, no preaching tonight I'm afraid. I drove the kids and my wife to my parents house (about an hour's drive) and then back again so I can clean the house and prepare meals for the upcoming week. I'm having to play both the role of daddy and mommy for awhile since my wife has developed a problem in the last stretch of her pregnancy (I don't want to go into medical details; it isn't too serious, but she has to stay off her feet for a couple of weeks).

This double duty is really demonstrating just how much I depend on my tender-half to keep the house in relative order and to keep the kids fed, cleaned and rested. I mean, it's not like I'm a slacker who dumps everything on his wife; I put a lot of time and energy at my job to secure a good and steady paycheck. But I'm getting quite an education in just how much time and energy my wife puts into our home.

I would like to publicly acknowledge my sweet wife for all her hard work and would like to ask you all for prayers; that the remaining 1 1/2 months of her pregancy would go well. I would also like to thank my pastor and his wife for kindly babysitting the kids during the work week, allowing my wife to rest. Oh! and my parents who have taken in my family tonight, so I can clean and cook tomorrow.

Well, that's it for now, I'm should get some rest so I can be in top shape tomorrow.

Beth, Joe and Twinklemoose, I'll be posting the week's Bible readings some time tomorrow or Sunday. The first reading will be on the Monday (if anyone is interested in reading the "Bible in a year" with us, you're welcome to join in).


God bless,

Hey! Long time no blog!

bad week...but things are looking up...

I apologize for not blogging in awhile. It wasn't intentional. Lot of things happened in a very short period of time, and there just wasn't any windows for me to get on the PC and type.

On the work front:

Things are INSANE! I have a mountain of work to do; and it is all PRIORITY 1!!! When I get 2 things done, another 4 are added to the pile. The bright side is that, with the Lord's help, I managed to fix a key instrument in the lab; hopefully, it will be an asset in the analysis of the numerous samples I have to run.

On the family front:

Problems with my wife's pregnancy. Nothing too serious, but a bit of a concern. The baby and Mommy are fine, but there may be complications for the birth. So we're working things out to keep Mommy off her feet (which requires some effort when there are already to toddlers in the nest).

On the house front:

We bought a house! We're moving out of our 2 bedroom house and into a 3 bedroom house. And the best thing: it's just 4 houses down from where we currently live! I'll have to put some work into the flooring of the new house, and a few other jobs. Hopefully, I'll manage to get some helpers and get the work done before the whole family moves in (we'll have both houses for 30-45 days)


There! We're all caught up!

Later,

Friday Night Notes

same old, same old...

Well, the street preaching was fairly uneventful again this week. I preached for about 2 hours and walked around downtown with a gospel sign. I spoke to a young atheist; the conversation was civil and kind, which is always good, but nothing noteworthy came of it. I also walked pass a man who was having a cigarette outside a restaurant; I was carrying, at that particular moment, our 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 sign (always a popular one amongst the wicked...hee hee). The man was speaking to a friend in French, with a strong Parisian accent, and when he read the sign, he whispered:

"Look at this dirty son of *****"

He probably assumed I couldn't hear him, or that I didn't speak French (the gospel sign was in English), but I heard him and understood him. So I replied:

"Ce n'est pas très gentil, Monsieur" (that's not very nice sir)

The man got a shocked look on his face, and then defended himself by calling me a bigot for my views on homosexuality. I replied that I was proclaiming the truth of the Bible, and that if he had a problem with it, he could take it up with God. He continued to complain, so rather than causing an unfruitful scene, I walked away.

Other than that little strife, the night went pretty much as usual. I preach, they mock and reject. Oh Lord, be merciful to my city/country!


Oh! by the way, I'm going to be starting a "Read the Bible in a Year" schedule next week. I've got a plan here that will have me read a section of the Old Testament, and a section of the New Testament every day. I was thinking it would be fun if some of you would join in, we could keep each other accountable to our daily readings, and maybe share some discoveries along the way...

So! who's with me? (man! I hope I don't have an empty comment box with this...LOL)


Take care and have a good week in the Lord,

Rand

Clanging Symbols

Here is a little poem I wrote quite awhile ago. It reminds me of the fact that the unsaved have complex lives and problems. And that there are pre-Christians all around us, who will someday make sense of it all, and get on the right path.


1 Cor. 13:1 Though I speak withthe tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

CLANGING SYMBOLS
"A penny for your thoughts," he said,
As she remained distant and unsmiling.
"My thoughts aren't worth that much," she said,
And found him greasy and reviling.
Retreating to another world, she dreamed and wondered whether
Hid within the pages of some old or mystic book,
There was hope or mention or promise of something better -
A love to last forever.
He spoke again and praised her pretty face and eyes,
And brought her crashing back from hope and wonder land,
To here and now and him.
He was very nice and trying very hard, and no more lost than she,
But he wanted her to be the answer,
And she knew she wasn't, nor was he.
It occurred to her they both were looking,
And the significance made her tremble and accept him,
Wishing she could help him.
"My thoughts are worth a bit," she said,
And smiled and felt free.
Rumours of unfailing love had not escaped her, she realized,
Though she'd been too occupied with her right and capable
And above all independent self
To notice or take heed.
Indeed, she'd been a symbol of independent living,
But it was a clanging and stupid symbol to her now.
Capability was less becoming than humility,
And though she'd proven herself right
To everyone who mattered,
This too was a clanging symbol,
And she wanted to seek relief and mercy
From someone who had never mattered.
Looking at him again,
She saw the symbol of incertitude and longing,
And heard the clanging in his misspent words of love.
Praying to God for the first time ever,
She said only, "Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Forgive me for my wrong."
The resounding gong and clanging stopped,
And there was wonderful silence for her.

Hey! Where did Hollywood go?

just wondering...

Has anyone noticed that prior to President Bush's election win, all major news outlet were showing Hollywood stars campaigning for John Kerry? People like Cameron Diaz, Julianna Margulies, Bruce Springsteen, all claiming they would help push "their man" over the top.

My question is: now that the election is over, where did these people go?

I mean, the news media was more than happy to cover every single word the "stars" had to say about the election before November 2nd. Why aren't they equally eager to get a reaction to the election from them?

Is the news media protecting Hollywood "stars" from embarrassment? Did they all move to Canada (remind me to check who moved into the house down my street...LOL)?

Seriously, where are they?

(it's not like I really miss them, I would just like to hear their excuses...for a good laugh!)


Rand

Phew...President Bush won!

I'm sooooo bad...

I tried not to get too into it. I tried to keep the eternal perspective and just spend the night with God. Okay...okay...I could have tried harder. The conclusion: failed miserably!

The Bible tells us God, ultimately, sets governments:

"And he changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings, and setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding." (Daniel 2:20-21)

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must need be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also, for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.” (Romans 13:1-6)

There is a lesson for us here Christians. Don't worry, don't fret over elections and their repercussions; God is in charge! As far as we're concerned, we are to honour the authorities God places over us (whether we perceive them as wicked or righteous), and walk through this life with uprightness and integrity.

Remember my brothers and sisters in the Lord:

"For our conversation (or citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20)

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19)

We are the citizens of Heaven. We are children of God first and foremost; American, Canadian, European...their all temporary designations. Nothing to get overly excited about.

All that being said, I just couldn't resist watching, hoping and praying for a victory for George W. Bush. There is no doubt that President Bush and the Republicans (sounds like an 80s pop band...LOL) are by far more Christian-friendly. I hope God uses this turn of events to bless the USA and Canada (whatever happens in the US has a strong impact on my country).


"Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity." (Psalm 118:25)

God bless,

Rand