The ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

     "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
        will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
                       - Psalm 91:1 (NIV)

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

         "A man's self is his greatest Cross."
                    - Fancois Fenelon

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"The Cross is God's truth about us, and therefore it is the only
      power which can make us truthful. When we know
         the Cross, we are no longer afraid of the truth."
                           - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Purpose of Life is a Life of Purpose

As a minister I am often ask this question,"What is the purpose of life?" Recently I was asked this question by a fellow traveler on a flight from Wichita to Atlanta. As it often does, the question began to roll around it my head. Then it starts: is this person looking for a short or long answer? Should I answer from a worldly perspective or a spiritual one? Since I don't really know this person well, do I go with a short pass or do I go deep? As I quickly pondered my possible answers a simple yet profound phrase popped into my head, "The purpose of life is a life of purpose." The phrase itself is not met to be a riddle but truly meaningful when given a bit more thought.

Most folks want to know their lives had purpose and were not lived in vain. All of us seek to leave a meaningful mark on the world and people around us. So living a meaningful life, a life of purpose, is important. Yet we have to believe how we define the word purpose will weigh heavily upon our direction in life and the choices we make. We can be purpose driven but without a clear idea of what our purpose is, the drive will be a frustrating and empty one.

 Purpose is often defined by money and or possessions, the idea of materials success. It can be viewed by others as the gain of responsibility or even power, the position we hold in our jobs or society. The definitions or suggestions for a definition are endless. So I decided to be more direct in answering my fellow traveler's question. A life of purpose is knowing God and doing his will, even if it seems uncomfortable, out of step with society's definition of success, or just plain unpopular. The bottom line comes down to who are we really trying to please. As people we are created in the image of the living God, for his glory not our own, in order that we may come to know him, to worship his fully, and to do his will. Not always the easiest life, but a life of meaning and purpose, guaranteed to leave a mark on this world and the people around us.

It is easy for anyone to question life's purpose especially during difficult times. However, since I believe God is truly active in our lives I often remind myself of this by remembering Psalm 25:4-5, "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me,  for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." So the purpose of life is a life of purpose. In the end, the real question is simply who's purpose?

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

All my request are lost in one,
"Father, thy will be done!"
       - Charles Wesley

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Solitude is the furnace of transformation."
               - Henri J. Nouwen

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"He who wants little always has enough."
        - Johann Georg Zimmerman

Things Happen, Really?

How many times have you heard the phrase "things happen"? I believe most of us could say we have heard it often. From family and friends, on television, maybe even from well meaning folks trying to help us through a difficult moment or event in our lives, "things happen." Yet as believers we know that is not the end of the story, there has to be more.

In chapter two of the Book of Ruth, verses 1-3,  we find an example of this. The chapter opens with the writer telling us Naomi had a kinsman on her husband's side of the family, a man of substance named Boaz. The chapter then moves to a conversation with Ruth telling Naomi she would like to go out into the fields and glean for grain, since Ruth and Naomi have no one to support them. Naomi tells Ruth to go, and Ruth sets off. At this point we are not told who the fields belong to. Soon we find Ruth gleaning behind some reapers / harvesters and then we bump into somewhat of a strange phrase. Some versions use the words "she happened" or "as luck would have it" or "as it turned out" she ends up in the part of the field belonging to Boaz. But here we might ask ourselves if the writer of Ruth is making a big theological mistake. Things happen? Really?

As believers we all have been taught that things don't just happen. All things, all events, fall under the sovereignty and the providence of God. To think any other way would be unspiritual at best. Yet, I believe there is more than meets the eye here. I believe the writer is trying to get our attention, so we will look deeper. Ruth's ability to understand these events is limited.  She cannot see, at this moment, how God will use Boaz to work his purpose in her life. Sound familiar? Like Ruth, we are at times limited in our scope of understanding. However, we have the added resource of God's Spirit and his complete word. We can lean on his Spirit, we can read his word, we can compare past events, and we can see his providence at work and how he is able to accomplish his purpose in our lives.

So the questionable phrase "she happened to" that I pointed out above may not be as questionable as we might think. The writer of Ruth is not on shaky theological ground. The phrase is used to drive home a deeper point, even when our understanding is limited, God is still working out his purpose for his people. He has not stopped being our God, even when our understanding of the events around us are limited.

In the end I am reminded of Paul's words to the Romans, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called accruing to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Amen!

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Not only do we know God through Jesus Christ,
   we only know ourselves through Jesus Christ."
                       - Blaise Pascal

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"The opposite of joy is not sorrow. It is unbelief."
                     - Leslie Weatherhead

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

     "God had one Son on earth without sin,
          but never one without suffering."
                  - Saint Augustine

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

            "O Lord that lends me life,
   Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!'
             - William Shakespeare

Early Will I Seek You (Well, That's My Goal)

Early. I am not a fan of the word. Early reminds me of sleep lost and the slow waking hours when I am trying to fight off the demands of the day ahead. Early is not my best time and it is not popular with me; why do things early when mid-morning will do just fine?

Some people like early. My wife has gotten up early everyday for our entire married life. I write this annoying habit off because she grew up in Kansas and some how I associate her growing up with the sun rising, birds chirruping, and someone outside singing "O what a beautiful morning". Early works for her, not for me. However, what about spending time with God? The Scriptures are full of people who started their day early-, with God. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, and as we all know, Jesus. Well, I tell myself theses were exceptional people who were called by God. The I remember we are all called by God and there goes my excuse.

So let me take another look at this early thing. With remarkable frequency the Scriptures remind us that many called by God rose early to spend time with him. It seems they did this so they would not be burdened by the cares of the day. Instead they could start their day focused on the one who gives each day as a gift. These people would rise early (there is that word again), and put aside all worry, all impurity, all of their anxieties and distractions and spend time with the only one capable of setting them free. In God's presence they would refit their minds and refocus their hearts on the one true living God. They would use this time to remind themselves that their first thoughts and their first words belong to the giver of life and sustainer of all things. In the early hours the day would begin, not as a burden, but as a blessing.

This early thing has been an on-going learning experience for me, demonstrated by my wife on a daily basis. I see her, not trying to fit God into her busy day, but building her day around him, and I am humbled by her example. Yes I admit that when I see this my first thoughts are usually selfish ones and I thank God for placing her in my life. Then I move to wanting to mirror her desire to spend time with God and practice seeking him early, well maybe not as early as she does, but early. Over the course of time I have found that it works. Psalm 5:3 says, "In the morning, O Lord. you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my request before you. and wait in expectation." 


"In the morning" which I guess means early morning. I must admit, I am still not a fan of the word early, but I am learning that it has its place. So tomorrow give early a chance and give yourself a chance to refit you mind on the wonders of our God and refocus your hearts on his amazing love, you maybe surprised with the results.

RefRev

Show Me Your Glory

I must admit I often struggle to understand the world we live in. One of the first things I do in the morning is peruse the internet, checking out the news of the day. More often than not it is filled with stories of senseless violence, corruption, loss, and moral decay, not always a great way to start the day. I find myself asking God, "What is going on, Lord where can your presence be found in such a world as this?"

Psalm 72:19 says this, "Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen." The Scriptures remind me the glory of God is always present, even in a hurting and dysfunctional world. God has not abandoned or forgotten his people and continues to fill this world, his creation, with his glory. From the birth of a child, the joy of salvation, to the setting of the sun, God reminds us of his glory. One day, his glory will completely fill this world and there will be no questions, no longing for his presence.

Often during dark moments when I struggle to understand the actions of people or the events of the moment that seem so far away from what God intended, I listen to music. One song I enjoy and often use to help me focus is Show Me Your Glory by the Christian band Third Day.  My favorite line says, "Show me your glory, send down your presence, I want to see your face." Yes, there are difficult days in this life, times when we as God's people struggle to understand but the glory of God is always present. The day is coming when it will be all consuming and we will never have to ask to be shown a glimpse, for we will stand in its midst. But until that day comes, my prayer remains, "show me your glory, send down your presence, I want to see your face." Amen!

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

 " If you pray for another, you will help yourself."
                     - Jewish Proverb

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"I used to ask God to help me.  Then I asked if I might help him.
 I ended up by asking him to do his work through me."
                      - James Hudson Taylor

Glory Above the Heavens

By Irene Herring (Mrs. ReformedRev)

Ever since I can remember, I have gotten up early to watch the sun rise.  When I was growing up, I spent summers at my grandparents', who lived in eastern Kansas on a hill and land that stretched out and looked over the Kansas River.  Eastern Kansas is not flat, and the view was split by a tree break that dipped to the south and a century old walnut tree that stood starkly in the middle of a hay field.  In the summer, wind stirred through ripening wheat, meadowlarks called as the sun began to peak over the horizon.  Sometimes deer would wander to the pond below their house. The colors of orange, gold, salmon and aqua that filled the horizon, even if for a short time, were the brush strokes of a painting created by the Almighty.  There was something of peace and hope watching that pastoral scene unfold.

Every day that I watch the sun rise, I know that I have another day.  Another day to praise God and rest in HIS hope.

In Psalm 113:3-4, the writer says this:


From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, 

   the name of the LORD is to be praised.

 ⁴ The LORD is exalted over all the nations,
   his glory above the heavens. 

One version reads that the LORD is brighter than anything in the heavens, even the sun!   My prayer for you today, dear reader is that you may find hope in the rising of the sun and that the praise of our God will be on your lips.  May He give you a sunrise to watch and a personal beauty that gives the knowledge of the One who cares personally and intimately about you.

RefRev

ReformedRev's View of the Christian Faith

As a Reformed believer I hold this view; the final authority for my faith is the Bible--known as the Holy Scriptures, the Word of God.  As the Apostle Paul shares in 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”

As a Reformed believer I believe that God is three in one--God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. These persons of the trinity are one in essence, essential in nature, in purpose, and in agreement. In other words God is only one being, not three. There is only one God! Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

As a Reformed believer I hold a Reformed perspective regarding the work of Jesus Christ, seeing it as the centered of our understanding of the love and justice of God toward us. It is here we experience his atoning work, see John 3:16 and Romans 3:25. Through his death Christ died as a sacrifice for our sins. He died as a propitiation, to remove from us the wrath of God. In his death he reconciled us with God and redeemed us out of the bondage of sin.

As a Reformed believer I believe we are saved by the irresistible grace of God through faith alone, not by what we think or do to earn God's favor, see Ephesians 2: 1-10. Our good works don't earn our salvation, but are a way to thank God for this free gift of salvation.

As a Reformed believer I believe in the Reformed tradition of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper. They remind us of God's promises and help us to claim those promises as our own. These sacraments are an outward sign of an inward act in the life of the believer.

As a Reformed believer I am confessional, which means I believe we have statements of belief, called creeds and confessions. These statements help to guide our understanding of faith and shape its practice.

As a Reformed believer I see the church as "Reformed and always reforming," seeking to know the mind of Christ as it strives to be faithful in a changing, complex, and often troubled world. The church must also be communal. “Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer.       

As a Reformed believer I believe worship is corporate. Worship is not a performance with the minister as actor or actress and the congregation as the audience. God is the audience and the whole congregation is involved in the service, in prayers, songs, and offerings.

As a Reformed believer I believe worship is liturgical. The word "liturgy" means "the work of the people." Reformed worship is liturgical in the sense that our worship involves the whole people of God in the activity of worship. While traditions and styles may vary by congregation, worship is still the work of the people of God.

         As a Reformed believer I believe worship is sacramental. When we celebrate the sacraments in worship we are reminded of God’s love, his righteousness, his promises, and our faith is awakened and renewed.

RefRev

A Statement of Faith (ReformedRev)

I believe that God created the world and everything in it, including human beings, see Genesis 1:1-27. God created a perfect world. In the beginning, there was no sin--no hatred, and no death. But God also allowed humans to make their own choices.

The first humans, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God, allowing sin to enter God's perfect world. From then on, every human has been born with sinful desires that lead to separation from God; see Genesis 2 and Romans 5:12-17. However, I believe God loves his creation and the people in it. Because of his love he made a plan to take away our sin and resolve the conflict between himself and his creation, see John 3:16.

God sent his son, Jesus, into the world, fully human and fully divine. Jesus gave his life to pay the price for our sins, sins he didn't commit. Jesus accepted the punishment for our sins so that we don't have to. Three days after Jesus was crucified, God raised Jesus from the dead and brought him to life again, defeating the power of sin and death. Jesus lives today, eternally in heaven with God the Father. One day he will physically return to earth to put an end to sin, death, and pain--and renew all things. He will gather all who have believed in him from every time and place to live with him forever.

I believe our faith is founded in our understanding of God's love for us, demonstrated in the birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, return of Jesus Christ, his son.

When we accept Jesus' sacrifice for us and commit our lives to following him, God sees us as if we had never sinned, perfect, the way we were first created to be. We cannot manufacture such faith on our own; it is the result of God's Spirit working within us.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

 "As heat is opposed to cold, and light to darkness,
               so grace is opposed to sin."
              - Thomas Benton Brooks

Thou my best thought ...

What are you thinking? How many times have you been asked this question? On any given day my wife will ask me this at lease once ; often one of my daughters will, too. It seems to be a universal question we are all presented by the people around us. However, the real question might be: do you really want to know what I am thinking? Or maybe, is it safe fore me to tell you want I am thinking? It's no secret we all have thoughts we do not want to share with others.

Often during my day I ponder good thoughts of family, friends, events, places I have visited. However, what about my best thought, how often do I focus on it? In my favorite hymn these words are found, "Thou my best thought by day and by night ...". Many thoughts can fill my head but it is when I think of my Savior I find my greatest comfort. Christ who willingly gave himself for me, who died for my sins and made available the grace and mercy of God to me, this is my best thought. On this thought I will meditate and find peace during my busiest days and most restless nights. It is when I lose myself in the anxieties of the day, when I lose my focus on my best thought, it is then that I struggle to find sanity in a very confusing world.

The Psalmist says this: By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is within me - a prayer to the God of my life." Psalm 42:2  So may I never forget my best thought, may I never fail to focus on all he has brought into my life, the difficult as well as the easy.  Day or Night, may I continue to acknowledge his love with awe and thankfulness and never fail to hear his song within me. 

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

      "To be another than I am, I must abandon that I am."
                         - Saint John Chrysostom

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

      " Reason's last step is the recognition that there are an
             infinite number of things that are beyond it."
                              - Blaise Pascal

"... Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art."

"... Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art." Every time I read or sing these words I am reminded how nothing else matters outside my relationship with God because God is God ; he can be nothing more or nothing less. There is great comfort and security in this. I do not need God and something more to be complete nor do I need God and something less to understand my relationship with him. He is the great I AM of scripture, this is reality! He is God and everything else is less in comparison. He is I AM, now and forever, nothing can change this fact.

In his close encounter with God, Moses asked God what name he should use if the Israelites asked God's name.  We find this response in Exodus 3:14: God said to Moses, "I AM who I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you."  Nothing more, nothing less needed to be said. So let us all encourage each other to live everyday knowing we are in the presence of I AM. Let us live each day fully and with a sense of wonder, for the great I AM has revealed himself to us. As we acknowledge this, life becomes more than holy, it becomes a constant series of holy and wondrous moments that will culminate in a whole life. "...naught be all else to me, save that Thou art." Amen!

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Mercy imitates God and disappoints Satan."

                - Saint John Chrysostom

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

       "It is vanity to wish for a long life and
               care little for a good life."
                - Thomas A Kempis

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou My Vision is my favorite hymn. It is an old Irish Celtic poem which was set to music. When I hear the opening words, Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart ... I think of my place in this world and how my faith as a Christian must also have a presence.


As a believer in Jesus Christ I am not asked to remove myself from involvement in the world around me. I have a physical presence in this world, with all its brokenness, but so does Christ through me. However, the vision I seek is that of Christ. He sees the brokenness in the world and in me. He understands how my vision of this world can become overwhelming and can sadden even the most resilient heart. Yet, the hymn calls for me to focus my vision on the spiritual reality of Jesus. His is the true and lasting vision of what is now and what is to come. 


O Lord of My Heart ... Here is the filter that brings forth a true picture of my place and presence in this world. As Christ dwells in me, my heart, who I am in the depths my of soul is shaped and formed by his presence. Here is where I find understanding of my place and position in the world around me. My place is with him and because of this, my faith has a lasting position and influence on this world and all who inhabit it.


Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart ... My prayer today is that I may never forget these words, that I will always remember I am in the world but not of the world because my heart belongs to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

        "One of the best ways to demonstrate
              God's love is to listen to people."
                       - Bruce Larsen

Listen, Ponder, Speak

There is a a Kurdish proverb I repeat to myself in times of frustration, "Listen a hundred times; ponder a thousand times; speak once." It is very good advice that can be very hard to follow. We all want to be heard, we all want our opinions to be respected. But how important is it to listener and think before we speak?

Listen a hundred times, if I did that how much more successful would I be in my relationships with others? Ponder a thousand times, if I did that how much more would I be able to understand those around me? While these are great questions it is the last part of the proverb that strikes home for me: speak once!

Wow, sometimes I wonder if that is even possible. Speak once, what if I am angry or my feelings have been hurt? What is the other person is rude or won't stop talking? What if I am right and I know the other person is wrong. What if Oprah calls and asks me how I feel about the royal wedding? Speak once?

Too often I have engaged my tongue before my ears and mind have caught up, and I have paid for my folly. I have hurt others, caused misunderstandings, made folks angry or just been written off as rude and self-centered. Speak once, after thinking, after listening.

In the New Testament James says something very similar which I also repeat to myself often, "My dear brothers, take note of this; Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for a man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:19-20

There it is again, quick to listen, slow to speak. Then James drives it home by pointing out that this will help us avoid anger and warns us that anger will not bring about the righteous life God desires. So when I work through all of this I come away with a proverb of my own:

Rev, be quick to listen, think about what is being said and keep it in context. Then respond in a concise manner, not out of anger, but in a way that honors God and the thoughts and feelings of others.

Now I believe that advice has success written all over it. Time will tell, I'll keep you posted.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Little faith will bring your soul to heaven;
  great faith will bring heaven to your soul."
          - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

         " Prayer is the highest use to which
                   speech can be put."
                      - P.T. Forsyth

"The Enemy Will Not Meantime Be Idle."

"But of course the Enemy will not meantime be idle." So says the senior demon Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood referring to God and prayer. In his book, The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis shares the imaginative correspondences between these two demons, regarding how the junior tempter Wormwood, might lead his human astray.

Screwtape goes on to warn Wormwood, "Whenever there is prayer there is danger of His own immediate action." What a great point of instruction, even from a demon. Prayer moves God to act on behalf of his people. I believe God always responds to our prayers, always answers. I remind myself the answer might come in the form of immediate action, a delayed response, or even no, but there is always an answer.

Screwtape continues and reveals an even greater truth, "He is cynically indifferent to the dignity of His position, and ours, as pure spirits, and to human animals on their knees He pours out self-knowledge in a quite shameless fashion." The one true, all knowing and all powerful God, through prayer, interacts with his people with absolute abandon. God uses prayer to engage his people and share with them knowledge of Himself. He does so without contempt for their status as created beings.

In these lines Screwtape has shared with Wormwood his insight regarding the power of prayer but also his true lack of insight regarding is enemy, God. Yes, God is powerful and capable of immediate response to the prayers of his people but he is motivated to do so out of his concern for them. His love, his grace, and his mercy are the key components that bring about his response and here is where Screwtape's understanding fails.

So today let us find comfort and take hope in this: "Whenever there is prayer, there is danger of His own immediate action." God is never far from those who pray and he is never idle.  He longs to pour out knowledge of himself to his people.

RefRev

Thinking About Prayer

Today is set aside for a national day of prayer. A time for we the people to collectively recognize God in all his power and glory. To praise him and thank him for the many blessings he has poured out on this nation and its people. Truly, a day of reflection and thankfulness.

So today is also the day I would have to run into the one person who has to be the voice of reason, so they think. The one who wants to ask the "big" theological question, designed to rain on my day of celebration.

"If God is in charge and all knowing, why would he ever consider changing his mind because of prayer?"

At this point I am thinking "Really!" Why do you feel the need to ask me this question today? Then I realize it is a good question, even if it was asked with questionable intent. So I ask myself if this is a sign of confusion or weakness on God's part? The word no comes quickly to mind. The fact that an all powerful and gracious God alters his intentions due to the prayers of his people is not a sign of confusion or weakness. On the contrary, it is a sign of his omnipotence. When he chooses to yield to the petitions of his people, he shows his greatness.

The fact that God answers prayer shows that he is God. That he is engaged in the lives of his people and he listens to them. God, out of his grace, compels us to pray, to cry out in times of praise and in times of need. He responds because he hears our prayer, because he is God.  So let us all be thankful and share the words of Psalmist:

" Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for you, O Lord, I lift up my soul." Psalm 86:1-4 Amen!

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No
  Christian community is more or less than this. Whether it be a brief, single
  encounter or the daily fellowship of years, Christian community is only this.
         We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ."
                                  - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

   "First keep the peace within yourself, then
       you can also bring peace to others."
               - Thomas A Kempis

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

    "Come, Holy Ghost, for moved by thee
          The prophets wrote and spoke;
         Unlock the truth, thyself the key,
             Unseal the sacred book."
                    - John Calvin

Powerful Words

One of my favorite books is The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan. I love the story with all its wonderful characters, the good ones and even the not so good ones. When I read it, I am always amazed at how it captures my thoughts.

Early in the story there is a discussion between Christian and two of his neighbors, Obstinate and Pliable. Christian is trying to convince Pliable to accompany him on his journey. Obstinate seeks a different out come; he is trying to get Pliable to return with him to the City of Destruction, the home town of all three.

As the story continues, Christian and Obstinate are in a verbal tug-of-war, in a sense, for the soul of Pliable. It is here Christian delivers a very powerful statement. As he is speaking to Pliable Christian says, "Come with me neighbor Pliable, there are such things to be had which I have spoke of, and many more glories besides. If you believe not me, read here in this book; and for the truth of what is expressed therein, behold, all is confirmed by the blood of him that made it."

Wow! Here friend you can read it for yourself in the Bible. And by the way, all that is expressed here is confirmed, guaranteed, by the sacrifice and shedding of the blood of the Author. He believed in the story so much he gave His life for it, and for those who would read it and believe.

Powerful words from a truly powerful story. I often think of those words "behold, all is confirmed by the blood of Him that made it." So as I go about my day, I will think of Christian's words to Pliable and I will apply them to myself. Relax Rev, all is confirmed by the blood of Him that made it. For I have read the book that Christian references and I know how both stories end. Amen!

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Holiness is not the end of progress,
 but deliverance from standing still."
        - G. Campbell Morgan

I Like to Read!

I like to read! Really! It is one of the things I truly enjoy doing. I especially like biographies, life accounts, inspiring stories of men and women who succeed at overcoming great difficulties in their lives. I have read accounts of all types, from Luther to Lindbergh, Eisenhower to Einstein, Grant to Gandhi.

However, my favorite life account is found in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus never wrote a book, gave press interviews, formed an Army, or gave leadership seminars. He did not go on the late night talk show circuit or seek out a nitch audience for his info-commercial . What he did do was gather a small group of people together and inspired them with a unique message. A message that spoke of a better way to live their lives, a message of acceptance, forgiveness, community, and hope.

Today we are still sharing his message, it calls us to draw close to him, for the kingdom of God is near.

"The time has come," he said, "The kingdom of God is near. 
      Repent and believe the good new!  Mark 1:15 (NIV)

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"True faith is never found alone; it is
      accompanied by expectation."
                 - C.S. Lewis

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"No man can break any of the Ten Commandments.
        He can only break himself against them."
                      - G.K. Chesterton

Something To Think About

What is the sum of the ten commandments?

a. The sum of the ten commandments is, To love the Lord our God with all our hearts, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves.

Question 42 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which is
    seemingly worthless and the infinite worthlessness
              of that which is seemingly valued."
                      - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Friends

I have often heard the Christian life described as a pilgrimage. At times it can be difficult and we who walk it may feel lonely. We may battle with discouragement and even consider abandoning the adventure, giving up the journey. It is at these times God brings friends into our lives to walk alongside us. Friendship is one of God’s greatest gifts and having a friend who encourages us and challenges us to continue the journey is a blessing.

The Scriptures often refers to a friend as one who encourages us to be all that God calls us to be and who challenges us to be more than we think we can, a person who knows who we really are and loves us anyway. The mark of a friend in the biblical sense is one who draws us closer to God, someone who “sharpens” us and motivates us to do what is right, even if it appears difficult or unpopular.

True friends tell you the truth, even when you do not want to hear it, and they do this with love, always having your best interest at heart. A true friend does not seek to wound but will not accept actions or behavior that may not be in your best interest. Their primary concern is your growth as a believer in Jesus Christ. My wife Irene is the ultimate example of this type of friend in my life.

With all this in mind it is easy to see why we must be careful in our choice of close friends. We all have friends at different levels of life. However, when we read the Scriptures we see that Jesus chose his closest friends with great care. He did not seek out the most popular, the wealthiest or even the folks who were considered perfect by others. He chose those whose hearts were set of following God.

I am of Welsh decent and there is an old Welsh saying I like to share: “When you run with the wolves, you learn how to howl.” Another way of saying this might simply be: we will act and behave like the friends we keep. Yes, friends are important, but so are the types of friends we keep. We are all influenced daily in a positive or negative way by those closest to us.

It is also very important to examine what kind of friend you are to others. Are you a positive encouragement, motivating others to move closer to God and seeking to do their best for him? Do you challenge others to grow in their faith? Are you one who sharpens those around you? These are questions we must honestly ask ourselves on a regular basis if we are to be the type of friend others seek out.

As a friend we must always try to place the needs of others above our own and love at all times, always remembering to love people for who they are, not just for what needs they meet in us or what status they bring to the relationship.

Remember as we continue this pilgrimage we like to call the Christian life, we must seek out godly friends and want to be one ourselves. We must be receptive to the way God uses all of us along the journey, committed to the entire adventure, not just the parts we enjoy the most or those which are comfortable or convenient for us at the time.

Finally we must strive to be the kind of friend who reflects God’s character in every relationship and seek others of like mindedness. In the end we will all be able to identify with Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

RefRev

My Soul Is Too Small

Saint Augustine of Hippo is said to have prayed, "My soul is too small to accommodate you. Enlarge it."

Too small! I have often found myself thinking along those lines.  I have allowed too many distractions to clutter my soul and decrease the space I once reserved for God. At times I have ignored the needs of those around me.  I have allowed my own selfishness to infringe on the time I have supposedly set aside for prayer. I have pushed aside my study of the Scriptures to focus on what I perceive as more important needs of the moment. I have chosen to busy myself with the demands of the day instead of taking the time to quiet myself and listen to my God.

Is it any wonder my soul, like Augustine's, feels too small? Is it a surprise there is competition for space?

So today I will do my part, I will de-clutter, I will set aside time for prayer and study. I will quiet myself and listen. Today my prayer is short and simple; Dear God, enlarge my soul, fill it with more of you and less of me. Amen!

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

             "Prayer is the pulse of life."
                   - Andrew Murray

Life Is Warfare

The Roman Philosopher Seneca once remarked "life is warfare," and I guess in many ways he was right. We might ease the pronouncement a bit and say life is a struggle but the ideas are similar. As I arose this Easter morning my thoughts turned to Jesus and the cross and the warfare / struggle that surrounded what was the greatest event in human history.

We know that Jesus prayed that this cup (the pain, the warfare, the struggle) might be taken from Him but in the end it would not be and God's will would be completed. I always ask myself the same question; could God's triumph come in another way? But the answer is always no. In order to save us from our sin Jesus had to taste the fullness of sin. Misunderstanding, betrayal, desertion of friends, weakness, callousness, deliberate cruelty, excruciating pain, and death itself in order to finally prove that evil is no match for the Father.

When Jesus was seized in the garden, two of life's conflicting philosophical methods surfaced in the  warfare / struggle of the moment. Peter's method was the sword; Jesus's method was a cross. Peter sought revenge; Jesus sought reconciliation. These methods remind us of the continuing conflict, the warfare / struggle, that Christians face daily. However, as believers we are called to reject the reactive, short-term response of Peter and daily revive the reconciliation of Jesus.

Yes, Seneca might have been right "life is warfare," but he did not have all the facts. The warfare we face is not of flesh and blood and not of this world. It is the struggle that rages within us, where sin continues to battle for control. Yet, because of Christ and the cross, sin's warfare and our struggle already have a decided end and can be summed up in three words:

"He is risen!"

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Tomb thou shalt not hold him longer;
    Death is strong, but life is stronger,
     Stronger than the dark, the light;
    Stronger than the wrong, the right;
      Faith and hope triumphant say,
       Christ will rise on Easter Day."
                - Phillips Brooks

A Good Friday Prayer

Lord, it's Friday and I am thankful.  As You know, Friday is always a good day for me.  It's the end of the work week and the beginning of the weekend.  I can come home and relax, read, watch the Cubs, go to a movie with my wife or my daughter.  Bottom line, I like Fridays!

However, today is Good Friday, and I have to admit it is a day that makes me think a bit too much.  Yes, I think about my Savior's sacrifice on the cross for me.  About the resurrection and how His willing sacrifice has forever changed my life.  But Lord, hear me out.  I also think about my life as a Christian and this is where it gets complicated.

I admit I have struggled.  At times I get angry and my feelings get hurt.  I know that I have been selfish and unfair with others, yelled at my children, talked about my neighbor, and held contempt in my heart.  And yes I have acted immaturely and allowed my frustrations to get the best of me.  I admit I have sneaked cookies that my daughters have baked and told them it was their mom.  I even tossed my running shoes at the cat for being annoying (I missed but I guess that does not excuse the behavior).

So today as I head out into the world to do the task you have set before me, please know that I still think Fridays are good and this one tops them all.  For today I am reminded that I am a great sinner but I have been saved by an even Greater God who sacrificed His greatest love for me.

Amen.

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Grace is but glory begun and glory is but grace perfected."
                               - Jonathan Edwards

Our Tireless God

Tired! There is no other way I can express my current state. Some days just make me tired, people often make me tired, driving can make me tired, meetings really make me tired, waiting in line surely makes me tired. Well you get the point ; today I am tired. Often when I feel like this, my wife tells me to go to the gym, to work it off, and that's what I did today. After an hour of sweating and pushing myself along, you guessed it: I was even more tired. So as I left the gym, I thought maybe a hot bath, a cold glass of iced tea, a movie to watch, or an early trip to bed would help me change my condition.

As climbed into my car pondering my options for the evening, a verse ran through my tired head: "He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber." Psalm 121:3 (NIV). God never slumbers; he continues his work for me and in me. My life is his work and he works with tireless and loving abandonment.  He is even up all night for me ; he never sleeps. When my kids were small, I may have stayed up a few hours at night to help out my wonderful wife but never sleeping was not in my plans. I knew at some point I would have to catch some z's or be one tired and crabby father. So I find it even more amazing that my heavenly father never slumbers but continues to watch over me. Twenty-four-seven, he is never off the clock.

So tonight as I complain to my wife about being tired, maybe I won't be as whiney or so self-centered. For I am reminded in the Scriptures that the one, true, living God, watches over me, and he does not slumber. Like the perfect father he is, my life is his work and he works with tireless abandonment, loving me, caring for me, his child.

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

" Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change;
     and where we are right, make us easy to live with."
                         - Rev. Peter Marshall

Something to Think About

But who is this mediator who is simultaneously true to God and a true and righteous human being?


a. Our Lord Jesus Christ who is freely given to us for total redemption and righteousness.

Question eighteen of the Heidelberg Catechism

The ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

      "Nothing in the life of a Christian is more
                  fatal than indifference.
                   -The ReformedRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

    "God always gives his best to those who
                 leave the choice to him."
                       - Jim Elliot

ReformedRev's Thoughts on the Church

‎" The world we live in needs the Church to take a courageous stand in its words, its works, and its willingness to stand firm in its beliefs. I hope the Church continues to speak with clarity and courage, consistently avoiding the temptation to water down the gospel in order to court favor and secure the title of being culturally relevant to a culture of disbelief. "  The ReformedRev

Something to Think About

What is faith in Jesus Christ?

a. Faith in Jesus Christ is saving grace whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.

Question 86 of The Westminster Shorter Catechism

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Encouragement is oxygen to the soul."
          - George Matthew Adams

Something to Think About

Why did Christ have to suffer death?


a. Because the righteousness and truth of God require that nothing but the death of the Son of God could make satisfaction for our sins.

Question 40 of The Heidelberg Catechism

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

               Let Me So Eye Thee
  Oh let me so eye thee till I turn into thee
And look upon me till Thou art found in me
  That I may be a mirror of thy brightness,
          An habitation of thy love
         And a temple of thy glory.
              -Thomas Traherne

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Success in life is measured not by our number of
               accomplishments but by our
                    number of friends."
                 - The ReformedRev

The ReformedRev's Ten B's (For Becoming a Leader)

1. Be respectful of others.
2. Be a builder and maintainer of trust.
3. Be available and be seen.
4. Be constant, concise, and clear in your communication.
5. Be the one who requires excellence, in yourself and in others.
6. Be prepared to take responsibility and share the risk of failure.
7. Be willing to give credit to others.
8. Be motivated; set the pace.
9. Be willing to confront others when necessary.
10. Be the one who goes the extra mile.

The ReformedRev's Suggestions For Dealing With Conflict (Things to Remember)

• The cause of conflict is usually internal, not external (and so is God's solution).
• The crisis at hand is usually not the problem but symptomatic of a deeper issue.
• Resolution requires seeing the underlying structures of conflict and learning new ways to trust God through the process of seeking consensus.
• Work to keep communication open and civil at all times.
• Choose your opening actions and words carefully.
• Don't fall into the trap of blaming others.
• Think in whole, not in parts.
• Focus on the problem not just the people who disagree with you.
• Seek God's guidance at the onset of the conflict, not after feelings have been hurt.
• Remember, a leader does not know all the answers, nor is he or she the solution (God does and is).

The ReformedRev's Philosophy of Ministry (Ten Points)

1. The ultimate purpose of ministry is to glorify God.
2. The most complete model for ministry is Jesus Christ.
3. The empowerment for ministry comes from the Holy Spirit.
4. Long term ministry is built upon and promotes change.
5. Effective ministry is by its very nature relational.
6. Ministry should always be motivated by love.
7. Real ministry requires sacrifice.
8. Successful ministry is based upon consensus.
9. Leadership and authority are earned through spiritual growth, maturity and submission.
10. Prayer is the foundation of ministry.