Yeah, We Know...

I had no intent of making this post. I had no intent of any kind of public announcement on this at all. But, it seems that there are feet eager to run and tell news that is not theirs, and the mouths attached to these feet, in their haste to spill the beans, have neglected to make sure they have the facts.

Why make sure you've got the facts, when you have a perfectly plump and juicy bit of gossip, right?

Random Thoughts

The pop-Christian saying, "You don't know my heart" runs aground when you consider that "out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." It breaks upon the reef when you hear, "by their fruits you shall know them."

The best profiler is not the man who sees what is inside another's head, but the man who has an intimate knowledge of his own mind.

To be asked by a theonomist to provide "chapter and verse" to show that it is wrong to attack a person's character instead of their ideas, suggests they may have missed the essence of the very Law they cherish.

Friends don't let friends use logical fallacy. If your position is a lie, it will be uncovered; if your position is the truth, it will defend itself.

If the grass on the other side of the fence is greener, invest in some irrigation. Anything in life worth having requires work, and your rewards are directly proportionate to the effort you put in.
Want a good marriage? Work at it.
Want to be complimented on how well behaved your children are? Work on disciple-ing them.
Want a good job? Work for it.

The paradox of our time is that we are more connected, yet more cut off.

When you apply the economic law of supply and demand to society at large, you begin to see that any chance we have of salvaging what is left, must be done by reaching individuals at a street level, rather than approaching things top-down. A morally righteous populous will demand a morally righteous government; A morally corrupt people will never make the same demand.

On Social Media

Much has been written, spoken, and pondered, concerning the dangers surrounding social media. Much has been said about the merits of monitoring our children's use of facebook, snapchat, twitter, instagram, and the like. Much will continue to be said on that, even though it really is over-complicating a very simple matter.

If you cannot trust your child enough that they have their own account, don't allow them an account.

If you are worried about your child, talk to them. Chances are, they'll respect you more for telling them your concerns, than for spying on them.

If you are unable to control yourself on social media, cut it off and enter the Kingdom without it.

Simples.

But what about for reaching people? What about for preaching the Gospel?

Things Left Unsaid

Yesterday, I had a brief exchange with a man who refused to hear the Gospel message. He told me, as he walked away, he would never serve Jesus, after what Jesus had done to him. As a parting shot, I called out, "but did He do it to you?"

Eventually, he came back through the area where I was standing, and he, oddly enough, encouraged me to continue in what I was doing, saying that not many people would be willing to take the abuse people threw at them. I pointed out that Jesus went to the cross for me, so it isn't really that big a deal to have someone swear at me. Then he volunteered the real reason for his hesitance to hear the Gospel. He'd been hurt before. Hurt by someone acting in the Name of Christ. Once bitten, twice shy.

Searching for something to say, I asked if he was sure I couldn't convince him to take a tract and read it later; I tried to tell him that it was never too late to pick up the Bible he hadn't read since he was a child.

And now, I wish I had said something else. Something like:

"Would you like to grab a coffee and talk about it?"

And maybe from there, another conversation could be had, my side of which I can only hope he stumbles across on this insignificant little blog, as there is a chance I'll not see him again to say it face to face.

So, sir, if you're reading this, here is what I would say:

"You are a sinner. And you are in desperate need of Jesus.

"But so am I. And so is that other guy handing out tracts over there. And so are the people who hurt you enough to make you spurn the Saviour. In fact, even the Pope himself needs Jesus, but that's a topic for another time.

"I get it. I really do. You've been abused in some way, hurt, cheated, taken advantage of, by someone who you should have been able to trust. Someone who bore the banner of Christianity. Someone who, like you and I both, needs Jesus. And I get the connection. I get that there is a fear of it all happening all over again. If one Christian could hurt you so much, what is stopping another Christian from doing the same? And all I can say to that is, Grace.

"It is only the Grace of God which is the difference between the saved and the sinner. It is only by God's grace that some do not become so abusive as others. And even then, we sinners stumble. And God's Grace picks us up again. So I cannot guarantee you'll not be hurt again. I cannot promise that a saved sinner, will not sin again.

"But I can tell you that where we sinners fail and fall, Christ stands, perfect. Put your faith in sinners, and you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Put your faith in Jesus Christ, and He will never let you down.

"And now, would you like a refill?"

On the Fear of Men

A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent

~  John Calvin

Random Thoughts 15/11/2014

It is the height of arrogance to assume that if you cannot find an explanation for something, it must be superfluous.

Warrior/Worrier

Am I a warrior, or a worrier?

I've been called both, at different times;
which mantle fits, is really mine?
Do I stand, await the fight?
Or like is my instinct that of flight?

While I may look the warrior part,
so many worries pull at my heart;
pondering the troubles of this earthly realm,
leaves me feeling overwhelmed.

The poor are starved, the system broken,
neighbour hurts neighbour with harsh words, spoken.
We plumb the depths of total depravity,
ignoring the eternal gravity.
Sickness and death lay waste our brothers;
cancer threatens our sisters and mothers.
Our men are pathetic; our women, whores;
it drips in the Church, while outside it pours.
Our children are killed; we've turned homicidal,
as each of us chases career as our idol.
On one side, ISIS brings feelings of dread,
on the other, we've people who can't use their heads;
we've abandoned rational thought, for emotions;
existential emptiness gets endless promotion.
To speak the truth, is to throw away caution,
and where do I even start on abortion?

So I worry for the future of my family;
will society stop my sons from being manly?
Will they, like me, to serve be free?
will persecution see them flee?
Will my wife and I an old age reach?
will our faith cause us manmade laws to breach?
Will my children come to know the Lord,
to follow him even if threatened by sword?

These thoughts all surface, bubble and stew;
worries running through and through.
My mind apace; thoughts loud and shrill,
then God, my Father, says "be still!"
Jesus, my saviour, has beaten this pain;
although killed for it, He rose again.
To destroy suffering is His intent,
but first, He calls all to repent;
He waits, and seems, to us, to tarry,
but He's already won; what weight He carried.
Those hands, scarred through with iron nails,
hold me close as these thoughts, me assail.
One thing I know, and this, surely,
soon, I'll see His face in glory;
we'll live forever, with the true king,
who died to cure our suffering.