Garie Beach, Royal National Park
Enjoyed with my brothers Tony and Jono
Psalm 19:1-6
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Reject the Caricature
"Most people have not rejected Christianity. They have rejected a caricature"
Arnold Toynbee, a historian
A simple plan for a clear take on Christianity:
1. Read the Gospel of John
2. Write down who you think Jesus is and why he came to Earth
3. Then, define a Christian
Arnold Toynbee, a historian
"Genuine paper currency always seems to have its counterfeit"
Jack Durkee, author
------------Jack Durkee, author
A simple plan for a clear take on Christianity:
1. Read the Gospel of John
2. Write down who you think Jesus is and why he came to Earth
3. Then, define a Christian
giving
I've been doing a bit of systematic theology and have just finished glazing over the doctrine of the Trinity
I learnt about subordination, which states that the Son is eternally subordinate to the Father NOT in being or essence or attributes, but in role or function.
John 14:28 "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”
So the Father plays a 'greater' role or function than the Son. How then does He express this 'greater' role? I'm sure it involves much more, but it could include Him giving:
The Father (through the Son) created all things- the universe, all people, creatures and authority- and GIVES them to the Son. I might go as far as to say the Father's purpose for creating all things was to commit it to the Son (Col.1). The Father, who is greater than the Son in ROLE (not essence) chooses to give ALL THINGS! What a generous Father!
Doesn't that truly reveal something of giving, and give such deeper meaning to the verse: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)
I learnt about subordination, which states that the Son is eternally subordinate to the Father NOT in being or essence or attributes, but in role or function.
John 14:28 "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”
So the Father plays a 'greater' role or function than the Son. How then does He express this 'greater' role? I'm sure it involves much more, but it could include Him giving:
John 3:35 "The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands."
The Father (through the Son) created all things- the universe, all people, creatures and authority- and GIVES them to the Son. I might go as far as to say the Father's purpose for creating all things was to commit it to the Son (Col.1). The Father, who is greater than the Son in ROLE (not essence) chooses to give ALL THINGS! What a generous Father!
Doesn't that truly reveal something of giving, and give such deeper meaning to the verse: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)
An empty self-confidence
Who was the only apostle who didn't consider the women's testimony of Jesus' empty tomb 'an idle tale' and the first to run to the tomb to be joyfully informed first-hand? It was Peter.
Peter, whose weakness and sin had just been eerily uncovered when the rooster crowed. By Jesus' prediction and subsequent fulfillment, His name was glorified and Peter's was made low.
Having now very little confidence in himself and much confidence in the Words of the Saviour, he runs expectantly to the tomb
Peter, whose weakness and sin had just been eerily uncovered when the rooster crowed. By Jesus' prediction and subsequent fulfillment, His name was glorified and Peter's was made low.
Having now very little confidence in himself and much confidence in the Words of the Saviour, he runs expectantly to the tomb
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Small typo
One of my friends is at the very beginning of a possible relationship and they're at a point of regular mobile messaging, and with every message comes a wave of excitement. They were sharing over mobiles each others favourite bible verse...ahhhh... romantic
He meant to type '1 Peter 1:7', but instead, by accident, typed '1 Peter 3:7', which reads:
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
Classic! Maybe not the best time to discuss marriage dynamics!
She was a little confused
He meant to type '1 Peter 1:7', but instead, by accident, typed '1 Peter 3:7', which reads:
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
Classic! Maybe not the best time to discuss marriage dynamics!
She was a little confused
ponder this...
I've heard it said-
Many people think the gospel was given to us to help us understand the world. Not so. Rather the world was given us to help us understand the gospel.
Certainly gets my cogs turning...
once a baby
I've sometimes thought: how could Satan so deceive himself to think- in the presence of the God of all Glory- that he could establish his own throne above that of the Creator's, it's crazy!
But how so many mere men/women deceive themselves! The fertilization of microscopic sex gametes, formed in somebody's tummy, and born as babies who cry and can't speak. Beautiful, cute but totally helpless. These men (and women) grow, and from their perspective, they grow and grow and grow... far away from ever entertaining the thought they were once helpless babies and begin to compete against the God of all things, as if they have a chance.
Remember you were once a baby
But how so many mere men/women deceive themselves! The fertilization of microscopic sex gametes, formed in somebody's tummy, and born as babies who cry and can't speak. Beautiful, cute but totally helpless. These men (and women) grow, and from their perspective, they grow and grow and grow... far away from ever entertaining the thought they were once helpless babies and begin to compete against the God of all things, as if they have a chance.
Remember you were once a baby
Oh the golden promises of scripture
"How can you write a commentary without the word 'oohhh' in it!" - Piper
Darkness and Evil Revealed
I was thinking last night as i was reading the Bible with my beautiful lady:
isn't it great, but at the same time awefully SCARY, how God revealed the darkness and pure evil of the Israelities/Jews and Pharisees (and i suppose, generally, the human heart without God). God sent His Son, a member of triune God (and so God himself), and the people 'in their righteousness' killed him! They murdered Jesus! (as for his human nature; God certainly didn't die!)
wow! That's dark and scary and ironic. Thank God for the revitalising work of the Spirit
isn't it great, but at the same time awefully SCARY, how God revealed the darkness and pure evil of the Israelities/Jews and Pharisees (and i suppose, generally, the human heart without God). God sent His Son, a member of triune God (and so God himself), and the people 'in their righteousness' killed him! They murdered Jesus! (as for his human nature; God certainly didn't die!)
wow! That's dark and scary and ironic. Thank God for the revitalising work of the Spirit
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)