My, a Joyful, Reformed Baptist's (mostly) humble thoughts and meditations So teach us to number our days
on everyday's insignificance compared to ETERNITY…
that we may get a heart of wisdom. -- Psalm 90:12
Monday, May 05, 2014
'Sorry' does not cut it, but it is the only thing I can say
This does not make me a person who is totally lost and bad.
My strong political views are based on the Christian values, and that is why I am very, very regretful.
Now, take the first stone, you who are without guilt.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
We start again.
Does it intimidate you sometimes? Like when you have a deadline and nothing to write about. Or when your boss is expecting something profound, and the only thing you want to muse about is the behaviour of your cats ;)
Around this time in 2006 I got saved.
Seven years ago. a tiny drop in the time continuum of eternity. For me, the seven most formative years of my life. Of denying myself and taking up His Cross. Of putting up with loss of friends, with people's quiet disapproval and with tiny signs behind my back.
And the REWARD. Beyond understanding, above anything else. And the answered prayers.
And the crises. Moving to another town, church. Depressions. All that which life brings on its rich plate.
LOVE. PATIENCE. HOPE.
Friday, June 07, 2013
Sveriges Nationaldag - en viktig angelägenhet
Herman
Lindqvist
Thursday, October 04, 2012
Praying for the Sproul family
Start watching at 14 minutes mark. And keep in mind that this loving mother died last December, in cancer, and Shannon died this week, leaving them all in grief.
Saturday, September 08, 2012
The aftermath of a move
We moved. Slowly, painstakingly, sometimes against our own lazy selves, we made the decision and put it into action. Had it only been a moving of stuff, enough in itself to drive a family crazy, we would have thought it fun and exciting. Do not misunderstand me: the whole physical process started in March and is ALMOST over. Which of course does not mean that all rooms in the present house are perfectly furnished and ordered :)
But the most tearing part of a move is THE CHANGE. You know what you have, and you expect to have it better in the new place, but the very thought of change is oh so terrifying!
I had to let go of people and places. I had to let go of my nice job. But most of all, I had to let go of my stubborn idea of "doing it all by myself". It worked to a certain point. And then it stopped working, because I needed to learn who is in control.
Having been a control freak all my life, letting go and letting God was not easy. Yet, looking at it now, in due perspective, I regret not understanding it earlier. Because, you see, that is the only way.
The situation now? A happy, harmonious (normal ;) ) family, kids enjoying their new school, both parents enjoying their new full-time employments. That's about the material status.
The more important status is the spiritual one, with the glorious realisation that I can cast all my burdens onto Him, that my faith needed testing and the fire of purification, and that I am nothing without Him.
To God be the Glory forever and ever.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You
With wonder and awe these words of the Apostle touch my soul in a powerful way every time I read them. May they always have the same undiminished power and bring conviction in my life.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Blogging again? Who knows...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
He is Risen!
On which the Prince of glory died,
My riches gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my Lord;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
3. See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Mówienie w co wierzysz jest bardziej zrozumiałe, niż powiedzieć "kalwinista"
Innymi słowy, jesteśmy kalwinistami. Ale używanie teologicznej łatki, nie jest tak przydatne jak mówienie ludziom w co wierzysz. Więc zapomnij o łatce, i powiedz im jasno bez wykrętów i niejasności w co wierzysz o zbawieniu.
Jeśli spytają, "Jesteś kalwinistą?" odpowiedz, "Sam zdecyduj. Oto w co wierzę..."
Wierzę że jestem tak duchowo zepsuty, dumny i buntowniczy że sam nigdy nie doszedłbym do wiary w Jezusa bez Bożego miłosierdzia, suwerennie zwyciężającego ostatnie bastiony mojego buntu. (1 Koryntian 2:14; Efezjan 2:1-4; Rzymian 8:7)
Wierzę że Bóg wybrał mnie bym był jego dzieckiem przed założeniem świata, na podstawie niczego co jest we mnie, wcześniej znanego lub inaczej. (Efezjan 1:4-6; Dzieje 13:48; Rzymian 8:29-30; 11:5-7)
Wierzę że Chrystus umarł w zastępstwie grzeszników dając prawdziwą ofertę zbawienia dla wszystkich ludzi, i że miał w swojej śmierci plan by nabyć swoją wybrankę, a dokładniej, zebrać wszystkich wierzących, których imiona są od wieczności zapisane w księdze życia należącej do Baranka który został zabity. (Jan 3:16; Jan 10;15; Efezjan 5:25; Objawienia 13:8)
Gdy byłem martwy w swoich grzechach i ślepy na piękno Chrystusa, Bóg mnie ożywił, otworzył oczy mojego serca, dał mi możliwość uwierzyć, zjednoczył mnie z Jezusem, wraz ze wszystkimi korzyściami przebaczenia, usprawiedliwienia i wiecznego życia. (Efezjan 2:4-5; 2 Koryntian 4:6; Filipian 2:29; Efezjan 2:8-9; Dzieje 16:14; Efezjan 1:7; Filipian 3:9)
Jestem wiecznie bezpieczny nie z powodu czegokolwiek co zrobiłem w przeszłości, ale ponieważ Bóg jest zdecydowany i wierny by dokończyć dzieło jakie zaczął - utrzymać moją wiarę, zachować mnie od apostazji, i powstrzymać mnie od grzechu który prowadzi do śmierci. (1 Koryntian 1:8-9; 1 Tesaloniczan 5:23-24; Filipian 1:6; 1 Piotra 1:5; Judy 1:25; Jana 10:28-29; 1 Jana 5:16)
Nazywaj to jak chcesz, to jest moje życie. Wierzę w to ponieważ widzę to w Biblii. I ponieważ tego doświadczyłem. Niech na wieki będzie chwalona wielkość Bożej łaski!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Marcus Birro: Att älska är svårt
"Det finns inget rent kvar",sjunger Thåström i Imperiet från 1985.
Det är knappast renare nu. Det mesta är en sorts sugande gyttja av futtigheter. Ingenting får vara heligt längre. Allt ska släpas i smutsen. Det uppfattas som progressivt och radikalt att omänskliggöra grundläggande värderingar som livets okränkbara värde, Gud, kärlek och sexualitet.
Allting säljs till lågt pris. Vi tror oss göra en god affär när vi skänker bort våra kroppar, vår tro och vår värdighet. Vilket misstag det är.
Vår samtid är en kran som vi öppnar och glömmer bort. Allt av värde rinner ur oss.
Gud är det särskilt populärt att håna. Till och med i kyrkan. Vilken obarmhärtig skam att Svenska Kyrkan, med ett darrande leende får man förmoda, öppnar sina dörrar för befängda konstnärers fixering vid nedmonterandet av allt heligt.
Jesus blir bög i läderbyxor och alla stumma ateister nickar med i samförstånd. När en annan konstnär gör rondellhundar av profeten Mohammed förvånas vi över de troendes indignation och förtvivlan. Konstnären lyfts in i värmen och prisas för sin medelmåttighet.
Som om dessa ständiga attacker på troende skulle vara modigt. Som om uppluckrandet av tro, helighet och tröst, skulle vara en ärbar bedrift. Vilket misstag det är.
Det är bara lathet. Det är futtigt och ovärdigt. Alla kan hata, det är enkelt. Att älska är tusen gånger svårare.
Det är varken progressivt eller beundransvärt att spotta på folks tro. Det är billigt och enkelt. Det är att dundra in med en bulldozer i ett hav av öppna dörrar.
Människor som lever sina liv utan något heligt missar flera dimensioner av tillvaron. Det är en helt och hållet magisk värld där döden inte är det slutgiltiga mörkret, där trygghet är på riktigt, där samtalet med Gud är en kärleksrelation genom livet, där trösten finns bara en liten bit bort, precis där ljuset bryts.
Människor utan känsla för helighet kommer en dag upptäcka att livet planas ut, att tillvaron går ner för landning på en enda grå åker av värkande vardag. Det finns mysterium som inte går att lösa, men som lättar på förlåten och skänker dig lugna drömmar alla stormiga nätter.
Det finns en saga som väntar på att bli läst, men slarvar man bort sitt liv på världsliga ting, på fyllor, plast och cynism, så missar man den där sagan. Mysteriet förblir olöst. Sagan blir aldrig läst.
Utan helighet kommer dina tårar aldrig sluta rinna. Om du envisas med att trampa på allt heligt, och blundar för miraklet, kommer du aldrig hitta källan till de där tårarna. Din kran kommer stå öppen tills allt ditt ljus har runnit ut och du sitter ensam, yr och full av mörker och vind.
När du hånskrattar åt min tro eller min svaghet är jag inte längre där. Jag är där trösten är.
Livet har ett okränkbart värde, långt bortanför allt politiskt korrekt och slentrianmässiga konstruktion. Ni kan håna tills all luft runnit ur er. Ni kan förstöra med all er kraft. För vi andra är inte ens där längre. Vi andra har rört oss bort från det som drar ner och utplånar oss.
Tidens nycker, människors längtan att splittra och söndra, våra naiva försök att slå oss ut ur en andlig ordning, är korta sekunder av tillfälliga segrar. Hatet är hårt, smärtsamt men kort. Kärleken har ett långt minne och du ryms i detta minne, du också.
Mysteriet står kvar, även om du inte bryr dig om att lösa det.
Av Marcus Birro
marcus.birro@expressen.se
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Humanists believe...
If chance be the father of all flesh disaster is his rainbow in the sky, and when you hear state of emergency, sniper kills 10, troops on rampage, youths go looting, bomb blasts school it is but the sound of man worshipping his maker.
Repent for Your Environmental Sins!
It's insane, yes. But it's also a belief system, one that has given rise to a post-human left, which is far less concerned with the question of human rights, and much more concerned with managing humanity, as if it were an invading pathogen. Environmentalism provides moral cover for the left's disengagement from the issues of human rights that it once pretended to care about. Its coldness toward human beings is a sign of how much it "cares" about something bigger than man. About the whole planet. Suddenly environmentalists aren't sociopaths, even when they make videos featuring the murder of children who don't go along with their creed, they just happen to be supremely caring people who are operating on a level beyond that of mortal men. Their cruelty is actually a higher form of morality.
Saturday, October 09, 2010
What is the Gospel?
How do you become a Christian?
There is Something to Admit
First of all we have to admit that we are all sinners. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Each of us has failed miserably when it comes to keeping His commandments. We haven't honored our parents as we should, we have tolerated untruthfulness, we have been envious of our neighbors and while we may not have actually committed murder, we have tolerated murderous thoughts. Our natural tendency is not to acknowledge our sin. We are prone to blame our circumstances or our genes. We are keen to gain comfort in the assurance that we are not as bad as some people.
So what brings us to the place where we know that we must admit we are sinners? This is something God does. Jesus explained to His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit, "When He comes, He will convince the world of the meaning of sin, of true goodness and of judgment." John 16:8
There is Something to Believe
Jesus is the only Savior from the sin to which we have just admitted. We may have begun our journey fairly convinced Jesus was a "good man," but as we considered the evidence we were forced in a different direction. We certainly did not set out predisposed to believe. So we find ourselves agreeing with this statement: "Faith is forced consent. That is to say, when evidence is judged by the mind to be sufficient, the state of mind we call 'faith' is the inevitable effect….whenever the reasons are judged sufficient, faith or belief is induced." (John Murray "Collected Writings II" p237)
So we come to believe that God has made provision for our sin in the person of His Son. "We see real love, not in the fact that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to make personal atonement for our sins." 1 John 4:10 JBP.
There is Something to Consider
We need to come to terms with the cost of following Christ. He said,"If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, carry his cross every day and keep close behind me. For the man who wants to save his life will lose it, but the man who loses his life for my sake will save it." Luke 9:23,4.
Now be careful not to misunderstand this. The only thing we 'contribute' to our salvation is the sin from which we need to be saved. One way to learn the important distinction is to remember that while entrance to the Christian life is free, the annual subscription is everything we have!
There is a cost involved in saying no to sin.
Jesus said, "The time has come, the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!… Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Notice that His first call is to 'repentance' This means to turn from sin to God. There are certain characteristics which Sinclair Ferguson points out are commonly present in repentance.
A sense of shame, such as when David cries to the Lord after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what it evil in your sight…" Psalm 51:3,4.
This leads to humbling. Instead of jumping to our defense or trying to blame our actions on people or circumstances, we acknowledge our accountability.
There is an accompanying sense of sorrow and regret. If we had been in the corner of the bedroom of the prodigal son on his first night at home, I think we would have heard the sobs and seen the tears and watched in wonder as he kneeled by his bed and mourned the wasted years and the squandered privileges. The memory of sin is distasteful to the truly penitent.
There is also a recognition of God's pardon. It is the kindness of God which leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). While we are emphasizing the need for repentance at the gateway of faith, this is something which continues through our entire life.
There is a cost involved in saying no to self.
What we mean by this is simply that Christ comes first, before everything and everyone else. This has a peculiarly challenging ring in the midst of a culture that has gone to great lengths to bolster self-esteem and make much of the individual. It means that my time and my talents and my relationships and my career will all be brought under His jurisdiction.
There is a cost involved in saying no to secrecy.
When a man or woman discovers the freedom Jesus brings, they will be ready and willing to let others know. The Bible confirms this in a number of places. "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
While coming to trust in Christ is undoubtedly a personal matter, it is not private.
There is Something to Do
Genuine Christian faith is more than saying,"I believe Jesus is who He claimed to be." After all even demons are orthodox when it comes to this, but clearly they are not Christians! (James 2:19)
Faith means accepting the facts can be trusted, and acting upon what you believe to be true.
Alister McGrath uses an analogy which you may find helpful. Imagine I am suffering from blood poisoning and there is a bottle of penicillin sitting on my bedside table. What are my options?
I may accept that this bottle of penicillin exists.
I may trust that it is capable of curing my illness, but I shall never cure my blood poisoning, unless -
I act upon that trust and take the penicillin. Acceptance and trust prepare the way for the final component of faith - entering into the promise, and receiving what it offers.
Mere mental assent to these facts without any corresponding action no more brings us to personal faith than memorizing a menu allows us to enjoy a meal. True faith means moving beyond the awareness of the existence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to a living personal relationship with Him.
If God has shown you your need and given you this desire, then you must forsake everything and trust Christ NOW! There's a time coming when it will be too late.
So here is the most crucial question you will ever face: "Do you take this Savior?"
If your answer is "yes," then let me encourage you to deal with the matter immediately. You may want to find a quiet place to seal your commitment. God is not so concerned with your ability to articulate your thoughts as He is aware of the sincerity of the response of your heart. A simple prayer such as this may be of help to you in marking the moment. Depending on the kind of person you are, you may want to write this in your journal or the fly leaf of your Bible. This is a unique occasion.
"Lord Jesus Christ, I confess that I am a guilty, lost and helpless sinner. I want you to save me, to take your rightful place as Lord of my life. I want to turn from my sin and trust only in your atoning sacrifice. I give my life to you. Take charge of it all and help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to follow after you."
It is important for us to recognize the mystery which surrounds this. Jesus referred to this when he was talking with Nicodemus about being born again. He said, "The wind blows where it likes, you can hear the sound of it but you have no idea where it comes from and where it goes. Nor can you tell how a man is born by the wind of the Spirit." John3:8 JBP.
This recognizes the amazing wonder of God's grace whereby Jesus comes to where I am, calls me by my name and changes me. So this life-changing encounter takes place both mysteriously and individually.
Faith is the gift of God, and we may be confident that having given it, He will not take it back. Allow me to offer you the same encouragement Paul gave to the believers in Philippi, "I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil.1:6
So What Should I DO Now
There are two very important things you should now do.
Get yourself a Bible and start reading it. The gospel of John is a good place to start. The Bible is the Word of God and He gave it to us that we might learn more about following Him. Set aside a time each day for reading your Bible and talking to God in prayer.
Find other Christians and tell them what you've done. If you know other Christians, then you could go to church with them. If not, then find a Bible-teaching church that you can attend. It is important now that you grow in your walk with God. Spiritual food, that is fellowship and teaching, as well as your own Bible study, will help you grow.
"Look unto me and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God and there is no other." Isaiah 45 : 22
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Be holy
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Practical Implications of the Attributes of God
Practical Implications of the Incommunicable Attributes of God
| Attribute | Scripture | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Independence: God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation can glorify him and bring him joy. | “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24–25; cf. Ex. 3:14; Job 41:11;Ps. 50:9–12; 90:2). | God never experiences need, so serving God should never be motivated by the thought that he needs us. He is the provider in everything. |
| Immutability: God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises, although as he acts in response to different situations he feels emotions. | “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed” (Mal. 3:6; for “being,” cf. Ps. 102:25–27; Mal. 3:6; James 1:17; for “purposes,” cf. Ps. 33:11; Isa. 46:9–11; for “promises,” cf. Num. 23:19; Rom. 11:29). | God can always be trusted because he always keeps his word, and is never capricious or moody. |
| Eternity: God has no beginning or end and is in no way bound by time, although he sees events and acts in his world in time, which is in fact one dimension of the created order. | “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Ps. 90:2; cf.Ex. 3:14; Job 36:26; Ps. 90:4; Isa. 46:9–10; John 8:58; 1 Tim. 6:16; 2 Pet. 3:8; Jude 24–25; Rev. 1:8; 4:8). | Those who trust the God of eternity can know peace, rest, and comfort in the busyness of life and in spite of impending death, for God keeps them in safety and joy forever. |
| Omnipresence: God does not have spatial dimensions and is present everywhere with his whole being, though he acts differently in different situations. | “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth?” (Jer. 23:23–24; cf.1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 139:7–10; Isa. 66:1–2; Acts 7:48–50). | God can be sought anywhere regardless of place. Believers should never feel lonely, and the wicked should never feel safe. |
Practical Implications of the Communicable Attributes of God
| Attribute | Scripture | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Holiness: God is absolutely and uniquely excellent above all creation (majesty) and without sin (purity). | “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’” (Rev. 4:8; for “majestic holiness,” cf. Ex. 15:11; 1 Chron. 16:27–29; Isa. 57:15; for “moral holiness,” cf. Isa. 5:16; 6:1–8; Acts 3:14; Heb. 7:26). | God should be feared and obeyed, and his people should earnestly pursue moral purity. |
| Omnipotence:God is able to do all his holy will. | “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose’” (Isa. 46:9–10; cf. Ex. 6:3; Job 37:23; 40:2; 42:1–6;Ps. 24:6; 33:10–11; 91:1; Dan. 4:34–35; Matt. 28:18). | God's ultimate will is never frustrated by evil, so there is peace and confidence in the face of suffering for those who trust God. |
| Sovereignty:God has absolute rule over creation as King and total control and determination over all that happens. | “His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Dan. 4:34–35; cf. 1 Chron. 29:11–13; Ps. 22:28; 24:1; 47:7–9; 103:19; Prov. 16:19, 21, 33; Dan. 4:25; 7:1–28; 12:1–13;Matt. 6:13; 10:29; Acts 17:26; Eph. 1:11; 1 Tim. 6:15; James 1:13–15). | Mankind should obey and submit to God as humble subjects of his kingdom. |
| Omniscience:God fully knows himself and all things actual and possible—past, present, and future. | “Whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:20; cf. Job 28:24; 37:16; Ps. 139:1–3; 147:5; Isa. 55:8–9; Matt. 10:29–30; Rom. 11:33–34; 1 Cor. 2:10–11; Heb. 4:13). | All God's thoughts and actions are perfectly informed by perfect knowledge, so he is perfectly trustworthy. |
| Wisdom: God always knows and chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals. Wisdom is a moral as well as an intellectual quality. | “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might” (Dan. 2:20; cf. Job 9:4; 12:13; Ps. 104:24;Rom. 11:33; 16:27; 1 Cor. 1:21–29; Eph. 3:10–11). | God's wisdom is not always clear to us, but it is great, deep, valuable, and should be highly desired and sought, and we should not doubt its reality even in circumstances that upset us. |
| Love: God freely and eternally gives of himself. The ultimate historical demonstration of God's love is seen in the cross of Christ. | “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:8–10; cf. John 3:16; 15:13; 17:24; Rom. 5:8; 8:31–39; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 3:16; 4:16). | God is eager to extravagantly give of himself to meet the needs of lost sinners, so they should flee to him with confidence (cf. Rom. 8:32). |
| Wrath: God intensely hates and responds with anger to all sin and rebellion. God hates every threat to what he loves. | “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb’” (Rev. 6:15–16; cf. Ex. 34:7;Rom. 1:18; 2:4; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:5; 2 Pet. 3:9). | God should be greatly feared. Unbelievers should fear his judgment and turn to Christ for salvation. Believers should fear God's fatherly discipline. The God who loves us is also the holy God who hates sin (1 Pet. 1:17). |