6/24/2005

Two Marriages and the Single Guy.

Listening to: 16 Horsepower- Black Soul Choir "Every man is evil, yes, every man a liar. Unashamed with a wicked tongue, singin' in the black soul choir..." 16HP is truly one of the best and most unique bands from the 90's. Sackloth 'n' Ashes is truly a classic album.

Tomorrow I am an usher in Josh and Tonya's wedding.
Tomorrow Caleb Hunt is also getting married.

And yes, I am still a single man.
But that's okay.

I can deal with singleness. My Dad says that the two things I'll never do are to get a license and to get married. He may indeed be right with the first, but hopefully he's wrong with the latter. I do want to get married sometime. Women truly are the most beautiful of God's creations.

Thanks Meaghan. A grey to my black and white can make things much better.

Apparently I bring out the worst in young kids. I must have a sign that says "Punch me Please!"

My church is planning on having a missions trip to Haiti in December, but due to the current outbreak of fighting, Canada has banned travellers from going to Haiti right now. I have faith that this ban will be lifted by December. We will go to Haiti.

6/23/2005

On a Wire

Listening to: Johnny Cash- Bird on a Wire (Live with an Orchestra) I just got the Unearthed boxed set today. Five discs of Cash goodness. Oh the joyous old school country.

When I was a kid my grandparents had a cottage in North Ontario... north enough that in the summer it dropped into the negatives at night. My parents and I had a 1990 special edition Ford Mustang. I would sit in the back as we drove the two or so hours to get there, listening to my dad's blaring old school country cds. Willie Nelson, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and yes... Johnny Cash. I think those car trips had more of an influence on me than I realize at times.

Having conversations with God are interesting. Usually its him telling me I'm going to do something, me protesting, then him putting an insatiable desire in my heart for doing that thing he told me to do. Who's in control of my life? Hmm...

I got two scholarships for $1000.00 each this week, including the "Tim Horton's Community Leadership" scholarship. It's about freaking time Timmy's gave me some money for free... Anyway, that's 1/3 of next years tuition. Joy.

I've been reading the epistle of Hebrews, and from the first chapter alone I just can't understand how the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons deny the deity of Christ. Is Hebrews not in their bibles? Do they even read their bibles? We need to pray for those that are so close to the truth, yet so misguided...

The previous post is a sermon I wrote for a bible study I'll be leading in two weeks. Feel free to leave comments, criticism and editing for me. Seriously it is appreciated. (I'm specifically directing this at Jerry Bolton and Steve Bremner, but all are welcome to pick me apart.)

Hey Amber. Listen to some country. Johnny Cash is a friend of mine, is he a friend of yours?

6/15/2005

The Bible

What is the bible? It is a book. What is the purpose of a book? To communicate. It is written language. Language is one of the most important aspects of being human, and it is one of the things that make us fundamentally human.

God values language. We see this in the fact that God created all things through speaking, and we see this in the fact that God gave us the Bible as his main source of communicating with us.

I was in a Catholic bookstore the other day. I saw a There was a book there, and when I saw it I fell to my knees and exclaimed “Oh no!” Now, that may seem melodramatic but I assure you that if you get to know me that kind of behaviour should be expected. The title of the book was “Not Scripture Alone: A Refutation of the Protestant Doctrine of Sola Scriptura.”

For those of you who don’t know, “Sola Scriptura” is Latin for “Only Scripture.” In the 16th century the reformers felt that the Catholic Church had gone too far with all its extra-biblical doctrines, and Martin Luther coined that term to communicate that the bible should be our sole source of doctrine.

Now, I’m not trying to come down hard on our Catholic brothers, but that book frightened me, because historically, whenever anyone moves away from using just the bible for teaching, false doctrine abounds. We see this in all the pseudo-Christian cults of our day such as the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The moment the bible is not seen as our final authoritative doctrinal source, truth is compromised.

Why do we believe Sola Scriptura? Is it because Martin Luther said it? Hopefully not, because that would be more than a little ironic and utterly hypocritical. No, the reason we believe that doctrine is because before that term was even invented, that was the apostles’ teaching: the bible, and only the bible. In fact, Paul wrote 2 Timothy for the explicit purpose of upholding the bible. It was the last thing he wrote before being executed, and his main goal was to make sure Timothy would be focused on the bible, and on preaching it undefiled.

2 Timothy 3:12-17 says:
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Certain things are important to note here. First, Paul says that knowledge of the bible is what led Timothy to Christ. Not cool music, not a flashy youth conference, but the word of God. God literally breathed out the bible. It is his words directly given to us. And what is the bible used for? Teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness (Godliness). Those are all the things we are called to do as believers. Now, if the bible is God’s perfect words to us written in order to facilitate these things, why would we need any extra-biblical authorities? We don’t, and anything outside the bible falls short.

Another passage just as important to this issue, but quoted less often, is 2 Peter 1:16-21:

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

When Peter says “we” in this passage he is referring to the apostles. He notes two specific gospel accounts that he was eyewitness to. First, the Baptism of Christ, in which he directly heard God’s voice, and second, the Transfiguration, in which he and two other apostles caught a glimpse of Christ’s Second Coming glory. Peter’s pretty much saying, “Listen we didn’t follow stupid stories about false gods, but we witnessed the real God in action.”

What follows however, is one of the most shocking statements in the entire bible. Peter says, this time referring to the entire church, “And we have something more sure.” More sure. Peter says that the written word of God is “more sure” than all of his experiences. He says that the Bible is a better witness of God and all his glory than the Transfiguration was. The Transfiguration was a temporary thing viewed by three men. The Bible is available to everyone, forever. Many Christians today, especially in Charismatic circles, value personal experience over biblical doctrine, yet Peter clearly condemns this with his own reliance on the scripture. Also note Peter’s striking teaching on the divine inspiration of scripture. He says that the Holy Spirit himself wrote the scripture, using the human authors as a vessel by which to commit it to paper.

What then is our duty? To read the bible and obey it. But we don’t do that. I’ve heard so many Christians make comments like “The bible is so mysterious, even the most brilliant theologians can’t understand it all,” and “God will speak to different people in different ways, so we can both interpret this passage in a different way and it will be just as relevant each way.” Those are blatant bold-faced lies. I will address each.

First of all, we can understand the bible. The whole bible. Even the hard parts like Revelation, Daniel and Ezekiel. The Psalmist says “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” How could the bible be those things if it cannot be understood? I’ve heard people say that all the parts regarding salvation are clear, but the other parts may not be understandable. What an excuse. In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul says:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

“Rightly handling” is literally translated “cutting it straight.” It is a reference to carpentry. If you don’t cut your wood straight, you foundation will be screwed and your house will fall down. If you don’t read the bible right, then your doctrine will be screwed and you will fall down. Note that Paul doesn’t say “the doctrine parts,” or “the easy parts.” He says the “Word of Truth.” That’s the whole thing. We’re expected to know and interpret the whole bible properly. The Holy Spirit lives inside us. The same Holy Spirit that wrote the bible. Is He not able to help us to understand it as well?

I’m not saying this is easy. Even the most reputable theologians don’t understand the bible completely. But it is not because they can’t, its because they don’t have the time. If you were to spend 1000 years constantly reading the bible you would still only begin to reap the richness of the text. It was written by God himself after all. But to say that the difficult passages are mysterious and impossible to understand is the most pathetic defeatist attitude I could ever imagine.

Now, for the second argument, that differing interpretation of a passage are okay. That is just a product of our pluralist time. What did we begin by saying? The bible is a communication to us from God. God is telling us something, and what he is saying means one thing. To interpret the bible is not to spiritualize it, or to add our own feelings to it. The bible says one thing. Interpretation and preaching is an educated and challenging explanation of what it says.

Listen: If I teach that our salvation is eternally secure and someone else teaches that we can “lose” our salvation, one of us is wrong. The bible is the judge. A thorough reading of Ephesians 1 and Romans 8 will show that our salvation is secure. Therefore, if someone teaches otherwise, they are wrong. 1 Timothy 4:16 says:

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Doctrine is important. Proper doctrine, from the Word of God alone, enables us to know him, and to lead others to a relationship with him. Paul commands Timothy and the conclusion of his Second epistle:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
(2 Timothy 4:1-5 ESV)

So what is the application of this study? I charge you to do the same thing Paul charged Timothy to do. In fact, God himself charges you to do it. God commands that you read his Word, understand his Word, and preach his Word, especially in this time when people do not endure sound doctrine. Of course, you yourself must know sound doctrine to preach it. Therefore, study the bible. I will leave you with Paul’s warning to the Galatians. In it he clearly proclaims the consequences of distorting the gospel:

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we [that is, the apostles], or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
(Galatians 1:6-9 ESV)

6/14/2005

Swimming in a Field

Hmmm... So a lot has happened andd I've not written...

On Thursday I went out for a beer with my Professor afterr class... and he paid! That was cool. We talked about why I became a Christian and that was cool. I never thought that I would actually have the chance to witness to one of my professors. Let alone in a bar drinking beer.

On Friday I went to the official Summer TCF Bible study. Robbie led it, and I must say that God truly spoke through him. I'm certain that Robbie has the gift of prophecy (the preaching kind). Interestingly, Robbie and I tend to finish each other's sentences and know exactly what bible passage is being mentioned next. I am definitely contemplating leading a study with him next year. Actually, I pretty much know that I have to already. But I still don't know about the Junior High Youth group. Perhaps if I could get a co-leader for that as well...

Saturday was work and Bridge. Sarah came and hung out for half the night.

Sunday. Can you say rain? So we were going to have a picnic after Sarah's Dragon Boat practice, but it rained. A lot. Like, all the food got drenched. Not to mention my bible receiving some significant water damage. This, was not all bad. It did give me an excuse to buy the pocket ESV I've wanted for a while.

After this was the nationally televised Celebration 2005 event at Del Crary. It was crazy having Joe Boot preach and Brian Doerksen lead worship in Peterborough. We prayed for the rain to stop. The second the first song started the clouds opened above us and the sun shined... and it continued to rain across the lake. The second the last song was finished it started to rain again, as if God was saying, "This isn't coincidental, I did answer the prayer." I doubted that itr would stop raining. I was surprised when it did. I shouldn't have been. I need to pray with expectation of God's answer.

Monday was a wonderful Food Handling course. Now I'm certified. Sarah and I also got Josh and Tonya's wedding present from us.

Well. Today I have a test and working Midnights. Working Midnights tomorrow too.

Friday I'm leading the Summer TCF study. The topic is the Bible. (Trust me it works). I may post my notes here.

Anyway, gotta go.

6/08/2005

The workforce is drowning.

Listening to: Thursday- For the Workforce, Drowning So I got Thursday's second album Full Collapse on a whim, since Jerry loves them and it was at Chumleigh's for $8.99 Needless to say, I dug it so much I got their third record War All the Time today. From the first 10 seconds of the first song I knew this record would be a jillion times better than the other one. So yeah, rocks on.

I'm a fan of working three hour truck shifts on payday, as I get to do all the other stuff I need to do, like put my cheque in the bank and stuff. Of course, I did not have time to get my hair cut, and I do need to do that.

I like reading the book of Acts. It's awesome reading about all the miracles God performed to inaugurate the church of Christ. It's good to read it in one sitting too, in order to fully see the power of God in action. Read it.

I have the opportunity to start a Junior High Youth Group at my church this coming September. And when I say this I mean a fully funded proper Youth Group, not just all of us getting together, it would be an official church thing. This is something I've wanted to do ever since I joined this church, but I decided that I didn't want to "take over" and that I wouldn't do anything unless I was asked. Well, I was asked. Now I must discern God's will... I want to do this youth Group, but I need to find out if God wants me to do it. Because, without God's blessing in my actions, they will be fruitless. So yeah.

Well, to quote an old radio preacher: "Have a good and Godly day. Because, how good can a day really be if it isn't Godly as well?"

6/06/2005

"Why are you wearing tight pants?"

I was hanging out with my good friend Chris Smith tonight and we walked through the park I ran into some kids from the Bridge. Here's the conversation:

Guy 1: Hey, how's it going? Can you spare some change so I can buy a joint from my friend?
Me: No. (to girl) Hi!
Girl: Why are you wearing...
Me: Pants with ripped knees?
Girl: Yeah, and tight pants.
Me: Cause its so rock and roll.
Girl: You're into that now?
Me: I've always been into that.
Guy 2: Do you smoke the weed?
Me: No. I respect myself.
Guy 2: So, are you saying that if you smoke weed you don't respect yourself?
Me: Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying.
Guy 2: That's not cool, why would it be here if we shouldn't smoke it?
Me: Well, there's a lot of things that are here that we shouldn't do...

It continued like this for a while. One of my favourite parts of being at the bridge is exposing the fallacies in the lives of the teens that go there. Smoking weed is stupid. Getting drunk is stupid. When you do these things, you are being stupid and disrespecting yourself. They don't like hearing this, especially when their subculture focuses on issues of "respect." To accuse someone of having no respect for themself is tantamount to calling them an uncool loser.

Not that I intend to break the kids down... I'm there to show them what respect really is.

And by the way... I really like my tight pants.

6/02/2005

The Smurfs (and other brilliant musings)

Ever notice how there's one girl smurf, one old smurf, and a bunch of lookalike guys? Was Smurfette married to Papa... wouldn't that be gross? Did she give birth to all the rest of them... and if so how did she manage to keep such a nice figure? Oh well.

Just got off work. Yay work.