Blessed Redeemer

And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull.  John 19:17 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;  Revelation 5:9 Blessed Redeemer Avis M. Christiansen 1920 Up Calv’ry’s mountain, one dreadful morn, Walked Christ my Savior, weary and worn; Facing for sinners death on the cross, That He might save them from endless loss. “Father forgive them!” thus did He pray, E’en while His lifeblood flowed fast away; Praying for sinners while in such woe— No one but Jesus ever loved so. Oh, how I love Him, Savior and Friend, How can my praises ever find end! Through years unnumbered on heaven’s shore, My tongue shall praise Him forevermore.

Blessed Redeemer! Precious Redeemer!
Seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree;
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading,
Blind and unheeding—dying for me!

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Soli Deo Gloria

ah

FROM THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 12, 2011

One of My Favorite Descriptions of the Christian Life by Justin Taylor

I am not what I ought to be.
Ah! how imperfect and deficient.
Not what I might be,
considering my privileges and opportunities.
Not what I wish to be.
God, who knows my heart, knows I wish to be like him.
I am not what I hope to be;
ere long to drop this clay tabernacle, to be like him and see him as He is.
Not what I once was,
a child of sin, and slave of the devil.
Thought not all these,

not what I ought to be,
not what I might be,
not what I wish or hope to be, and
not what once was,

I think I can truly say with the apostle,

“By the grace of God I am what I am.”

—Cited in Letters of John Newton, p. 400.

Get Beyond the Talk of Election by J.C. Ryle

To talk of anyone being Elect when they are living in sin, is nothing better than blasphemous folly. The Bible knows of no Election except through “sanctification;” no eternal choosing except that we should be “holy;” no predestination except to be “conformed to the image of God’s Son.” When these things are lacking, it is mere waste of time to talk of Election. (1 Pet. 1:2; Eph. 1:4; Rom. 8:29)

~ J.C. Ryle

Old Paths, “Election”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1999], 470.

Followers of JESUS or of ME? Thoughts on Disciplemaking by Alvin Reid

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”  Jesus

“Christ is not valued at all, unless He is valued above all.” Augustine

“Be followers of me as I follow Christ.” Paul

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus

Those of us who take seriously the Great Commission recognize how Christ’s charge compels us not to make converts on a superficial level but Christ-followers in all of life. 

Click the link above to continue reading.

What the Bible Says About Sex ... Really? by Albert Mohler

The Bible is brutally honest about human sinfulness in all its forms, including sexuality. Nevertheless, the Bible presents a consistent and clear sexual ethic. The issue is not a lack of clarity. 
Click the link about to continue reading.

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Soli Deo Gloria
ah

The Power of the Dog (In Memory of Mo)

Today has been a tuff day. Mo, our Chinese Pug of 12 years had to be put to sleep due to his deteriorating health.  He has been a wonderful part of our family and we will miss him dearly.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:  a time to be born, and a time to die;...a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Eccl 3:1-2,4 (ESV)

In Memory of Mo

Beloved Family Pet

January 11, 1999 - February 8, 2011

The Power of the Dog

by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passsion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

_____

Soli Deo Gloria

ah

FROM THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 5, 2011

Click on the title to read the full article:


Creation vs. Evolution - The New Shape of the Debate by Albert Mohler

This is the new shape of the debate over evolution. We now face the undeniable truth that the most basic and fundamental questions of biblical authority and gospel integrity are at stake. Are you ready for this debate?

Three Ways With Families by Tim Keller
 In Japan, in Western Europe, and in Russia, the birth-rate has fallen precipitously, to below replacement levels. If this does not change, the economic and cultural impact will be very great on those nations. Many have pointed out that interest in child-bearing is lowest in the most secular countries and sectors of society, while it is the highest in the most religious countries. Why is this? One explanation is that more educated people put off child-rearing until later in life and that means fewer children. However, educated religious people have more children than educated secular people, and therefore the socio-economic answer isn't the most basic answer. I don't think anyone can be completely sure that they have a handle on this complex phenomenon, but I think it creates an interesting backdrop for the consideration of the unique Christian view of the family.


Something We Can All Agree On Even If It Divides Us by Kevin DeYoung
Why can’t all the professing Christians in the world look past their differences and just get along?
Because some of those differences are irreconcilable. Most significantly and most foundationally, the three main branches of Christianity in this country–Roman Catholic, Liberal Protestant, and Evangelical Protestant–do not agree on the locus of authority. We don’t answer the question, “What is our final authority?” in the same way.



Where Have All The Presbyterians Gone? by Russell Moore
Are we witnessing the death of America's Christian denominations? Studies conducted by secular and Christian organizations indicate that we are. Fewer and fewer American Christians, especially Protestants, strongly identify with a particular religious communion—Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, etc. According to the Baylor Survey on Religion, nondenominational churches now represent the second largest group of Protestant churches in America, and they are also the fastest growing.


How To Pray For Egypt Today - An Insiders Report

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Soli Deo Gloria
ah

Take My Life And Let It Be

Written by Frances R. Havergal  on February 4, 1874.

"There were ten persons in the house; some were unconverted and long prayed for, some converted but not rejoicing Christians. [God] gave me the prayer, 'Lord, give me all in this house.' And He just did. Before I left the house, everyone had got a blessing. The last night of my visit I was too happy to sleep and passed most of the night in renewal of my consecration, and those little couplets formed themselves and chimed in my heart one after another till they finished with "ever only, ALL FOR THEE!"

Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 20:7

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

_____

Soli Deo Gloria

ah