(considering) 8:28

Implications of the Sovereignty of God

recent posts

  • The Vaguaries of Google and the Reason for Moderation.

    Okay, for some reason, the graphic I have at the top of my post “Why do People Go To Hell” has been taken up by the image search at google. The result is that my website has been getting copious amounts of hits recently (at least for me). This is a weird feeling, as the post in question is one of my least favorite, and now I suddenly have some people happening by my site (and me not having written anything recently).

    Unfortunately, this also makes for the reason that I set my comments to “moderate” as I have recently been getting many comments seemingly designed to vent people’s frustration with my belief structure, with very little in the way of actual reasoned response. I’ve been allowing some, but from now on I’ll delete unless there’s some kind of reasoning behind the statements.

    I’ll also probably delete the ones made up almost entirely of swearing.

  • Daily Reading (March 17, 2008)

    Episcopal Church: The Bruhaha about the deposing of a sitting bishop continues.

    Environment: This is kinda disturbing, but why am I thinking of a Seinfeld episode?

    Weather: As I finish shovelling yesterday’s snow, I hear about another snowstorm. (at least it’s only predicting HALF A METER of snow over the next 24 hours).

    American Politics: Mark Steyn celebrates universal victimhood.

  • Online Reading (March 14, 2008)

    Law: Indian court clears Richard Gere of obscenity. They did not comment on his acting ability.

    Culture: Is Polyamory the next part of the Anglican “listening process”?

    Conference: Video is now available for all main sessions at the text and context conference. They are really good talks, but a sizable investment of time (about 80 mins each)

    Christian Life: J.I. Packer reviews his life and counts surprises.

  • Corinthian Piller

    If God is gracious, in the next few weeks I’ll be stating some ruminations about how Christian guys should behave with women, if for no other reason than to avoid my mistakes, and to make it easier for my sisters in the faith as they have to deal with us guys.

    After listening to the address by CJ Mahaney available online here, though, I realized that I had to begin with something different. As was pointed out to me, I realized that I need to support anything I say by way of criticism with the strength, humility, and unshakable foundation of the grace of God. Like Paul in his opening to Corinthians, I thank God for the gifts and blessings I have seen in his work in those around me, andI am especially thankful for the hope that gives me, based in the faithfulness of God.

    Essentially, before I seek to punch holes in an edifice I see as needing some alteration, I need to erect a pillar of grace to keep intact those things that God is actually doing in the very things I seek to critique. Indeed, I need to also remember where I stand in making these observations, again in the grace of a God who called me to where I am, and who in a thousand ways strengthens me.

    God is clearly at work in the men of these generations. I have been blessed to be exposed to many peers who honestly seek God, and seek to grow in His grace. I remember the guys who held me accountable as we met Sunday mornings in a coffee shop in Seoul before Church many years ago, and how they impelled and corrected me to be a more Godly man.

    I think of the young male Christian leaders I see at my university (whether they are in leadership roles or not) and how they model both gentleness and strength in the way they seek to live lives worthy of their calling on campus. I think of the male leaders in my Church, who model Godly family relationships, quiet strength and the desire and ability to seek God, His Righteousness, and His truth in the Church and in the world. I think of the many dads I know who are bringing up their children in the knowledge and love of the Lord.

    I am truly awed by the grace that God has granted me in knowing these men, and for showing me the smallest glimpse of how He is working in their lives.

    In each case, I see the work of God’s Spirit in their lives. As I write any form of scriptural advice on what I see as real problems, I want to first affirm that I see God at work. Since I see God at work, I can be confident that God will work all of these things out well, presenting us all faultless before Himself, because He has begun a work in those around me, and God is unshakably faithful. The Christian men I know are called of God, and God has never ever failed.

    So, as I think on the many things I can say about how men like me can improve, I begin by saying as Paul did, that I am thankful to know you and that  “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor 1:9)

  • Online Reading (March 13, 2008)

    If you like me actually doing these things, thank Newfoundland weather. :-)

    Homeschooling: An LA Times editorial sees Homeschooling as elitist and illiberal (avoid snickering here). Al Mohler responds.

    Martyrdom: The Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Iraq is found dead.

    Separated at Birth: Irish Calvinist finds out that Ray Comfort (Way of the Master) bears an uncanny resemblance to Pink Panther star Peter Sellers.

    Humor:Beware Peer Pressure.