tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71649611751579197742023-11-16T06:39:13.950-06:00Theological PonderingsTo the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
(Isa 8:20 ESV)Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-15153994094924292642010-04-04T21:08:00.003-05:002010-04-04T21:26:54.535-05:00The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (Book 1, chapter 2)<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxvhI1dm8G7Z1-g3Bky4xs8lAnIFnhQiTLv139lDMq60_v4sbiK-YcUIgrTyNxgRNwKqDR0i38oD16piwCtyw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Well, here's part 2 of the book. I hope to be more consistent with the posting of this, but I've had some troubles with the uploading process on youtube and working so many hours and being sick...Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-57370704053374646262010-03-31T22:39:00.004-05:002010-03-31T23:06:06.960-05:00The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (Book 1, chapter 1) (Narrated by your's truly)<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyoetkbDgWUH3s2JeQcwghJ8V95qo7BoO3ahkoALmLXe2_JEii-j832nDCGSLYNzyHNwJQktHMN_R27PibxHw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />I've decided to post this up for those of you who are not keen on the idea of trudging through all this difficult Old English. It's all because I luv ya!Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-88287244465905971722010-03-07T00:35:00.002-06:002010-03-07T00:40:06.099-06:00Shamelessly plugging a contest yet again...Well, I'm gonna do it again. I'm not all that familiar with the Puritans, but I think I'd like to be. This contest may just give me the chance to get a little familiar with 'em, and it might just pay off for you too. Why don'tcha go on ahead and give it a try by checking out this link <a href="http://jcrylequotes.com/2010/03/06/meet-the-puritans-book-giveaway/"><span style="font-weight:bold;">HERE</span></a>Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-32391531943985482742010-02-28T23:44:00.004-06:002010-04-28T22:12:22.439-05:00Jesus is the Most Valuable Treasure to be had in This LifeMany people think that the laws that God has given are there to keep us from enjoying the most fun indulgences and activities in life. They believe that God is some mean old rule maker in the sky who is out to get us whenever we step out of line with His list of rules. I’ve contemplated this occasionally in the last couple months or so, and I’m convinced that so many people actually can’t see the absurdity in this mindset. <br /><br />Let me tell you what I mean…<br /><br />Let’s take sex, for example. Suppose a young guy and girl get together and start spending time with one another and decide that they want to have sex. They aren’t married, and they have no intention of getting married, but they don’t even consider that they should because everyone else in the world is having sex anyways. What’s the big deal? So, they take that step into sin, and they continue in it until they despise one another and part ways.<br /><br />Now let me tell you what the big deal is…<br /><br />The girl finds out that she’s pregnant, and since the guy wants nothing to do with the girl he decides to let her deal with it. “Get an abortion!” he replies. (Of course, this would be a sin as well) The girl decides to reject his “advise” and has the baby. <br /><br />Now the girl has the burden (yet a blessing) of raising a kid on her own. She seeks child support from the ex, but this is nowhere near as helpful as having the guy around to take part in the kid’s life and help out with the many responsibilities. She has no time to go out or interact with her friends like she used to, so she doesn’t get to meet anyone else to have any kind of serious relationship with. She is lonely and tired and unfulfilled. <br /><br />This affects the kid also. He wonders why his dad never comes to see him and what he did wrong or what is wrong with him that his dad doesn’t love him. He seeks acceptance by other male “role models” in his neighborhood and ends up being used by the older boys and gets in trouble by doing things for them that he shouldn’t be doing.<br /><br />At the same time, the guy is struggling financially because of the raping of his paycheck by the child support agency. He wonders what the point of him working is anyways. His paychecks are so miniscule that he can never get ahead and wonders whether he should even worry about getting a good job or if he should just work under the table in order to avoid having to give up so much of his income.<br /><br />This situation is just one example of the way in which sin can affect the whole life of many people. The most disappointing thing is that even though the guy and girl in this story will recognize their disappointment with the end result, they wouldn’t even consider turning away from the sin that got them into this mess to begin with. They will gladly go out and find someone else to jump into bed with in order to experience the pleasure of that act that doesn’t last long enough to make up for a lifetime of consequence. Not to mention the fact that the effects of the first sin could carry over into the relationships the kid has in the future. <br /><br />This is just a great big mess.<br /><br />I hope it’s obvious that God’s laws are a sure way to keep from having to deal with a ruined life. What I’m sure won’t be so easy for some to grasp is the fact that following God’s ways will ensure the most satisfaction and joy in this life. Then again, there’s no way for us to even come anywhere close to following these laws that God has given. However, God has given us real life examples like the one I just shared, and He has also given us His standard to show us that we fall short and are unable to do what we ought to do. Contrary to what some might believe, this is a good thing—if we recognize it.<br /><br />The reason why it’s a good thing for us to know how far gone we are and how far off from the mark we are is because it shows how much we need something—or more properly, someONE to take care of this problem for us. I also tend to think that many people don’t realize that Jesus is the only one who EVER lived up to God’s laws and who gave Himself (and His perfectly lived life) as a substitute for everyone who will humble themselves by recognizing that they are not worthy but that they need Jesus to do for them what they can’t do for themselves. They apparently don’t realize that they can be changed progressively to want to do the things that please God and to be more like Jesus—the perfect one.<br /><br />Finally, I’m sure that these people don’t realize that Jesus is the most valuable treasure that may be had in this life, and that He doesn’t cease to be the most valuable treasure in this life alone—He’ll be even more important when we pass from this life. Who would ever choose a moment of pleasure in exchange for a lifetime AND an eternity of pleasure and satisfaction and joy and completeness and TRUE HAPPINESS? <br /><br />Nobody. <br /><br />This must mean that people truly are blind. And to prove it, many of the people who have heard this message are going to close this window without confessing their sin and their dependence on Christ and will continue in their dead end (literally) ways. I pray that this isn’t the case for you.Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-79704958823182505702010-02-17T07:20:00.000-06:002010-02-17T07:21:41.954-06:00Husband and WifeI thought this meditation by Ray Ortlund was too helpful not to post.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(64, 70, 75); line-height: 18px; "><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">“Let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Ephesians%205.33" class="lbsBibleRef" target="_blank" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">Ephesians 5:33</a></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">God made Adam first and put him in the Garden with a job to do, a mission to fulfill. In the heart of every fallen man is the self-doubt that wonders, “Am I man enough to climb this mountain God has called me to? Can I fulfill my destiny?” A wise wife will understand that question at the center of her husband’s heart. And she will spend her life answering it, communicating to him in various ways, “Honey, I believe in your call. I know you can do this, by God’s power. Go for it.” In this way, she will breathe life into her man.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">God made Eve from Adam, for Adam, to help him follow the call. In the heart of every fallen woman is the self-doubt that wonders, “Do I please you? Am I what you wanted?” A wise husband will understand that question at the center of his wife’s heart. And he will spend his life answering it, communicating to her in various ways, “Darling, you are the one I need. I cherish you. Let me hold you close.” In this way, he will breathe life into his wife.</p></span></div>Johnny Fieckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17932235712878739298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-54827958426231749222010-02-16T20:36:00.002-06:002010-02-16T20:42:40.887-06:00Meditations on the Gospel (Part 2)<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 2.1pt;margin-left:0in">I know it has been some time, but I plan to be consistent this time...no seriously! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 2.1pt;margin-left:0in">Meditating in the Gospel is not optional...do we get that?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 2.1pt;margin-left:0in">Enjoy!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 2.1pt;margin-left:0in"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 2.1pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:blue"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/298164310/" target="_blank">The Object & Cause of Faith</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:black">“The cross which is the object of faith, is also, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the cause of it. Sit down and watch the dying Saviour till faith springs up spontaneously in your heart. There is no place like Calvary for creating confidence. The air of that sacred hill brings health to trembling faith.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:black">- C. H. Spurgeon, </span><a href="http://www.spurgeon.org/all_of_g.htm" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:blue">All of Grace</span></i></a><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Georgia","serif"; color:black"> (Chicago, Il.: Moody Press, n.d.), 75.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 2.1pt;margin-left:0in"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/297546919/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:blue">Did sin ever appear so hateful to God as here?</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:black">“He was the eternal and only begotten Son of God, the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person. Yet he must descend from the throne of majesty, divest himself of his robes of insupportable light, take upon him the form of a servant, become a curse, and bleed to death for sin. Did ever sin appear so hateful to God as here? To demonstrate God’s infinite holiness, and hatred of sin, he would have the most glorious and most excellent person in heaven and earth to suffer for it. He would have his own Son to die on a disgraceful cross, and be exposed to the terrible flames of Divine wrath, rather than sin should live, and his holiness remain for ever disparaged by the violations of his law.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:black">- Thomas Boston, </span><a href="http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/91/-" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:blue">The Beauties of Boston</span></i></a><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Georgia","serif"; color:black"> (Inverness, UK; Christian Focus Publications, 1979), 91.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: 140%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Georgia","serif"; color:black;mso-no-proof:yes"><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_10" spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/OfFirstImportance/%7E4/297546919" style="width:.75pt;height:.75pt;visibility:visible"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\JOHNNY~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png" title="297546919"> </v:imagedata></v:shape></span><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/297216233/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:140%;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:blue">The Costly Suffering of Forgiveness</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:140%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:black">“The Cross is not simply a lovely example of sacrificial love. Throwing your life away needlessly is not admirable — it is wrong. Jesus’ death was only a good example if it was more than an example, if it was something absolutely necessary to rescue us. And it was. Why did Jesus </span><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:black">have</span></i><span style="font-size:9.0pt; line-height:140%;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black"> to die in order to forgive us? There was a debt to be paid — God himself paid it. There was a penalty to be born — God himself bore it. Forgiveness is always a form of costly suffering.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:black">- Timothy Keller, </span><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/5318/nm/The_Reason_for_God_Belief_in_an_Age_of_Skepticism_Hardcover_?utm_source=byl&utm_medium=byl" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:140%;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:blue">The Reason for God</span></i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:blue"> </span></a><span style="font-size:9.0pt; line-height:140%;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black">(New York, NY; Dutton, 2007), 193.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 2.1pt;margin-left:0in"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/291412581/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:blue">Waiting for Christ’s return</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:black">“The true Scriptural source of consolation, in the face of all that troubles us, is to keep steadily before our eyes the second coming of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:black">We must grasp and realize the blessed fact that the rightful King of the world is returning soon, and shall have His own again; that He shall put down that old usurper, the devil, and take away the curse from off the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:black">Let us cultivate the habit of daily looking forward to the resurrection of the dead, the gathering together of the saints, the restitution of all things, the banishment of sorrow and sin, and the re-establishment of a new kingdom, of which the rule shall be righteousness.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:black">- J.C. Ryle, </span><a href="http://www.gracegems.org/23/Ryle_Looking_Unto_Jesus.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family: "Georgia","serif";color:blue">“Looking Unto Jesus”</span></a><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Georgia","serif"; color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Johnny Fieckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17932235712878739298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-24330222584662283822010-02-09T20:50:00.008-06:002010-02-09T21:54:53.388-06:00Audio Book Review: Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvOgAECQB38Cwr7LiW1y44WtiCjWc8CgcqYcNxbUNIpF6BR3i3l9DmZIoUxIMvSP72CIhAavBcfynt8MWigvWifUxbA99geUiXWZsp9j2ozXA5o9qonlmyKf_vI__Lr1TVMMS5PqdNBY/s1600-h/Just_Do_Something_large.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvOgAECQB38Cwr7LiW1y44WtiCjWc8CgcqYcNxbUNIpF6BR3i3l9DmZIoUxIMvSP72CIhAavBcfynt8MWigvWifUxbA99geUiXWZsp9j2ozXA5o9qonlmyKf_vI__Lr1TVMMS5PqdNBY/s200/Just_Do_Something_large.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436447066982950162" /></a><br /><blockquote>This audio book review was made possible by the gracious generosity of the <a href="http://christianaudio.com/">christianaudio.com</a> reviewers program which supplied me with the copy for the review. Thanks guys!</blockquote><br /><br />This book is the key to knowing God's will for your life! Actually, the Bible is the key for knowing God's will for your life, but Kevin DeYoung displays the truth of this in this book quite well.<br /><br />Apparently, there are many volumes published on the same subject, but as far as I'm concerned there doesn't need to be another. Seriously. How many times does it have to be demonstrated from God's word what God's straightforward desire for your life is? I mean, really? It seems quite clear that Pastor DeYoung has noticed the clarity with which God has addressed this topic, and I would recommend this book to anyone who has any doubts that it could be so simple.<br /><br />From the outset, the narrator didn't seem to have enough variance in his voice to do DeYoung's writing style justice, but whether his voice grew on me or if the material itself was just compelling enough to shine through I ended up not in the least bit bothered by it. I think maybe the narrator was enjoying his job, and that may be why it progressively got better. Either way, I believe he did a good enough job to encourage me to listen to this again sometime in the future.<br /><br />I also HIGHLY recommend this book to non-Calvinists and those who would call themselves Calvinists who don't take enough initiative on their own because of their persuasion that God is so sovereign that they don't really need to get involved in anything. Again, Kevin DeYoung does a superb job of dispelling the misconceptions held by both of these groups. I would be more clear as to how that is done, but that may discourage you from investing in this book and benefiting by it.<br /><br />So, what are you waiting for? Don't just DO something--click the link and get listening:<br /><br /><a href="http://christianaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=2224">CLICK ME</a>!Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-54069253462841626642010-02-06T10:02:00.004-06:002010-02-18T19:56:27.115-06:00An Important ReadWell, I'm sitting at home now, waiting to hear from my supervisor to let me know if we'll be doing any work today. While I'm waiting, I decided to read the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. I really can't tell you what caused me to decide to look this up and read it (besides the Holy Spirit); but I've heard many people tell me how important it is, and I now agree with them.<br /><br />The unfortunate thing is that many Christians will never read this or ever consider what they actually believe (positive and negatively) about the Bible and how we got it and why it's important to consider these things. Fortunately for you, the reader of this post, you have the opportunity to read it by following this link:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/chicago.htm">http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/chicago.htm<br /></a><br />Isn't it great that you have me looking out for your spiritual well being?<br /><br />Well, my supervisor just gave me that call, so I gotta get off to work. Enjoy the edifying read!<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-44508228746667339212010-02-03T20:00:00.003-06:002010-02-03T20:19:49.057-06:00Ponder this (rejoicing in sufferings):"...in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." (Psalm 139:16b)<br /><br />Every one of them "were written" by God.<br /><br />They were specifically formed "for you."<br /><br />Do you love the Lord you God? Does He love you? Perhaps you were foreknown, predestined, called, justified and glorified by God Himself (Romans 8:29-30--notice how they all necessarily flow from the previous?).<br /><br />By the way, I'm asking if you're saved...<br /><br />If so, then stop worrying and complaining about anything you might be worrying or complaining about. It has been put there by God Himself in order to burn off the impurities in your faith and make you more like Jesus. So, as I'm telling myself this I hope you can also see the wisdom in rejoicing in your sufferings (Rom. 5:3-5) and the foolishness of you complaints.<br /><br />May you not have too many slap your forehead moments...Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-36695335913262847902010-01-06T05:03:00.006-06:002010-01-06T05:36:57.415-06:00Audio Book Review: A Sweet and Bitter Providence by John Piper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsdbn_8k8F1VNSJXLhUmKnmwme0STcJeNaAQtFubPs_m6bTv-bhxPg5tSNJsFyXFllRKFiv8I7MacDceEhD6v_OBnAZTdWC_8gOZtkaPOa-OdMbfd-3-kS88Ea8uoLu8XFL7Mc5luK7w/s1600-h/A_Sweet_And_Bitter_Providence_large.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsdbn_8k8F1VNSJXLhUmKnmwme0STcJeNaAQtFubPs_m6bTv-bhxPg5tSNJsFyXFllRKFiv8I7MacDceEhD6v_OBnAZTdWC_8gOZtkaPOa-OdMbfd-3-kS88Ea8uoLu8XFL7Mc5luK7w/s200/A_Sweet_And_Bitter_Providence_large.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423589403494259458" /></a><br />As God’s word teaches us all things necessary for life and godliness (II Tim. 3:16-17) and for forming a proper Christian worldview, it is fitting for John Piper (by means of the voice of Grover Gardner, who has such a clear and pleasant reading voice) to walk us through the book of Ruth in order to teach us about the all-important doctrine of God’s sovereignty. I was quite delighted to be shown the fullness of God’s sovereignty in such specific aspects as shown in Ruth ; though, I was expecting the doctrine of the sovereignty of God to be shown by means of various citations. This could have easily been done as Dr. Piper points out (there are hundreds of texts that show this), but I appreciate the demonstration of the practicality of God’s word for our daily lives from the narratives of the Old Testament. I actually believe this to be the more practical method, as it encourages thoughtful and attentive study of the Bible’s biographies.<br /><br />The practicality of the life of Ruth (and Naomi) for our lives is what I see as the most important focus of Piper’s book. Characteristically of John Piper, he applies the whole message of the book of Ruth (God’s sovereignty, the significance of interracial relations and equality and our sex lives) to the most practical aspects of our lives and calls us to form a proper Christian worldview by applying these truths. How ought we to live in light of these truths? That is the real question we should be asking, and it is for God’s glory and our joy that we must think about it. I invite you all to take and read (or in this case listen).<br /><br />And you can order this audio book from christianaudio.com by simply clicking <a href="http://christianaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=2230">HERE</a>.Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-49178375864993556392009-11-20T21:48:00.002-06:002009-11-20T22:00:34.111-06:00John's got me SO pumped!I'm so excited to see a post from John! YES! haha And the substance of the post is great! Just what I expected. Well, I've been inspired...<br /><br />I've been walking around with a song running through my head for well over a week now, and I'd like to share it with you. I'm teaching it to my kids, and my oldest daughter was singing it the grandparents earlier. I love it! And I just found an amazing version of the song on the internet that actually includes yours truly. As a matter of fact, it includes the whole cast of this blog here, and I think you'll be blessed as you listen. First, here's the lyrics:<br /><br />Before the throne of God above<br />I have a strong and perfect plea.<br />A great high Priest whose Name is Love<br />Who ever lives and pleads for me.<br />My name is graven on His hands,<br />My name is written on His heart.<br />I know that while in Heaven He stands<br />No tongue can bid me thence depart.<br /><br />When Satan tempts me to despair<br />And tells me of the guilt within,<br />Upward I look and see Him there<br />Who made an end of all my sin.<br />Because the sinless Savior died<br />My sinful soul is counted free.<br />For God the just is satisfied<br />To look on Him and pardon me.<br /><br />Behold Him there the risen Lamb,<br />My perfect spotless righteousness,<br />The great unchangeable I AM,<br />The King of glory and of grace,<br />One in Himself I cannot die.<br />My soul is purchased by His blood,<br />My life is hid with Christ on high,<br />With Christ my Savior and my God!<br /><br /><br />Great lyrics, huh? Now go listen to this powerful presentation of it:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imeem.com/jonathanyang/music/AYFAzX6m/sovereign-grace-music-before-the-throne-of-god-above/">BE BLESSED!</a>Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-49848951349662009862009-11-20T15:06:00.002-06:002009-11-20T16:01:24.393-06:00Meditations on the Gospel (Part 1)How do you view the Gospel? Do you think of the Gospel merely as something you trusted in the past? Or is it now simply the message you need to share with others in the future? God has done a mighty work in my life in regards to the Gospel studied, pondered and applied each day. Sanctification is impossible apart from the Gospel, thus I need the Gospel just as much today as I needed it June 16th of 2002. Here follows quotations from Gospel saturated men that have shepherded my soul and forced me to drink deeply of the Gospel every day. I pray these meditations will result in much fruit as you strive forward towards the goal of Christlikeness. <div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 2.1pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/301009929/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">“I am your hell—and you are my heaven”</span></span></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">The mediatorial righteousness of Christ will answer to all the fears, doubts, and objections of your souls.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">How shall I look up to God? The answer is—In the righteousness of Christ. How shall I have any communion with a holy God in this world? The answer is—In the righteousness of Christ. How shall I find acceptance with God? The answer is—In the righteousness of Christ. How shall I die? The answer is—In the righteousness of Christ. How shall I stand before the judgment seat? The answer is—In the righteousness of Christ.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Your sure and only way under all temptations, fears, conflicts, doubts, and disputes, is by faith to remember Christ, and the sufferings of Christ, as your mediator and surety, and say, ‘O Christ! you are my sin—in being made sin for me; and you are my curse—in being made a curse for me. Or rather, I am your sin—and you are my righteousness; I am your curse—and you are my blessing; I am your death—and you are my life; I am the wrath of God to you—and you are the love of God to me; I am your hell—and you are my heaven.’</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">- Thomas Brooks, </span><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/730/nm/Works_of_Thomas_Brooks_Set/?utm_source=byl&utm_medium=byl" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">A Cabinet of Choice Jewels</span></span></span></i></a><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 2.1pt;margin-left:0in"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/300312836/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Making sense of your story</span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">“It is only when I see what God is doing with the world through Christ, and for the glory of Christ, that I am able to see where I fit in the big storyline of the universe or in the little storyline of my own life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">The Apostle Paul’s words to the Romans are familiar passages of comfort for believers. ‘And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose’ (Rom 8:28). This verse does not mean, however, simply a cheery ‘What doesn’t kill you’ll make you stronger; hang in there.’ Instead, Paul says that the believer’s little story ultimately is a glorious one because it is part of a larger story, that I may be ‘conformed to the image of His Son, that He may be the firstborn among many brothers’ (Rom 8:29).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">How do I know that my story ends happily? I only know this if I am found in Christ. But, if I am, then like all my forefathers and foremothers before me, I am free from condemnation, liberated from the curse, triumphant over death, the heir of the universe, the child of God in whom He is well pleased.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">—Russell Moore, </span><a href="http://www.henryinstitute.org/commentary_read.php?cid=467" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">“Beyond a Veggie Tales Gospel: Why We Must Preach Christ from Every Text”</span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 2.1pt;margin-left:0in"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/299564592/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">In Our Place He Lived & Died</span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">“God the Father entered into an eternal covenant with God the Son; he made Christ the head, the representative of the elect, as Adam was the head, the representative of all his seed. For these the Lord Jesus Christ undertook to fulfill the covenant of works. For these Jesus Christ died a painful, cursed, ignominious death; and by his obedience, and by his death, wrought out an everlasting righteousness for them.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">- George Whitefield, quoted by Steve Jeffery, et al. in </span><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/5350/nm/Pierced_for_Our_Transgressions_Rediscovering_the_Glory_of_Penal_Substitution_Paperback_?utm_source=byl&utm_medium=byl" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Pierced for Our Transgressions</span></span></span></i></a><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 140%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "> (Wheaton, Ill.; Crossway Books, 2007), 193.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">More to follow...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:140%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></p></div>Johnny Fieckahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17932235712878739298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-54328216754473190132009-11-19T22:35:00.003-06:002009-11-19T23:04:17.008-06:00And they say they want EQUAL rights?Well, James White has again posted another insightful entry on a topic that he has been on top of for a long time. The post has to do with the events happening now in the UK with the "gay rights" activists attempting to have civil union ceremonies performed in churches. He has some good things to add over at his blog <a href="http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=3633">HERE</a>. I recommend his post to you. <br /><br />Dr. White also links to the original article on his page, and I recommend reading that article too. <br /><br />I have to say, this just seems downright ridiculous. How on earth can a group who is blatantly rebelling against Christianity and its long historical beliefs decide that it wants to storm the doors of these churches in order to have them bless something that they absolutely cannot even accept as valid? Why would this activist group even care what these churches think about their relationships? I would think that they would want to stay away from the churches rather than go to them. <br /><br />On the other hand, the Bible says that those who reject God's rule over them will be judged in this way. And the judgment is their perverted sexual desires ruling them and causing them to bring more judgment on their own heads. And for those who think I'm merely spouting off bigoted slander, here's the passage in question:<br /><blockquote><br />For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, BECAUSE they exchanged the truth about God for a lie</span> and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. <span style="font-weight:bold;">For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions</span>. [NOW WATCH THIS] For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. <br />(Rom 1:18-32 ESV)</blockquote><br /><br />So, the Bible affirms this behavior as being the rebellion of creatures against their creator, and the extended vigor with which they pursue this rebellion is God's judgment upon them. <br /><br />All this behavior coming from the extreme, radical gay activists is similar to the behavior I see from my children. Unless checked, my children will stomp their feet and deliberately disobey my commands just to spite me. They are naturally rebels. This is why it is so important to keep track of their actions and shepherd them in order that they don't end up rebelling against God and ending up eternally regretting it. <br /><br />I see some gay people who are so extremely and overtly flamboyant and I wonder why they are so concerned with advertising. What I hope, though, is that we as Christ's ambassadors, who possess the only message of healing and reconciliation (II Cor. 5:20) will be willing to overlook these sinners' rebellion and attempt to befriend them in the hope that we will be given the opportunity to be used of God to pull them out of the fire and introduce them to their Savior. After all, we were all likewise rebellious sinners in need of this soul saving message, and we would be to blame and have blood on our hands if we neglected in any way to hold out this message of reconciliation for any reason--even if the sin we confront in the process makes us feel queasy.Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-40763635983091924922009-11-18T21:00:00.002-06:002009-11-18T21:04:25.893-06:00Where my homies at?!If anyone recalls, I did invite a couple friends of mine to add some flavor to the blog a while back, but, as most can see, they are missing in action. <br /><br />One friend is busy on the mission field, and the other is knee deep (shoulder deep maybe) in schoolwork; BUT I sure would like to get some contributions from them. Maybe we could get an update from the mission field with some testimony to God's awesomeness. Maybe we could get some updates and insight into a budding theologian's schoolwork and projects. Maybe these two fellows are hoarding the blessings and have no intention of sharing these things with us (one or two people who actually erad the blog).<br /><br />Only time will tell...Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-34835925615438653872009-11-18T20:54:00.002-06:002009-11-18T21:00:15.412-06:00Go check out the contrast...I posted the first of these two videos on my Facebook page, but I'll settle for a link to the source where I first encountered them. <a href="http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=3630">THIS</a> is a link to James White's blog where he has a powerfully preached sermon straight from the heart of the man who first preached it, and then he has another video by Joel Osteen which is obviously a much different message. It's worth the time to watch--especially the first video. I recommend both, though, because it's nice to exercise our minds in worship to God by being familiar with the false messages in order to keep a clear understanding of the power and clarity of the truth.Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-1617334402986685052009-11-13T22:10:00.004-06:002009-11-13T22:50:27.678-06:00Spurred on to reflection<blockquote>He gave His life as a ransom, I’m hyped and I’m dancing<br />When reciting my anthems of Christ, the Righteous Lamb who lights my lantern<br />Who else but the Lord of the nations<br />Can hype a heathen drunkard to write without even one word of self-glorification?<br />My feeble words- inadequate indeed to describe the Immaculate Seed<br />Destined to do miraculous deeds<br />At the age of twelve, he had the old heads amazed at His insights<br />Obeyed His parents, even though He created their wind pipes<br />A true Anomaly- and who can ponder the<br />Servant fighting the serpent in the desert with verses from Deuteronomy<br />Satan threw every obstacle at Him, but couldn’t fathom<br />The brilliant stratagems of the eschatological Adam<br />The uniqueness of His meekness is too deep to speak<br />And if you think meekness is weakness, try being meek for a week<br />Perfect humanity- yet bubbling with divinity<br />Fulfilling the eternal covenant within the Trinity<br />Excruciating suffering, infinite agony<br />Divine abandonment for the Inventor of gravity<br />No sin in His Majesty, He was a substitute<br />The fruit of His love was enough to scoop sin up from the root<br />The third day rose victorious- meaning history is<br />A play that God’s directing to make Jesus look glorious<br />We spit holy speech over beats to turn up the temperature<br />And no retreat though we seek the return of the Emperor!</blockquote><br /><br />"Obeyed His parents, even though He created their wind pipes?!" Every time I hear that line, I smile and consider the profundity of it! I love it! And how often do I reflect on thoughts like these? Not enough. Of course He created His parents' windpipes--He created their whole being! So why don't I take more time to reflect on little details of my Lord like this? I must not want to experience the blessing and joy that comes along with doing it. So, I guess that means that I'm stupid. <br /><br />Well, I better work on that...<br /><br />How about "Divine abandonment for the Inventor of gravity?" This is another classic line. Wow! God thought up all the minute details that we take for granted every day! Some might think this is a worthless, time wasting activity, but how worthy of our time and effort are the details of our Lord's life on this earth and His preexistence and transcendence and every other detail we can take the time to ponder over! These are worthy tasks that we should all consider taking the time to ponder over more often.<br /><br />Of course, maybe I'm the only slacker on this area... <br /><br />I love the fact that Shai Linne's songs are so well thought through. And I encourage everyone who is able to get online and purchase one or all of his albums because his songs are full of lines that are deep and so obvious at the same time. Many times I have listened and remarked, "Wow! Of course Jesus is _______! Why hasn't that affected me before?" Sometimes you just need to be reminded of His greatness, I guess. Well, at least I do. And if you'd like to be blessed by this lyrical theology, go check out his blog <a href="http://lyricaltheology.blogspot.com/">HERE</a> to read some of his song lyrics, and get over <a href="http://www.merchline.com/lampmode/category.3163.c.php">HERE</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QJWQC0/ref=dm_dp_adp">HERE</a> to pick up single songs or whole albums.<br /><br />Oh, and consider one more thought from this song: <br /><br />"The uniqueness of His meekness is too deep to speak<br />And if you think meekness is weakness, try being meek for a week"<br /><br />Go on, try it. If you do, you'll appreciate even more deeply the task that He accomplished and hopefully be forced to worship Him often for the perfection that He achieved on your behalf. And it's a good thing, too!Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-55329646956775260462009-11-12T21:45:00.003-06:002009-11-12T22:18:50.095-06:00A Failure of Local ChurchesI'm reading an amazing book called <span style="font-style:italic;">Dear Timothy</span>. It's a clever concept written by a group of seasoned pastors as a series of letters to a young pastor who is just starting out in his first church. It has some great insights for anyone planning to go into the pastoral ministry, and I highly recommend it. <br /><br />This post, however, is not meant to be a review. <br /><br />I wanted to share a paragraph cited in the book from another book written by A.W. Pink. This is from Mark Dever's chapter entitled "Do the Work of an Evangelist" on page 163. Apparently, Pink was writing on a subject that is depressingly still relevant that was going on in Australia (his home?) in the 1920s. Allow me to share:<br /><br /><blockquote>General religious conditions here are very similar to those which obtain in the USA. The vast majority of the churches are in a sorry state. Those that are out-and-out worldly are at their wits' end to invent new devices for drawing a crowd. Others which still preserve an outward form of godliness provide nothing substantial for the soul; there is little ministering of Christ to the heart and little preaching of "sound doctrine," without which souls cannot be built up and established in the faith. The great majority of the "pastors" summon to their aid some professional "evangelist," who, for two to four weeks, puts on a high-pressure campaign and secures sufficient new "converts" to take the place of those who have "lapsed" since he was last with them. What a farce it all is! What an acknowledgement of their own failure! Imagine C. H. Spurgeon needing some evangelist to preach the Gospel for him for a month each year! Why do not these well-paid "pastors" heed 2 Timothy 4:5 and <span style="font-style:italic;">themselves</span> "do the work of an evangelist," and thus "make full proof of their ministry"?</blockquote><br /><br />That's quite a question. I thought nothing of the significance or the error behind the position of a full time evangelist who travels to many churches in order to preach revivals and what not until I was in Bible college. I noticed then that there really is no such office in the NT expressed in the way it is now, and I wondered about the validity of it. <br /><br />Apparently, I'm not the only one who has pondered this, and I think that Pink may have been on to something. <br /><br />I wonder what makes pastors think that they need to call on some professional "evangelist" when the pastor is to be the one doing the work of an evangelist and training his people to carry on that responsibility into their own lives (Eph 4:11-12). I know that the text in Ephesians names evangelists too, but not in the way that it is now expressed. Maybe it's due to the fact that it's been done for so long. Maybe it's because there are men training for this office and they need somebody to give em some work. I'm not really sure how it has come about, but I (and some godly men too) would like to know why. <br /><br />I wonder if men leading churches today even care enough to start allowing God's Spirit to work through the faithful preaching of the word and attend to the responsibility of evangelizing people themselves. After all, it's not the visible results that your looking for--it's the faithful obedience that counts (or is it?).Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-89449254445613935902009-11-09T22:03:00.000-06:002009-11-09T22:03:26.933-06:00Pyromaniacs: A Most Ingenious ParadoxIs Your Theology...<span style="font-style:italic;">paradoxical</span>? Oh, please read.<br /><br /><a href="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2009/11/most-ingenious-paradox.html">Pyromaniacs: A Most Ingenious Paradox</a>Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-74896942184450297432009-10-26T10:43:00.000-05:002009-10-26T10:44:51.420-05:00The Benevolent Rich ManI recently heard a great illustration that I wanted to pass along:<br /><br />Suppose a rich man knew another extremely poor man who needed a series of surgeries in order to keep himself from dying from an otherwise terminal illness. The surgeries would cost the poor man a total of 10,000,000 dollars over time, but there would be no possibility of that ever happening for him. The rich man, being the benevolent man that he was, decided to offer the poor man the money needed for his surgery to be paid in full and applied at the right time in order to make the future surgeries a guarantee. The poor man realizes his need for the money and ecstatically accepts the money and is made well.<br /><br />Now, suppose that the rich man not only offered the money to the one poor man in need, but he also offered the money to another poor man in the same financial situation, with the same disease. The only difference in this story is that while the first poor man accepts the gift from the benevolent rich man the second poor man declines the offer. Of course we know that the rich man is not lacking in any benevolence, but what can we say of the second poor man? What is the difference from the one to the other? They both need the money in order to survive, but only one recognizes that need while the other one doesn't. What is wrong with this picture? Is one completely stupid? Is he in denial? What makes the first poor man accept the offer over the other poor man? Is the first poor man smarter than the second? They're in the exact same situation with no advantage over the other, so what gives?<br /><br />What do you suppose would be the answer?Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-56593845278292981162009-10-26T09:00:00.002-05:002009-10-26T09:16:23.034-05:00Why "Roman Catholic" is Accurate, and Merely "Catholic" is Not by James WhiteI wanted to pass this along because I think it's helpful. We cannot and never should we relinquish the deserving title of "catholic" to the Roman church. This would be inaccurate and irresponsible; but as Dr. White is much better at articulation, see what he has to say:<br /><br /><a href="http://aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=3584">CLICK ME...</a>Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-12459653649257686372009-10-19T22:55:00.005-05:002009-10-24T23:43:00.804-05:00...for Spiritual Growth and UnderstandingFor quite some time now I've been observing and engaging believers who are excited and motivated to do work for the Lord. I find it refreshing that these folks have gained a heart for the Lord and are anxious to see others come to know Him--as it should be. The thing that I find overwhelmingly disappointing, though, is the lack on the part of some to truly seek to mine the depths of the riches of the knowledge of God that He has approved of us having by giving them to us in the Scriptures. The reason for my disappointment is due to the fact that knowing God is the essence of eternal life (Jn 17:3), and if we don't pursue this knowledge then what on earth are we actually holding forth to the nations?!<br /><br />I think I should be more precise...<br /><br />There have been many times in which I have been speaking to friends about theological topics when they express some pious attitude about how they don't think they'll ever know the truth about some particular aspect of who God is or what He's done in this world and among His people. They claim that something is a "paradox" if it seems as though there is some tension between one thing that the Bible says and another thing. If these people are being sincere, then I understand their hesitation, but I would still encourage them not to give up there. If they call something a paradox because they don't want to be in disagreement with someone over something that has been disagreed on for a really long time, they are guilty of letting someone's feelings about them get in the way of their knowledge of God. They are allowing someone to get in the way of their eternal life. There are many explanations of why those apparent contradictions appear to be at odds with one another, and it doesn't have to mean that there is no resolution beside calling it a paradox.<br /><br />I have an example:<br /><br />Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" <br />(Joh 20:17)<br /><br />Now, any orthodox Christian would say that Jesus Christ is God, and that God is a triune being. Though this is true, how does this verse fit with that belief? I've had Jehovah's Witnesses confront me with this verse, and it would not do to simply say, "Well, that's what Christians have always believed." No, this, in their minds, is a contradiction to your belief in the Trinity. Is this verse merely a paradoxical one that we just have to accept on the authority of tradition, or is this a verse that fits harmoniously together with those other verses that affirm the fact that Christ is indeed God in the flesh and that demonstrate His preexistence to all creation? We need to be able to affirm things like these, not on the basis of tradition, but on the authority that we believe that the Scriptures have as the authority to equip us for every good work (II Tim. 3:16-17).<br /><br />Supposing we don't let the doctrine of the Trinity rest on mere tradition, have we satisfied ourselves with a surface level understanding of this truth about God based on a few verses that seem to fit this together for us? Hopefully, we've spent time reading the Bible and putting these things together in a way that truly satisfies our understanding of God because we love Him because of who He is and what He's done in our lives. Hopefully, we've done these things because we value the relationship that we've been given with Him and are pursuing this eternal life.<br /><br />I have an illustration...<br /><br />Imagine Tony, a 17 year old boy who sees Tanya, a girl of the same age walking to school every day past his house. Tony likes what Tanya has to offer him in the looks department, so he goes to talk to her, asks her out on a date, and they begin to get more deeply involved with one another. Eventually, their relationship leads to marriage, and they begin their life together.<br /><br />Do you suppose Tony knows nothing about his wife? Does he know that she looks great, takes great care of the house, and treats him really nice; but he has no idea what her interests or goals are? Doesn't it makes sense that Tony would know the most intimate details about who Tanya is and what makes Tanya Tanya? And why would he know these things? Or why would he have even cared enough to do the hard work it sometimes takes to find these things out? It's because he loves her and he values his relationship with her. <br /><br />Do you suppose that anyone would believe Tony's claim of loving his wife if he didn't desire to really KNOW his wife (and I'm not talking about King James "know")? Would you believe anyone who said that they loved their wife while not knowing anything about the woman? "Yeah, she looks great and don't bother me too much." Do you think that's love? No one would.<br /><br />The point I'm trying to make is: if eternal life is knowing God, how much do we value this eternal life that we've been given? If we truly value the privilege of knowing God, can we really be content saying, "I don't want to worry about all those details, I just want to tell people about Him so they can be saved." Why? Why would they want to be saved? So they don't have to go to hell? Is that the real reason they should want to be saved? Is that the end all be all? Why do you want to tell them about Him? What is so great about Him anyways? Is it the fact that He can do this great thing for you? So, it's about what you can get from Him instead of getting HIM?<br /><br />Somebody help me out here! I know I'm rambling, and I think rightly so! I'm frustrated! How can we call ourselves Christians while neglecting to spend time getting to know this Lover of our souls as we would some beautiful young woman or good-looking young man (if you're a woman)? How insulting to the One who loved us enough to crush and slay His Son in order to bring us close to Him! We would do this with no shame for "the one," so what keeps us from some discomfort in plumbing the depths of the word and discussing these truths and reading things outside of the Bible in order to fully understand (as far as possible in this life) the magnificence of our God?! <br /><br />As I write this, I can't deny that I fall short in this. I know fully the fact that I should be spending more time in the word desperately seeking to know Him more than I did yesterday. This is something none of us can escape. We need more of God, and we ALL need to take time to understand who He is as far as His word will take us. And we need to do all that we can to understand how He saved us and what He has done in the world and why and every other detail that He has revealed to us in His word; and we should try and try until we have been fully convinced from His word that He has finally answered, "This far and no farther." Don't give up and don't give in. This is the greatest treasure that we have in this life--to know GOD!<br /><br />Don't end up like the adopted son who gives people a bad impression of his dad. Get to know your Dad in order to represent Him accurately and becomingly. If we work harder at knowing God more fully, we can make an impact in pushing back the tide of error that has marked American Christianity for so many years. We can truly inform people of His love that can be experienced and relished for the rest of this life and on into eternity.Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-5162615894510587842009-10-19T22:07:00.003-05:002009-10-19T22:55:22.896-05:00A Practical Plea...Imagine a young man of 17 being adopted by a man who owns a car dealership that specializes in buying clunkers in order to repair and resell them. Suppose this young man is excited to get down and dirty and work on those clunkers in order to add to his adopted father's success and notoriety. This young man has no earthly clue as to how you change oil, let alone how to replace an engine; but he is so anxious to make his father proud by getting these clunkers road worthy so they can serve his father's purpose.<br /><br />Little does this adopted son realize, but his new father is more interested in doing business according to a particular method. His father has decided that he wants the best possible parts to be used by people that have been trained to do things according to the specific method that he has developed. The young man's father has arranged things in this way so that he will be regarded with honor and respect as the trustworthy architect of an upright business establishment.<br /><br />However, the newly adopted son has realized the goodness of his gracious father and has decided to try to bring much more honor to his name by getting as many of his cars on the road as possible--no matter how shoddy the work ends up being in the process. Unfortunately, the son has missed the goal and the method of the father, and he has therefore allowed unworthy representative automobiles onto the road that have actually damaged his father's reputation...Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-22317860819068148912009-09-23T11:40:00.006-05:002009-09-23T12:04:11.915-05:00Free Audiobook Anyone?<a href="http://stclementshrine.org/assets/images/link_images/ChristianAudio.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 79px;" src="http://stclementshrine.org/assets/images/link_images/ChristianAudio.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Ya know, it simply just never dawned on me that I can share the really great things I come across with you all who read my blog. And for those of you who read my blog, you've had very little to do lately, I know--sorry. Anyways, I just LOVE audiobooks, and I'm on a list over at <a href="http://christianaudio.com/">christianaudio.com</a> to receive all their free offers in my email. Every month they offer something new, and occasionally they'll offer something spontaneously. That spontaneity is why I post today. Go over and complete this short survey, and you get some free Francis Schaeffer. Yeah, that's right. Francis Schaeffer, baby! <a href="http://christianaudio.com/blog/?p=231"><strong>*****Enjoy*****</strong></a>!Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-58527122094603324752009-08-28T20:34:00.003-05:002009-08-28T21:10:42.940-05:00Some Thoughts from Church HistoryI know it's been a long time since I last posted, and I'm not thinking that anyone is actually gonna read this one...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BUT</span> I'm reading the First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, and I'd like to at least log some thoughts on my reading. I hope someone else may benefit from these thoughts sometime in the future if/when they are dug up from a time capsule or somethin.<br /><br />This letter is pretty much an exhortation to the Corinthians from what seems to be the elders at the church in Rome that these Corinthians would repent of some bad decisions and follow the path of righteousness. The half that I've read so far is not much more than a regurgitation of Scripture. Seriously, the bulk of the letter so far is one quotation after another, and this seems to me to be a great method of exhortation.<br /><br />The few lines that gave rise to my posting of this comes from a paragraph focused on encouraging the Corinthians to make a sincere turn around and to let it show by the outward actions of their lives. Now, here's a few lines:<br /><br /><blockquote>"Let us reflect how near He [God] is, and that none of the thoughts or reasonings in which we engage are hid from Him. It is right, therefore, that we should not leave the post which His will has assigned us. Let us rather offend those men who are foolish, and inconsiderate, and lifted up, and who glory in the pride of their speech, than [offend] God."</blockquote><br /><br />I think this is a useful thought to meditate on. To "reflect" on the fact that God is as good as standing right next to us as we reason through our sinful thoughts (and can hear every one of them as though we were speaking them out loud) is a reality that would hopefully keep us from committing these heinous acts. How often would we actually sin if we could see Jesus standing next to us with His eyes fixed on us as they were on Peter just after He denied his Lord? The sad reality is that we might just do those things anyways. Though we may consider these things, would we act as one who actively holds down his knowledge of his creator?<br /><br />But the quotation also gives a practical and relevant exhortation to be prepared to offend those unbelievers (or practical atheist who call themselves believers) instead of chancing an offense toward God. This is a very relevant exhortation in our time because we are faced with this just about every day. We are most likely faced with the temptation every day when we consider ourselves as the ones who are "foolish," "inconsiderate," and prideful. We cannot be caterers to those around us who have no concern for our relationship with God. We absolutely MUST fight the spiritual battle against ourselves and others as we are tempted to do those things that are displeasing to God. <br /><br />And with all that being said, I think that the closing words of the paragraph are the most fitting ones for the close of this post:<br /><br /><blockquote>For He is a Searcher of the thoughts and desires [of the heart]: <span style="font-weight:bold;">His breath is in us; and when He pleases, He will take it away</span>.</blockquote><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">[all quotations are from chapter xxi of The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians--just in case you want to look them up...]</span>Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164961175157919774.post-62956849231782046732009-07-08T11:01:00.004-05:002009-07-08T11:10:26.352-05:00The Great Logos Bible Giveaway!Hey everybody! I noticed that there have been many hits to my blog though I haven't had the time to post in a great long while. Since I noticed this, I decided to add a new blog post about a great little contest that I, as a Logos email update receiver, have just been made aware of. <br /><br />I realize that if you're reading my blog that you probably have some interest in this contest, and I decided to share it with you all. I actually get entered into a contest to win a free new Bible if I post this on my blog, so I guess I have a bit of a selfish motive included here--but I love you all just the same. Anyways, here's the information that they would like for me to share with you all:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.logos.com/">Logos Bible Software</a> is celebrating the launch of their new <a href="http://bible.logos.com/">online Bible</a> by giving away <a href="http://bible.logos.com/content/giveaway">72 ultra-premium print Bibles</a> at a rate of 12 per month for six months. The <a href="http://bible.logos.com/content/giveaway">Bible giveaway</a> is being held at <a href="http://bible.logos.com/content/giveaway">Bible.Logos.com</a> and you can get up to five different entries each month! After you enter, be sure to check out <a href="http://www.logos.com/">Logos</a> and see how it can revolutionize your <a href="http://www.logos.com/demo">Bible study</a>.<br /><br />You'll also notice that I have a Bible search bar on the side of the blog, courtesy of logos.com, and I plan to keep that there for your convenience. Now get over to the <a href="http://blog.logos.com/archives/2009/07/the_great_bible_giveaway.html">logos blog</a> and enter!Michael.Gabrielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10312040031325923270noreply@blogger.com0