Recent Posts
God? Who Needs Him?May 31, 2013
Self-sufficient humanism. Paul saw it coming – “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Imago Dei
September 12, 2012
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Why Can't I Pray?
August 18, 2012
The bible gives us several reasons, but according to Jeremy Taylor, a deceitful heart is at the root of prayerlessness.
It's Not Rocket Science
July 23, 2012
To keep in step with the Spirit should be our daily quest. And if we are successful at that, all of life falls into place.
Theological Steak
April 10, 2012
These words by P. T. Forsythe on the magnificence of Christ's work are to theology what Ruth's Chris is to a good steak.
Describing the Indescribable
February 11, 2012
What we have in Christ will take all eternity to describe. But for one segment of one sermon, a great preacher made a mighty attempt.
Making Sense Of It All
January 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
It Is Necessarily So!
July 24, 2010
The Bible has always had its detractors, but for the last hundred years there has been an unprecedented attack mounted against it. The death blow has failed, but not for lack of trying.Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:89
Among other things, it's mock-proof.
The broadcaster Daniel Schorr has died at 93. Apparently while attending a Frank Zappa concert, he was called up on stage and invited to sing. In a performance worthy of American Idol's worst auditions - you know, the people who think they are singers, but aren't - he crooned the song IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO, by George and Ira Gershwin.
Not being familiar with the song (from PORGY AND BESS) a quick Google search brought up this.....
It ain't necessarily so
It ain't necessarily so
The t'ings dat yo' li'ble
To read in de Bible,
It ain't necessarily so.
Li'l David was small, but oh my !
Li'l David was small, but oh my !
He fought Big Goliath
Who lay down an' dieth !
Li'l David was small, but oh my !
You get the idea? Let's just mock the Bible. A Youtube clip shows the singer holding the Bible in his hand, sneering derisively, heaping scorn on a woman who unquestioningly trusted the words written there.
Other verses include......
Well, it ain't necessarily so
Well, it ain't necessarily so
Dey tells all you chillun
De debble's a villun,
But it ain't necessarily so !
To get into Hebben
Don' snap for a sebben !
Live clean ! Don' have no fault !
Oh, I takes dat gospel
Whenever it's pos'ble,
But wid a grain of salt.
And then Ira and George show their true agenda - this is their sermon.
I'm preachin' dis sermon to show,
It ain't nece-ain't nece
Ain't nece-ain't nece
Ain't necessarily ... so !
If Francis Quarles (1592-1644) were in the same room with the Gershwin brothers, he might read them some "lyrics" of his own, to warn them of the consequences when the Bible is not taken seriously.
ON GOD’S WORD
Francis Quarles
God’s sacred Word is like the Lamp of Day,
Which softens wax,
but makes obdure (hardens) the clay.
It either melts the Heart, or more obdures (stiffens).
In never falls in vain,
It wounds, or cures.
Lord, make my breast thy Hive, and then I know,
Thy bees will bring in Wax and honey too.
I know which effect I want the Bible to have on me. Lord, soften my heart.
Holding On To Air
May 3, 2010
Arthur Sulzberger Jr. can't be faulted for hypocrisy. He is a true believer. But in what, exactly?He describes his personal faith this way: “I have The New York Times. That’s my religion. That’s what I believe in, and it’s a hell of a thing to hold on to.”
Jesus described two roads. The one you don't want to be on - the broad one - leads to destruction, he said. That's the one most people travel on. The other choice, the alternative, is the narrow road. It leads to life, and sadly, Jesus says, only a few find that road.
David wrote in Psalm 20....
Some trust in chariots and some in horses (the broad road), but we trust in the name of the Lord our God (the narrow road). Psalms 20:7
The result?
They (those people who choose the broad road) are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20:8
Moses put it this way.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19
Whatever We Ask....
August 6, 2009
"Well done, good and faithful servant" will ring throughout the heavens someday as millions receive their reward. This much we know. Our own energy will have produced nothing worth rewarding. But in God's power? Now that's a different story.
Lumps Of Walking Clay
July 22, 2009
God "gets in the way" of our freedom. So we have hit the "delete" button. And if God is not mocked as He says He is not, then something has to give. Stay tuned.....
Chesterton and the Men Of Issachar
July 22, 2009
Being able to see through the mist and fog of these modern times is not easy. Fortunately, some men and women have that prophetic gift. G. K. Chesterton was one of those.
What Really Matters
July 11, 2009
On the surface, this world seems promising. But as wonderful as it is, it can't compare with knowing Christ, and the living water he supplies that quenches any and every thirst.
Defeating A Party Spirit
July 10, 2009
Tribalism is everywhere, in politics as well as matters of faith. And who doesn't want to be on the side of truth? In a letter John Newton warned of the damage that crusading, no matter how well-intentioned, can do to our hearts.
Minding Our Own Theological Store
July 9, 2009
The Gospel message gets distorted. That's Church History 101. And we are to be vigilant, for sure. But spotting error and calling it out is dangerous business, and carries with it certain unexpected side effects. John Newton has come good advice.
Say So
June 24, 2009
There are times when the saying "silence is golden" is appropriate. For the believer, though, the more we verbalize what God has done, the more our heart is enlarged, and God is glorified.
Old Things Pass Away....
June 13, 2009
Transformation. Being born again, suddenly everything is turned upside down. Or is it right-side-up? Either way, we no longer see things the same way. We belong to another. And it's ok. Or if it's not.....
A Worldview That Makes God Smile
May 19, 2009
Why are we here and just where are we headed? The way we answer these questions ends up being lived out in real time, day after day. So just what would constitute a worldview that incorporates the plans and purposes of God as revealed in scripture?
