Archive for March 2010

DailyTheocentrism: “So they will know that I AM the LORD”-in one statement both grace and judgement from God, depending on who it befalls.

This theme of the Book of Ezekiel has the same two-fold significance that any presentation of the Lord has – a judgment for those who do not know Him and more grace for those who do. The issue here is how one is related to Him. This is not a club, but an intimacy. We are not above others, but connected to Him who is above all. This is where the so-called “non-Lordship” guys really miss it – even those being judged know that He is the LORD.

What it means to be held

This song was born out of dealing with the messiness of life and the results of a sin-wrecked world. He will never leave us – those who know Him through His Son – but, what comfort is there for those who do not?

May we weep for humanity and call with loud voices to the strong and able hand of the Good Shepherd.

DailyTheocentrisms:Two great Twitter posts on some implications of Christ’s work

Because Christians find refuge, not in what we can do, but in what Christ has done, we don’t need to save face; we r free to admit r faults

Because Christians locate their identity in Christ’s achievement & not our own, we can admit our weaknesses freely without feeling deflated

Wow . . . Randy Alcorn on whether or not our pets will be in Heaven:

I’m not sure if he’s trying to refer to Heaven or the Millennial Kingdom – but, wow . . .

Yeah, I checked Isaiah 60 as well – hhmmm. I suppose all of the camels will be coming from Midian and Ephah; from Sheba as well. I suppose the “You will also suck the milk of nations and suck the breast of Kings” is literal too.

Alcorn’s Heaven, not a book I am running out to buy anytime soon.

At least Greg Laurie doesn’t make it all about himself . . .

Randy Alcorn on pets in heaven

I am not quite sure why I am taking up space with this post, except for the fact that I have heard this A LOT and it is this kind of “over-systematizing” systematic theology that has created a massive catalog of doctrines that crowd out the point. The video could be any number of things, I suppose.

Question about Prayer and Sovereignty

I will “seed” this open guitar case [Please see AskRob at the top and/or right and hover your pointer over the the button/link to see what that category is for] with a few bucks here by uploading some question dialogs that I have had as of late with some mates from the class I teach. Here is one:

Howdy Rob,

Thanks for sending the extra notes, I’ve been slowing reading through them and it’s been great!  These came at a perfect time because I’ve been wanting something new to read/study in the morning and this has been very structured & challenging which I like.

As for my questions, I hope I can word them in a way that makes sense.  Also, if you’ve already answered them in class, I apologize, sometimes when I’m taking in a lot of new info, I don’t absorb everything right away. So here goes…(oh and please no rush on these, I realize you are very busy!)

(1) After learning about the attributes of God, I felt confused about the purpose of prayer, or whether it is ok to pray for things (like for someone who is sick, or for help with finances, etc).  To clarify, what I mean: Is the purpose of prayer to help open our eyes to the path God has laid out for us and open our hearts to align to His will as opposed for asking for things to change?  I know it is always good to praise/thank God, and I often pray that He would guide my steps & show me what is true because I want to do what is right.  Or if I am angry I tell God about it and ask for help to process it correctly, or if I really want something (want not need), I might mention it in prayer and then pray that God would show me what He wants in that area and change my heart to match His.

But for example this week, [my daughter] is sick for the first time (horrible!!!) & I have been praying for peaceful sleep for her & quick healing.  I don’t know how to explain my question about this type of prayer, but basically I’m wondering if this is the right way to pray about the situation and if not, what is?  Is it ever ok to ask specifically for something that is wanted (like her getting well or for us to be able to afford for me to continue to stay home)?  And if not, how do we pray about these kinds of things?  Likewise, I am not even sure about praying for someones salvation in light of election. Which leads to my next question. Read the rest of this entry »