Monday, October 30, 2006, 02:01 PM - Life
Tomorrow is one of those days of the year which Christians share missed feelings - and understandably so. No matter what the history is behind it, Halloween is a day when the majority of the collective people of the United States (and possibly other nations of the world, but I am not sure) celebrate who knows what by dressing up as both "good" and evil characters for the sake of getting candy. If it isn't intrinsically, it sure looks both humanistic and hedonistic to me.
But, for those of you who care, another event also occurred on this day. Almost 500 years ago, Martin Luther (not King Jr. - the real one) posted his 95 theses on the church door in Wittenberg Germany. This is marked as the start of the Reformation. The church door was the community bulletin board of the day. Luther, in an attempt to clarify the issue of indulgences, wrote 95 theses or arguments as to why this practice was unbiblical. Although Luther, and other fathers of the Reformation, had flaws in their lives and practice, their attempt to return to the authority of scripture has influenced Christianity tremendously to the present day.
This is not a celebration of these men or their works. It is merely a reminder to recognize the work of God in the lives of men throughout history for the praise of His glorious grace.
Last year I designed a Reformation Day page as a source of information about the Reformation. So if you want to know more about the Reformation, check it out.
this is "grace at work"
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( 3.1 / 1262 )Thursday, October 26, 2006, 01:15 PM - Life, Growing
When I originally started this website and blog I had hopes of using it as a tool of encouragement to friends and family. I frequently come across people whom I have not seen for a while who ask me how I am doing. It was my desire to use this blog to keep them posted as to what God is doing in my life and to build up and edify. (Hence the title of this page - "grace at work.") I have had wonderful opportunities, by God's grace, to be an encouragement to people who I would have never suspected. I have received e-mails from people regarding my trip to Albania, from people who have been encouraged by what God has been doing in my life, and by close friends and family who have found this to be a source of edifying interaction throughout the week. Additionally, it has given me an opportunity exercise my writing skills which may end up being a hopeless endeavor. :)
Unfortunately, many blogs out on the web have very little to offer that truly edifies and encourages. Many are filled with junk, opinions (which are like armpits - everyone has them, and they all stink!!!), and pointless information. Some people try to use blogs as their own little soapbox where they attempt to solve the problems of the world. (or create new ones, depending on how you look at it.) These blogs and the many others filled with junk are the blogs that create concern regarding the blogging world. Unfortunately, this is the case with most every medium. If it is not one thing it is the other.
As far as my blog is concerned, I never intended for it to be my own soapbox. I truly want to build up and encourage rather than create controversy and pointless discussion. However, I realize that I have done just that. Although some good has come through my last post and certain other previous posts, I realize that I have been somewhat controversial and opinionated rather than edifying. I am writing this post to restate to myself and to my very small and insignificant audience the purpose for this blog. It is my goal to edify and to encourage. By God's grace, I will attempt to do so from here on out. I have realized that I can unintentionally cloud the glory of God rather than cause it to shine out. Thank you for your consideration and understanding. And as always this is "grace at work." Fortunately it is still at work teaching me how to live "self-controlled, upright, and godly... in this present age." (Titus 2:12)
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( 3 / 1301 )Friday, October 6, 2006, 12:43 PM - Life, The Gospel
For some reason I have either seen signs, t-shirts, etc. or heard this topic addressed multiple times over the last few weeks. So, I thought that I would share a few thought that I have on the subject.
Some seem to advovate that there is specific appropriate attire when attending church. The thought behind it is that the worshipper must be reverent. Therefore the conclusion is that the most appropriate dress is what we would by tradition call Sunday dress (suits, ties, nice dresses, etc.) because they define that as reverent attire.
On the other hand, others have reacted to the whole "Sunday dress" idea and advocate that the worshippers just "come as you are." I have seen a billboard with a picture of jeans and the caption over it say "church clothes." I have not investigated this advertisement too much, but I think their point is pretty clear. There is a deliberate identity that churches are working to establish with casual dress as a headline.
As I have been thinking through this, the thought keeps coming to mind that the only appropriate clothes for the church of Christ is the righteousness of Christ. We, as the true church, are only acceptable before God if we are clothed in Christ's righteusness. This is appropriate worship attire.
Sure there are other factors that must be considered when coming together as a diverse body. There are preferences and biblical mandates that help determine how to love each other (not an offence or stumbling block). But, to be acceptable before God all we need is to be in Christ. If we place a higher expectation on people than God does, we should check to see who are master is. Paul tells us that to ones own master a servant answers. God is each believer's master alone. We should not take the place of God.
So what is appropriate? We should check to see if we are clothed in Christ. Then we must let our love for God and others determine what is appropriate in the assembly.
this is "grace at work"
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( 3 / 1457 )Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 05:34 PM - Life, School
I have been so busy these last few weeks. Since school has started life has been non-stop. (I guess life is non-stop anyway.) To sum up, I will just say that I have been in school for more than three weeks. I have my first load of tests this week. I have to either read or finish reading a total of three books in the next week and a half, and write a report. Greek is challenging, but it seems to be coming back to me. On top of all my schooling, I am working as well. Life is fun!!
I must to share a huge blessing that I received within the last couple of weeks. My initial plan when registering this year was to take classes this semester, next semester, and then finish by August. However, I was encouraged by a friend to try to get everything done these next two semesters, so I do not have to attend summer school. In order to accomplish this, I needed to take at least 20 credits this semester. I am not the most disciplined student, so this idea was suicidal. But, I decided to do it anyway.
After registering I began to try to do everything that I needed to do to finish my transcript processes. I embarked on a long but wonderful several week journey that had unexpected benefits. I transferred all my class credits from Greenville Tech, but when viewing my credits from Northland I decided to take a music theory placement test that would allow me to transfer credits that initially were not granted. When talking to the music office and the records office they determined, because I am not a music major, that they would transfer my classes with out needing to take a placement test. In other words, I was granted 9 credits from Northland that were not originally granted. This allowed me not only to plan on graduating in May, but it let me drop two classes this semester that I was taking just as electives.
I was so excited! God has blessed me with this for whatever reason, and I praise Him for His grace. Lord willing, I will finish this semester with 16 credits, next semester with 16 credits, and graduate in May. After eleven years, I will finally be finished. I am a blessed man!!!
I hope to write more often now that I am settled in with school. We will see :)
This is "grace at work"
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( 3 / 1515 )Friday, September 8, 2006, 01:18 PM - Life, School
It is Friday and I am still alive. It actually was not that bad of a week. I did well on all my quizes, however I failed a Greek test. By God's grace I will be able to maintain a acceptable grade in the class. It is somewhat difficult returning to Greek after sitting out for over two years. I have been able to accomplish all my homework with a few exceptions and have been able to get sleep in the process.
I am in the computer lab at ole' BJU, but now I am off to work. I need to make money to survive in this world. All for now!!!
This is "grace at work"
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( 2.9 / 1323 )Saturday, August 26, 2006, 02:55 PM - Life, School
The day is near. Tomorrow I will be chcking into BJU for my final year. I know that God has much planned and will use this year tremendously in my life.
I have had a good week. Last sunday my pastor preached a message from the first chapter of 1 Peter. It mainly focused on the Gospel of Christ, but I was suprised at the repeated reminders to rejoice. I was reminded that joy comes only from our life in Christ. Peter says us that we were purchased with Christ blood which is imperishable and not with perishable items such as silver or gold. We, who were once sojourners on this earth, now are residents in heaven. We are now beneficiaries of an imperishable purchase.
This just reminded me to rejoice in my life in Christ. My joy should not be set on the things of this world. Those things will fade away. Only Christ is my joy.
this is "grace at work"
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( 3 / 1348 )Thursday, August 17, 2006, 11:54 PM - The Gospel
I am continuing the subject of my last post on purpose. This subject has come up in conversations on several different occasions with different people over the last couple of weeks, so I wanted to share more of what I mean when I refer to the Gospel in relationship to school.
I have attended four different schools now in my undergrad journey. However, last year, as I attended Greenville Tech I began to realize the similarities between schools. Greenville Tech is the first secular/public school I have attended with the exception of a semester of public school in the fourth grade.
In the midst of last year, I realized that all schools, both Christian and secular, have expectations. For example, Greenville Tech has cultural expectations, social expectations, moral expectations, and academic expectations. These expectations are the product of its people and culture. They may not be as high or as low as the expectations of every individual in that college, but it is a good representation. Consequently, Bob Jones University also has expectations (I pick BJU because it is the university that I will be attending this fall, and it is in the same city as Greenville Tech). It has cultural, social, moral, and academic expectations, also, that match its culture and people. But, like most Christian colleges, BJU has over the years created it own subculture producing it own unique people and expectations. Consequently, the expectation in this institution may seem odd and even burdensome to its students and surrounding community. Most of these rules/expectations are there simply to preserve order and enhance education. They are not meant to be Scripture.
The Gospel of Christ teaches that the law of God couldn't be met/fulfilled by men. Man's sin has caused the race of man to fall short of the standard of God's holiness. We did not meet God's perfect expectation. Therefore we deserved the full force of God's righteous wrath. But, by God's grace alone, Christ, the perfect Son of God stepped in and took God's infinite wrath upon Himself, so that we my be accepted by God. Consequently, as Christians, the basis with which we accept other people in this world is on the complete work of Christ. We cannot hold anyone to a standard other than God's holiness which was fulfilled by Christ's death and recieved through faith.
Having said this, when an institution or people who make up an institution put their own expectations on people without exercising the grace that has come through Christ, they can present a false understanding of the Gospel of Christ. However, institutions have authority to which students submit. And, being human, students also have expectation which infringe upon the authority of the institution. When the expectation of the student and the institution conflict, the student must set aside his expectations so that the grace of God may be clearly seen. Student who demand their rights and their expectations and do not defer do not exhibit the Gospel of Christ. Although it may seem that institutional rules are burdensome, students must defer demonstrating God's grace.
I know that this is a long post. If you are still reading, I thank you. But as I return to school, I must remind myself of the Gospel of Christ. It is my worship to God to deny myself, my wants, and my desires so that the grace of God may be seen through me. May I say now, I will not do this perfectly, so if any BJ student is reading this, don't expect perfect submission. But it is my desire to live with this understanding and to exalt the Gospel of Christ by the power of God.
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( 3 / 1270 )Monday, August 7, 2006, 07:11 PM - The Gospel
I am just a couple weeks from returning to school for my last and final year of undergrad, Lord willing. I have mixed feelings regarding my return to school for several reasons. First, and probably most significant, I will need to be much more disciplined. If you recall, last year I attended Greenville Tech. I grew accustomed to throwing on some shorts, a shirt, and a pair of flif-flops and running out the door off to school. This year I will be attending Bob Jones University once again and... well, let me just say that I can't come to school in that sort of outfit. Futhermore, if I was running late for class at Greenville Tech for one reason or another, they didn't have a problem if I was tardy or even absent. I was held responsible to make up my own work. Bob Jones does not look too kindly on absentees or those who play hooky. Needless to say, I must clean up my act. Secondly, I am going to be jumping back into third semester Greek (which I am told is the hardest), and I have not been in Greek class for over two years. It is a bit daunting. The reality is that I am human and sinful, and it will be God's grace and humble obedience that will enable me to continue in spite of my weaknesses.
On the other hand, I am excited about returning to school because it is my last and final year. After fours colleges and three different majors, I will at last be finished. I tell people that my education hasn't come through the classes as much as it has been the through the process. After twelve years of this leg of the journey, I will be prepared to enter the next.
Perhaps the greatest truth that God has used to prepare me for this last year has been His faithful illumination of the gospel of Christ. The gospel of Christ has become more real to me than ever before. I can return to school with kids almost ten years younger than me, submit myself to the seemingly burdensome rules and yet rejoice in all this for the sake of Christ. It is my pride that will keep me from boasting that I have opportunity to display the Gospel of Christ to those whom God will place in my life this year. Certainly my weaknesses are great, but I have all the more reason to boast in the cross of Christ.
If you scroll down a few posts to the one entitled "Mr. Clean goes camping," you will see a recent picture of me. In case it is not obvious, I shaved my head for the summer. Well, due to certain rules at BJ, I cannot be a student with a shaved head, so over the last month I began to grow my hair back. In Acts, Paul took a vow, shave his head, and entered into the temple for the sake of the Gospel. He was willing to put his comforts aside so that Christ might be lifted up. This is my chance to let my hair grow back out and enter into BJ for the sake of the Gospel. I am sure that Paul, by far, had a better understanding of the gospel than I do, but hope that even through this year, God will continue to illuminate my heart and mind to the truth of the Gospel.
Quick update: my laptop is still in the shop, we just got high-speed at home just in time for my desktop to die. So, I am using my lifelines - my family and the library.
This is "grace at work"
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( 3 / 1158 )Saturday, July 15, 2006, 01:18 AM - Life
The summer has come, and I am afraid that it is going just as fast. I didn't have too many expectations of the summer before it came, except that I would be working and preparing to go back to school in the fall. (For those who don't know, I work for an electrician, and we do mainly residential electrical work.) I must say that I have never experienced the South Carolina heat and humidity quite like I have this summer. Some days, like today, I have worked in air-conditioning and have remained fairly comfortable. Other days, I have been working in the heat, and my body becomes a ever-flowing fountain of sweat. (Somehow I think that attempting to write poetically about sweat is a lost cause.) It is indeed a watershed experience.
So the question is, from all those readers who may still be interested, where have I been? Good question! I must say that part of the reason that I have not written recently is because my laptop is still in the shop. I have not been able to scrape together the money to get it out, so there it remains. I hope, though, to get it out soon. Secondly, this has been a unique summer for me. I don't know that I can quite explain it. But, God is teaching me much about growing up and "the real world." Ok, so I am 28 and I ought to be out of school, married, and well on my way to fulfilling the American dream. Well, the reality is, for me, life comes slow. So here I am wrestling through areas of life that many younger than I have already wrestled through. Yet, it is not the American dream that I am pursuing. God is preparing me to be godly. (This is definitely not American or even earthly, but heavenly.) And, godliness, for a person whose natural tendency is to be self-righteous, self-indulging, and self-centered, will have its difficulties. However, God remains faithful to His task of sanctification in my life, and, consequently, I am persevering. I have focused my time and attention on this area of growth in my life, so that I may learn all that it is that God is teaching me. (Lest I sound extremely spiritual, God has revealed to me areas of indiscipline and disorganization as well, which would be another reason why I haven’t written lately?)
To catch up though, I am entering my fourth week of house sitting, but not all for the same people. When I am done, I will have house sat for three different people. It has been great because I have saved money on gas, however, it magnifies the disorganization in my life (which is slowly clearing.) My brother and I went hiking/backpacking with some guys from my church. That was a great time as well. Here are some photos from the trip. I will share more about my summer later, but for now I can truly say that this has been "grace at work."
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( 3 / 1244 )Thursday, June 29, 2006, 10:22 PM - Life
Well, I can't believe it! Another year has passed and I am definitely feeling older physically, yet spiritually and mentally, I feel as if I am a young child and getting younger. The more I think I see of reality, the more I realize I don't know or understand. But I find comfort in the words of Christ: "Except you become as a little child, you can enter the kingdom of heaven."
David reminds me that God formed me in my mother's womb. And before I was born, He ordained all my days. What comfort we have in the Sovereign Creator. I must not/can not fear; only trust.
I have had a wonderful birthday. It is no longer the cakes, party, and balloons that make a wonderful birthday, but, rather, the friends and the fellowship. I spent the day working and fellowshiping with those who God has placed near me. The value of trivial things pass with age, and the value of that which lasts becomes acknowledged. I praise God for His sanctifying grace.
This is "grace at work"
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( 3 / 1217 )Saturday, June 17, 2006, 11:37 PM - Life
On June 29, 1978, the man who I now know as my dad, went from being a newly married man of almost a year, to being a father. Unfortunately, for him, that experience started with me. His life would never be the same again. Fortunately, for me, my experince as a son started with him.
My father struggles with areas of his life where he feels that he has not fully succeeded. My dad never finished a BA degree in college. Additionally, he has been given a couple diseases that have hindered him from participating as much as he would like in the more physically demanding areas of our lives as his children. Yet, my dad has faithfully and fervently participated in the planting, watering, and reaping of the spiritual lives of his six children. To this day, my dad has successfully taught six children to love God. This is far greater than any diploma. To borrow from the Apostle Paul, we , his children, will be my dad's glory and joy in which he can boast in the presence of Christ. We six children are a product of my dad's love, faithfulness and pursuit of godliness empowered by the grace of God. Diplomas will rot and burn up. Lives last for eternity. My dad has chosen to invest in the latter.
So today, on this Father's Day, I praise God for my dad. I praise God that in His great wisdom, He gave me to the man who is my dad, for he has most effectively pointed me to Christ.
I love you, dad. Happy Father's Day
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( 2.9 / 1346 )Saturday, May 27, 2006, 03:44 PM - Life
Here are some photos that my brother posted on his site from our family campout. It was quite an eventful weekend. Hopefully my brother will share his encounter with the North Carolina police force.
Pre-Memorial Day Campout
Campout Gallery Two
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( 3 / 1115 )Saturday, May 27, 2006, 12:06 AM - Life
Here is my new look for the summer. I decided that I could cut back on my time in the morning by eliminating the hair part of the morning. I never really spent much time on my hair anyway. I also thought that it would make working in the heat more bearable. Both of my assumptions were right.
This picture was taken last weekend when I went camping with my family. We had a great time. In the picture I was warming up water for hot cocoa. It looks as if I was still waking up.
So, what do you think about the summer look?
;)
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( 3 / 1098 )Friday, May 26, 2006, 06:24 PM - Life
Ok, so it has been one month, and I have only written one post. If you read my previous post you will read one of the reasons. The other reason, is that my laptop crashed. I thought it was just my cooling fan, but after expert examination I was informed that my hard drive crashed. Aaahhhh!! O well!!! At the moment, it is still at the repair shop, because I lack the funds to get it out. So there it sits idle, somewhat like my blog.
But, like General Douglas MacArthur said, "I shall return."
this is "grace at work"
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( 3.1 / 1090 )Wednesday, May 17, 2006, 01:22 AM - Life
Have you ever had a time in your life where you are going non-stop, and you have very little time to spit (that is, for those of you reading who don't have a problem spitting :) )? Well, that is how I have felt the last couple of weeks. The week after I got back from T4G I had my finals for school. Those took up a good deal of time. The last week and a half I have been working as much as I can to catch up on some bills. That has, basically consumed the majority of my time. Last Saturday my laptop fritzed out on me, so my e-mail and internet access, at the moment, is very limited. My brother is letting me use his computer. (He is very kind.)
About six years ago, I was addicted to movies. I loved movies. I wanted to see all the new movies that came out, and then, I would buy them. It was dispicable. God brought me to the place where I determined not to watch any movies for a long time so that I could break my addiction. I didn't watch movies for over a year. Instead, I devoted more time to reading theology books and studying my Bible. At the end of the year, I tried watching a movie. It didn't have near the same affect on me that it had had previously. In fact, I didn't really enjoy it much at all.
A couple weeks ago, I began to realize how much time I actually spend e-mailing, blogging, and browsing. I was doing it all the time. I knew that I was becoming addicted. Unfortunately, it was taking my time and focus away from other things that were far more important - school, God, ministry. (Note: for those of you who I had regularly e-mailed or who regualry read this blog, please don't feel bad or guilty. This is something that God has shown me in my life. I needed to learn priorities and moderation. This is a big lesson that I am continuing to learn. God is giving me victory.) I needed to devote my time to other things more important. E-mail/blogging relationships are good and helpful when they are kept in proper perspective. I was not keeping my priorities in perspective.
God, in His grace, is helping me regain a proper view of my priorities. I my not post as often, but that is ok. I do value the relationships that I have with those of you frequent this blog and who regularly e-mail me. Thank you for your friendships and encouragement. Bear with me as I struggle through finding the proper balance.
I really don't think that this is the kind of post that gains readership, O well!!
Meanwhile, (back at the ranch) God has been doing some wonderful things in other areas of my life. I will attempt to share those as God gives me the time and the words.
May I, once again, thank God for His amazing grace!!!
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