A People For His Name

I have heard various definitions of "grace". God's Riches At Christ' Expense, etc. I believe this thing (grace) is nearly an indescribable quality, or attribute, of our Creator God. The Father, as a person "is" grace. He defines it! He quantifies the rules of, and qualifies to whom He may present it. It is His sovereign choice. And what blows my mind is the fact that He chose to present this nearly indescribable gift to ALL. And by Scriptural definition "all" seems to refer to just that ....ALL, everyone! The people / nation of Israel were, from the onset, God's chosen people. Romans chapter 11 refers to a remnant of Israel (God's chosen) who can still choose God, despite their rebellious past. He hasn't given up on those who have given up! This same portion of Scripture also refers to Gentiles (anyone NOT of Israel), and God "grafting" them into His ultimate plan of redemption ...for ALL. So, this covers ALL the bases of mankind. WOW!!! He could have stopped with the Israelites, or He could have "permanently" dismissed us to turn, each to his own way (Isaiah 53:6). But, in His "grace", God seems even to use an attribute such as "jealousy" to arouse the Jewish remnant ..simply by taking from among them (Gentiles or non-Jews) a people for His name (Acts 15:14).

I had a professor state once.... "If I am saved, it is all Christ. If I am lost, it is all me." God's sovereign choice has presented saving grace to ALL of us. And unless you ascribe to the theology of irresistible grace (meaning that God simply chooses whom He chooses, and we have no choice in the matter whatsoever) ...we are given the absolute free-will to accept His grace. 

Un-believer, it is my prayer that this manner of grace speaks to you, for want of a regenerate mind and life, and pray the Holy Spirit of God will take up residence in your life ...that, by His grace, you may be compelled to desire His long-suffering mercy, and freely receive His gift of grace. Christ-follower... it is my prayer that this same saving grace produces, in you and I, a sanctifying grace ...to cause us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds ...in absolute surrender to Him; a people for the sake of His name.

^"1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:1-2

Unity in the Body of Christ

I wonder if there has ever been a "forum", of any sort, whereas "Christian" denominations can come together and strategically discuss doctrinal / interpretational differences within Scripture? There sure is plenty of "debate" about it ...but it is quite discombobulated! I've had more than one lost person state.... "you Christians can't even agree on what you believe!" Hard to argue that.

It would be a dream, for me at least, to establish a round-table strategy where we Christ-followers can...

1. line-item the differences in doctrine (teaching) and interpretation (which affects our doctrine / teaching). Generally speaking.... the differences are pretty well "known" within Christian circles. 
2. create a plan to discuss each 
3. create a plan to utilize the best resources available to man to force us to answer our differences one to another; with prayer being the foremost resource, and all things academic, though important, secondly. 

This, instead of remaining in dis-unity.

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift." -Ephesians 4:1-7

Life Is Short

...and if you don't believe life is short ...you're probably still in your twenty-somethings, or younger. Before you even know it, life has crept up on you, and possibly.... passed you. We most commonly relate life with a journey, a road traveled. To that end.... It would seem there are three types of "drivers" in the world...

1. "Cruisers" - those who, effectively, coast through life ...with no real drive, nor vision, for doing better, becoming better, desiring change, etc. ....whether for selfish, or self-less, gain. While the probable absence of selfish-pride is a positive trait ....the lack of drive, or motivation, may give, at least, the perception of apathy. Just a generalization.
2. "Racers" - those who, for mostly self-promoting gain, see life as a goal to be attained, a prize to be won. What can "I" achieve???
3. "Chauffeurs" - those who seem to take a more calm outlook on life. Though time doesn't lengthen for these folks ...the quality "of" the time seems to be paramount. Not just willing that life pass them by without having left a mark, but the mark they leave should count toward a goal which is greater than anything this world has to offer. "Serving" others needs seems to come before their own.

What sort of "driver" are you?

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." -Ps. 90:12

Big Bang Is The Name

I'm going to settle the Big Bang Theory right now. In fact, I'm gonna' blow it completely out of the water...

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." -John 1:1-5

a. Jesus was before any "bang". He IS the bang!! Somebody get me a t-shirt!

b. If "it" was made ...He made it. No one, no thing, no event ....made Him.

c. "Life" stemmed from Him, as a result of Him.

d. Dark did not come first. Light shone in the darkness. Darkness did not, has not, and will not overcome the Light

e. Case closed

Inconclusive! ...you say?? That's totally up to you. Maybe we've totally mis-undestood the evolutionist. Maybe he has simply mistaken "Jesus" for "Big Bang". No doubt ....He has rocked a world.

Thoughts of Kenya....

I honestly don't know why.... but this morning, as I got ready for work, my heart and mind were back in Kenya (..where I haven't been for 2 years now..). I guess it has never left there ...but thoughts come to the surface, more or less, at times. Maybe the recent loss of a friend has me thinking about this, the most equalizing of human characteristics, ....that we all die, and we all have the same basic need(s).

Our house is a wreck from remodeling a "den". I guess the thought occurred to me that... I have a den to remodel. Don't get too fluffy on me. It's not all Nat'l Geographic / Feed The Hungry stuff in Kenya ....though there's no question that the "don't-haves" grossly out-weigh the "do-haves". No question that there is "desperate" need in Kenya; and lots of 'em, in all shapes and sizes. A wise friend said it to me, on this visit to Kenya, "....everybody needs somethin'." I guess the thought also occurred to me that... I'm going to figure out "where" for lunch, even if I try and be humble and frugal ...instead of wondering if there will be lunch at all. I guess the other thought occurred to me..... that regardless of all that, I'm going to choose either to serve the same sovereign God, through faith in Jesus Christ, as one in Kenya who may have absolutely nothing. Both of us will be held to the same standard of Lordship of Jesus. Lots of thoughts. Not all "pity-thoughts" about "us and them", haves or don't haves, but the absolutely stark reminder that... regardless of our economic, social, or worldly status ....we all serve, or reject, the same, One True, God. He is no respector of men, and shows no partiality  ...instead, a lover of all. Only God can do that, and He did it through His Son.