God our Shepherd

PSALM 23, S. M.
God our Shepherd.

The Lord my Shepherd is,
I shall be well supplied;
Since he is mine and I am his,
What can I want beside?

He leads me to the place
Where heav'nly pasture grows,
Where living waters gently pass,
And full salvation flows.

If e'er I go astray,
He doth my Soul reclaim;
And guides me in his own right way,
For his most holy name.

While he affords his aid
I cannot yield to fear;
Though I should walk through death's dark shade,
My Shepherd's with me there.

In sight of all my foes,
Thou dost my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows,
And joy exalts my head.

The bounties of thy love
Shall crown my following days;
Nor from thy house will I remove,
Nor cease to speak thy praise.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
The Psalms of David, 1719

de jure and de facto

de jure [di joor-ee, dey joor-ay] adverb: By right; by law.
adjective: Rightful.

de facto [dee fak-toh, dey fak-toh] noun: actually existing, esp. when without lawful authority

Insurance and health care

Most people aren't fans of insurance companies. Neither am I. There are other and better options. But they have been made a whipping boy of the proponents of health care reform. Folks need to understand that they work on a simple principle to survive -- they must take in more money that they pay out. Otherwise they won't exist. And this plain and simple formula -- perhasp too plain and simple for politicians -- still exists even when the government becomes a player in health care. Differences are (1) a business cannot make you buy their product; the government evidently thinks it can; and (2) the government can and will keep raising taxes and fees in order to take in more than they pay out.

Dirty little secret

For all the talk by the Democrats about the evil Republicans, the thing that they don't tell us (or at least only speak it in a whisper) is that they have the majority in the House and it was THEIR OWN PEOPLE -- 34 House Democrats voted "no" on the Senate-passed bill -- that they had to drag along kicking and screaming to get the bill passed 219-211.

For all his talk about the sanctity of life -- "a principle that meant more to us than anything" -- Bart Stupak and his coalition went down in a whimper of compromise.

H R 3590; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that the House agree to the Senate amendments
H R 4872; Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010

Deem

"There's an old saying that 'figures don't lie, but liars sure do figure'. Every major Demcare statistic -- from the inflated number of uninsured to the politicized junk-science statistic on the number of Americans who purportedly die from lack of health insurance to the mythical savings that will come from squandering '$940 billion' -- is a single-payer-promoting figment of liberal imagination." -- Michelle Malkin in The Deem-o-crats' towering deception

BTW, yesterday when I first heard that the House Democrats were going to deem the health care passed so they wouldn't have to vote on it, I thought it was a joke. Looks like the joke is on us.

Intellectual property

Back in February, Bart Barber discussed in two posts the subject of intellectual property in relation to sermons, books, religious music, etc. I found this an interesting topic. Some commenters brought up things I would not have thought of, I suppose because their experiences are so different from mine. It also brought to mind a song with a "non-copyright" notice -- "When I See the Blood". On number 49 in Stamps-Baxter's Heavenly Highway Hymns below the title: "Foote Bros., not copyrighted. Let no one do so. May this song ever be free to be published for the glory of God."

A Theology of Intellectual Property
Bart Barber: "It seems clear to me that I need to develop some sort of a biblical theology of intellectual property—some systematic approach to the topic that incorporates both a check against human hubris in exclusive credit for what God has done and an acknowledgement of the commandment not to steal."

Brother Bart openly asks what we should do about some things, like a pastor who copyrights a sermon? Do you believe God guides you and then go a print a book of sermons under copyright? "What happens to God's part" in the matter? What about Christian music?

The route I have taken thus far with the few books and booklets I have produced: I have put copyright notices on them, with the idea of trying to keep someone from recklessly printing them in a changed manner -- not that I am making money on them, am interested in make money on them, or have produced anything original. I wouldn't mind if someone took something I've written and printed it and made money off of it (not that anything I would produce would be a money maker!). In fact I would be glad for it to get wider distribution. The whole idea is to get the truth out to far and wide, isn't it? The only purpose I see for the copyright notice is to keep someone reprinting with doctrinal changes.

Speaking of Intellectual Property
In this one there was some discussion of "turning church work product into personal largesse". Since I have never functioned as an "employee" I had never thought of this. But, for example, one church's "staff manual" declares any work done on church time -- sermons, writings, books, etc. -- are the property of the church. Or as one person put it: "intellectual property developed on someone else's payroll belongs to the entity paying the person to develop it."

Bart's tentative conclusion
"...one has the obligation to protect material from wanton modification and distortion by others, many of whom may not be friendly to the cause of the gospel...Copyrights, however, ought not to be abused in order to claim as one's personal creation that which is the work of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, we pastors must beware becoming greedy for 'filthy lucre'."

So I'm wondering if any of my readers have any thoughts about this subject??

DST

I need to apologize. I let the "time change" slip by without complaining about it. Sorry about that. I here and now officially complain!

Not listening

II Chronicles 10:15 So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God...

Did John doubt?

Below are thoughts by Wayne Gregory on John the Baptist regarding...

Matthew 11:2-3 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

"Did John the Baptist doubt that Jesus was the Christ? I am convinced that John was not doubting, but in his final hours on this earth was still fulfilling his ministry and pointed all his disciples to "the lamb of God."

"Jesus answered the disciples by referring them to the OT record: (Isa. 35:1-6) "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." These and kindred scriptures were the foundation for their faith and hope, not John's testimony.

"No, John did not doubt, but was committing his disciples to the care of the ONE to whom they belonged. This sending of his disciples was not for his benefit, but for the benefit of those he sent. Therefore, when John was beheaded, where did they go? (Matt. 14:12) "And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus." They went to the ONE John had pointed them to. IMHO, John's actions was a great testimony that he believed that Jesus was the Christ; and Christ had greater witness than John - His works.

"If you read all the Lord said about John in the following context, you might come to believe the same thing. As concerns the least in the kingdom of God or heaven, I understand that as later and referring to Christ. That was what John has repeatedly confirmed, 'He that cometh after me...is greater than me'."

By Wayne Gregory

TJ Denson students

T. J. ("Uncle Tom") Denson was an important Sacred Harp singer, songwriter, publisher and singing school teacher. He taught singing schools into the 1930s, even here in Texas. Awhile back his grandson, Mike Hinton, sent me a list of the students of T. J. Denson that he knows about who are still living.

Myrl Jones (1930) TX
Lawson Smith (1934) TX
Lorraine Miles (1930) TX
Julietta Haynes (lived in AL until a couple of years ago)
Lonnie Rogers (1935 - was in the last class T J Denson taught)
A male member of the Denny family - does not sing now - GA (1935)

Lord willing, we will be singing Saturday at the Smith Memorial Singing near Tyler. Myrl (Smith) Jones and Lawson Smith are part of this Smith family who were taught by Tom Denson, and hopefully will be there at the singing. Another former student Myra (Smith) Palmer, passed away in the fall of 2009.

Smith Memorial Sacred Harp Singing

The Smith Memorial Sacred Harp Singing will be held, Lord willing, this coming Saturday -- March 13th -- at the New Harmony Community Center in the New Harmony Community just northwest of Tyler, north of US Hwy 64 on FM 724. We will start singing at 10 a.m.

A map and other information can be found HERE.

Hope to see you there.

Church unanimity

The experience below is an example of an historical occurrence of a church moving in unanimity. Names, places, etc. were removed, but the sense still available, I think/hope.

"When I first came...the churches here practiced unanimity in all cases, except the exclusion of an unrepentant member, in which case he could not exercise a veto by his vote over his own case. It takes only ONE vote to table an issue here. So in effect, the nay vote is a veto.

"...Church...wanted to have electricity in their meeting house so that they could have night meetings...When the motion was made and seconded, and the votes were called for...nodded her head 'No'. The deacon was moderating, and therefore tabled the issue; and went on with other things in their conference. A few months passed, and the dear sister told of her earlier experience, and how her family had taken their Aladdin Lamp to meeting, and what a wonderful service they all had. Suddenly, it crossed her mind: they had done that before there was electricity available. She asked the deacon to bring the issue off the table; which he did, and the motion was passed with unanimity.

"I learned...as a young man, that there was never anything so pressing that it could not wait until all the saints were brought to agreement. And with all my heart I agree with that practice."

Should a church move in unanimity rather than the rule by majority vote?

Religious expression

Judge rules against religious expression

Butte High senior's civil rights not violated by order to remove religion from graduation talk

II Cor. 13:14 in verse

May the grace of CHRIST our Savior
And the FATHER's boundless love,
With the Holy SPIRIT's favor,
Rest upon us from above!
Thus may we abide in union
With each other, and the LORD;
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.

John Newton (1725-1807)
Olney Hymns, 1779

Praise God for the Furnace

From the writings of A. W. Tozer

"It was the enraptured Rutherford who could shout in the midst of serious and painful trials, "Praise God for the hammer, the file and the furnace."

"The hammer is a useful tool, but the nail, if it had feeling and intelligence, could present another side of the story. For the nail knows the hammer only as an opponent, a brutal, merciless enemy who lives to pound it into submission, to beat it down out of sight and clinch it into place. That is the nail's view of the hammer, and it is accurate except for one thing: The nail forgets that both it and the hammer are servants of the same workman. Let the nail but remember that the hammer is held by the workman and all resentment toward it will disappear. The carpenter decides whose head will be beaten next and what hammer shall be used in the beating. That is his sovereign right. When the nail has surrendered to the will of the workman and has gotten a little glimpse of his benign plans for its future it will yield to the hammer without complaint.

"The file is more painful still, for its business is to bite into the soft metal, scraping and eating away the edges till it has shaped the metal to its will. Yet the file has, in truth, no real will in the matter, but serves another master as the metal also does. It is the master and not the file that decides how much shall be eaten away, what shape the metal shall take, and how long the painful filing shall continue. Let the metal accept the will of the master and it will not try to dictate when or how it shall be filed.

"As for the furnace, it is the worst of all. Ruthless and savage, it leaps at every combustible thing that enters it and never relaxes its fury till it has reduced it all to shapeless ashes. All that refuses to burn is melted to a mass of helpless matter, without will or purpose of its own. When everything is melted that will melt and all is burned that will burn, then and not till then the furnace calms down and rests from its destructive fury.

"With all this known to him, how could Rutherford find it in his heart to praise God for the hammer, the file and the furnace? The answer is simply that he loved the Master of the hammer, he adored the Workman who wielded the file, he worshiped the Lord who heated the furnace for the everlasting blessing of His children. He had felt the hammer till its rough beatings no longer hurt; he had endured the file till he had come actually to enjoy its bitings; he had walked with God in the furnace so long that it had become as his natural habitat."

Retirement and meditation

HYMN 122 L. M.
Retirement and meditation.

My God, permit me not to be
A stranger to myself and thee;
Amidst a thousand thoughts I rove,
Forgetful of my highest love.

Why should my passions mix with earth,
And thus debase my heav'nly birth?
Why should I cleave to things below,
And let my God, my Savior, go?

Call me away from flesh and sense,
One sovereign word can draw me thence;
I would obey the voice divine,
And all inferior joys resign.

Be earth with all her scenes withdrawn,
Let noise and vanity begone;
In secret silence of the mind
My heav'n, and there my God, I find.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II, 1707

One more and I'm through

I generally write on musical and religious topics and not much on politics. But I got charged up hoping we would throw out the representative who a few years chose to run to Ardmore, Oklahoma rather than actually represent us (novel idea, what we elected him to do!). We didn't even get a pinch runner. Here's one final at bat for now and I'll move on to more salient less depressing topics.

Strike one
I'm no political analyst (no shock there), but I was very surprised by two things in yesterday's Republican primary. First, that Rick Perry took the governor's race with not even a run-off. About a year ago the prevailing notion was that Kay Bailout Hutchison would knock him out of the ballpark. But it was Perry who got the home run. Second, that Chuck Hopson won House District 11 without a run-off. A Democrat up until a few months ago, this RINO not only exceeded the 50 percent necessary to stave off a run-off but hammered the two long-time Republican challengers by garnering about 62% of the vote. I think he did it the old-fashioned way -- like George Steinbrenner bought, I mean won, all his World Series for the Yankees. (follow the money)

Strike two
"The Health Care Bill has raised apprehensions in many areas (e.g., the economic costs, the politics of socialism, the growth of governmental powers, etc.); however, very little has been presented of the numerous ways in which the bill is actually unconstitutional. In fact, should the bill eventually pass, several lawsuits are pending over its various unconstitutional aspects," writes David Barton. David has posted on his web site “Potential Constitutional Problems With H.R. 3590” by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Strike three
"Polls showing 74% of Americans think airport body scans will make us more secure are either incorrect or else we have become a thoroughly brainwashed and ideologically lobotomized assemblage of slaves who are happy to chant 'Thank you sir, may I please have another?' with each violation against our Bill of Rights and natural law.

"The fourth amendment guarantees:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

"Full Body Scanning is unreasonable as it presupposes guilt and ignores the aspect of our law that requires a warrant for searches." -- By Mary Starrett in "Keep America Safe - Get Naked." January 20, 2010

OK, I'm outta here.

Find your representatives

"Who Represents Me provides information about current districts and members of the Texas Senate, Texas House of Representatives, the Texas delegation to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and the State Board of Education."

Just plug in your Street Address, City, and ZIP Code and you'll find out "who represents me".

Word today

Word: obnubilate (ob-NOO-buh-layt, -NYOO-)
Part of speech: verb tr.
Definition: To cloud over, obscure, or darken.
Used in a sentence: The polls are opening at 7:00 a.m. In the preceding months, politicians have obnubilated issue after issue for their own benefit.

Word: obnubilation (ob-NOO-buh-layt-shun, -NYOO-)
Part of speech: noun
Definition: mental cloudiness and torpidity; the act of obnubilating.
Used in a poem:
My joy and jubilation
(For I'm a politician)
Is sweet obnubilation.
It's my eternal mission.

Now you may think I'm funny
Since I seem to have plenty--
My friend, I need your money--
I don't mean just a twenty!

It is my fond ambition
To bring you to submission;
I will, for this condition,
Disregard your volition.

Yes, I'm a politician,
And under obligation;
To stay in my position
By sweet obnubilation.

(Ode to a politician, March 1,2010)

The animal world of politics

Donkey -- the symbol of the Democratic party. According to "The Political Arena", the donkey was first used to represent the Democratic party in a political cartoon in 1837.
Elephant -- the symbol of the Republican party. "The Political Arena" says elephant was connected with the Republican party in cartoons as early as 1860. An 1874 cartoon in Harper's Weekly was the important factor in sticking the elephant as the Republican symbol.
Blue Dog -- Blue Dog Democrats claim to be moderate-to-conservative Democrats who are committed to financial and national security. I think they are supposed to be former "yellow dog" Democrats who claimed they had been "choked blue" by their own party.
Rino -- these critters charging the savanna go by their acronym RINO (Republican In Name Only). In general these are Republican politicians whose voting records are contrary to the party platform. Specifically in Texas they are Democrats who saw the handwriting on the wall -- the Republican takeover of state politics -- and jumped ship for political expediency. Chuck Hopson, House District 11, is one such example. Virtually assured he could not be re-elected as a Democrat, he is now a RINO. Those Republicans who support his re-election in opposition to the local grass root Republicans of HD 11 are suspect as well (including Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Sen. Kay Bailout Hutchison, Sen. John Cornyn, Agricultural Ommissioner Todd Staples, State Sen. Kevin Eltife, Rep. Joe Strauss)

It's a dog eat dog world out there (and Elephants and Rinos and Donkeys). Tomorrow's primary will tell who survives.

A question for Texians

...and Republican Texians in particular.
Tomorrow is the primary election in Texas. The Republican Executive Committee has placed five propositions on the Republican primary ballot. These questions are designed to collect the opinions of active Republican voters on these issues.

I wonder what you might think of this one:
Ballot Proposition #5: Sonograms
The Texas Legislature should enact legislation requiring a sonogram to be performed and shown to each mother about to undergo a medically unnecessary, elective abortion.
YES or NO

Abortion murders should be illegal. Unfortunately they are not. The design of this legislation to require sonograms would be to cut down on the amount of legal abortions. But who is going to pay for this? The doctor, the woman getting the sonogram, or Texas taxpayers?

How will/would you vote on this?

[Note: feel free to comment whether or not you live in Texas or are a Republican. All that is required for you to comment is to have one (a comment).]

The call of God

On another blog there has been some discussion of the call of God, whether it is a call to preach, a call to pastor, etc. With this already on my mind, yesterday while in a Christian book store I noticed a little book on the shelf titled Is God Calling Me?: Answering the Question Every Leader Asks by Jeff Iorg. So I picked it up for a quick scan. I didn't buy it, but found it interesting.

In what might be the heart of the book, Iorg claims that God calls in three ways: 1.) dramatic experiences, 2.) reasoned decisions, and 3.) the prompting of others (or a combination of the three).

Would you agree or disagree with any or all of these three? If you agree with one (or two or all three), what would be your defense of it? New Testament examples?

The greatest work on earth

I recently read a preacher write that pastoring a New Testament church is the greatest work on earth. Is that so? On what authority? Does the Bible teach that?

2/3 Christian

The love of God wants what is good for us.
The wisdom of God knows what is good for us.
The power of God does what is good for us.

Meditating on the above, I began to wonder whether many of us are just "2/3 Christians". How many accept the first two as axioms, yet water down and explain away the third? Yet Paul writes, "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Hate crimes?

Yesterday I read Atheist sign = hate speech. I was already thinking about the subject of hate speech/hate crimes earlier. Recently I have heard it bandied about by "our side". By "our side", I mean those who have traditionally opposed hate crime/hate speech bills and laws. Now they seem to want in on the act, too. I say we need to remain consistent.

With the recent rash of church building burnings in East Texas, the word "hate crime" has been attached to that. Sure they are crimes rising from hate. Most crimes are. But these should not be pursued for special punishment because of what the people were thinking. Burning a church building is a crime, whether done to cover a theft or because one hates Christianity. In this country one is free to not be a Christian or even oppose Christianity. He is not free to kill Christians, burn church buildings, etc. Murder and arson are crimes.

We who oppose the concept of hate crimes don't need to change our tune when we think it might benefit us. We need to remain consistent.

[Notes: 1. This post is no judgment on whether the sign mentioned in the article was appropriately placed. Just that "free speech" is not "hate speech". 2. Two young men have been arrested related to burning the Dover Baptist Church near Tyler.]

Get over it

I turn on the tube and what do I see
A whole lotta people cryin' "Don't blame me"
They point their crooked little fingers at everybody else
Spend all their time feelin' sorry for themselves
Victim of this, victim of that
Your momma's too thin; your daddy's too fat
Get over it (By Don Henley)

Thursday February 18
Beset by financial and tax problems, Joe Stack lashes out by flying his plane into an Austin, Texas IRS building.

Friday February 12
About to lose her job, University of Alabama neurobiology professor Amy Bishop lashes out by shooting six colleagues at a faculty meeting Friday, murdering three.

Every day
Hurting, miserable, sick and in debt, John and Jane Doe drag themselves out of bed, drink a strong cup of coffee, put on a smile and head off to work. They don't blame someone else and they don't kill anyone. May their tribe increase!

In another life, long before Don Henley wrote "Get Over It", I was an Eagles fan. Though not still a fan, the title of this song has something that resonates with me from time to time. It is too abrasive, for we as Christians are called to be compassionate. But all the whining and blaming at times fills us to the brim and with a craving to shout "get over it"!

Many people -- including, perhaps, Joe Stack and Amy Bishop -- think they are alone in their misery. What has happened to me is worse than anything that has happened to anyone else. My troubles are more than I can bear. We've all been there; done that. But it is not true. Life is full of John and Jane Does who are hurting just as much as you and I are, but "got over it". They are those who work in order that they may eat, love their enemies, bless those that curse them, do good to those that hate them, and pray for those that despitefully use & persecute them. They're called Christians.

"Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye...Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." -- Peter, an apostle

God is love

Come, ye that know and fear the Lord,
And raise your thoughts above:
Let every heart and voice accord,
To sing that "God is love."

This precious truth His Word declares,
And all His mercies prove;
Jesus, the gift of gifts, appears,
To show that "God is love."

Behold His patience, bearing long
With those who from Him rove;
'Till mighty grace their heart subdues,
To teach them -- "God is love."

Oh, may we all, while here below,
This best of blessings prove;
Till warmer hearts, in brighter worlds,
Proclaim that "God is love."

By George Burder (1752-1832)

I John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

More music links

General
Public Domain Music is a site of copyrighted MIDI files, and text files of their lyrics, created by Benjamin Robert Tubb -- based on original sheet music sources in the public domain. Looks like there may be some good stuff there.

Sacred Harp
(pictures from Sacred Harp singings)
Crissy 's Public Gallery
Martha Beverly's photostream
Mary W. 's Public Gallery

Southern Gospel
Gospel singing conventions

In a graveyard

In a graveyard. 6s. (February 12, 2010)

1. Gone but not forgotten
Engraved upon the stone
But the stone was broken
And lying all alone.
2. Who here beneath the ground
Sleeps in this silent tomb?
And shall we, too, be found
In such a lonesome doom?
3. Gone and soon forgotten
As mem'ries fade away
Time goes on a-marching
And night replaces day.
4. Lying, unremembered--
Yes, O, how sad to see!
Nay, how glad unnumbered,
If God remember thee!!

On a snowy day a week ago, perhaps I was thinking gloomy thoughts. In this little poem I tried to capture the feeling I once had walking through a graveyard and seeing an old dilapidated stone bearing the testimony "Gone but not forgotten." How incongruous! How depressing! It made an impression on me. I bought some epoxy and put the stone back together.

But, in perspective, it is only sad in nature's realm. In the last verse I try to set aside the human emotion to remember what is of true and lasting spiritual worth.

Today, 164 years ago

On this day, February 19, 1846, the independent Republic of Texas became a state of the United States, with North Carolina native James Pinckney Henderson its first governor.

Our county seat is named after Governor Henderson.

In the news

Mount Vernon Statement
The Mount Vernon Statement "...is an attempt to draft a document that conservatives -- whether they're Tea Party conservatives or social or economic or foreign policy conservatives -- can get behind and begin the process of reclaiming the Republican Party for small-government conservatives," says chairman of Conservative HQ.com Richard Viguerie.

Read it and tell me what you think.

Religious homosexual marriage support
Over 150 religious leaders in Iowa sent a letter to lawmakers, supporting homosexual marriage. The letter can be found HERE. Is 150 very many in Iowa? How many oppose it?

Census fraud
Census fraud example of gov't ineptitude
In addition to this, ACORN (The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) has signed on as a partner with the U.S. Census Bureau. They have a history of voter fraud.

Austin Plane Crash
Texas Small Plane Crash Might Be Intentional Act, Officials Say

Will a Man Rob God

An internal Southern Baptist squabble has brought to my attention two previously unnoticed papers on the subject of tithing.

“Will a Man Rob God?” (Malachi 3:8): A Study of Tithing in the Old and New Testaments

Reconstructing a Biblical Model for Giving: A Discussion of Relevant Systematic Issues and New Testament Principles

These are two parts of the same subject. The first deals with the Old and New Testament verses on tithing, and the second with principles used to support tithing and finally a suggestion for "a more excellent way": or as one of the writers put it -- "...the New Testament contains sufficient guidance for our giving". The papers are written by Andreas Köstenberger (Southeastern Seminary) and David A. Croteau (Liberty University).

A reader at Bart Barber's blog, commenting on the squabble, wrote, "If any good comes from this whole brouhaha, I hope it will be that a few people will read Croteau and Kostenberger's excellent paper." I hope so, too.

No unlimited submission

In 1798 Thomas Jefferson and James Madison wrote the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, which includes:

"Resolved, that the several States composing the United States of America, are not united on the principle of unlimited submission to their general government; but that by compact under the style and title of a Constitution for the United States and of amendments thereto, they constituted a general government for special purposes, delegated to that government certain definite powers, reserving each State to itself, the residuary mass of right to their own self-government; and that whensoever the general government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force..."

[Adding an interesting quote: "Politicians are the only people in world who create problems and then campaign against them." -- Charlie Reese]

The wheat and tares

The wheat and tares. L.M.
Matthew 13:37-42

Though in the outward church below
The wheat and tares together grow;
Jesus ere long will weed the crop,
And pluck the tares, in anger, up.

Will it relieve their horrors there,
To recollect their stations here?
How much they heard, how much they knew,
How long amongst the wheat they grew!

O! this will aggravate their case!
They perished under means of grace;
To them the word of life and faith,
Became an instrument of death.

We seem alike when thus we meet,
Strangers might think we all are wheat;
But to the Lord's all-searching eyes,
Each heart appears without disguise.

The tares are spared for various ends,
Some, for the sake of praying friends;
Others, the LORD, against their will,
Employs his counsels to fulfill.

But though they grow so tall and strong,
His plan will not require them long;
In harvest, when he saves his own,
The tares shall into hell be thrown.

John Newton (1725-1807)
Olney Hymns, 1779

Opposites of love

In different places and on different occasions, I have different people prevaricate on what the opposite of love is. Some have made some good points, and have suggested some of the following are opposite of love.

Apathy
Rev. 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Fear
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Jealousy
Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

Lust
Proverbs 6:25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Hate
Psalms 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil:
Ecclesiastes 3:8 A time to love , and a time to hate

All of the above have some elements that are the opposite of love. While love is a feeling, apathy is no feeling at well. Lust takes an expression of love and consumes it for itself. Cupid, in ancient Greece known as Eros, is the ubiquitous symbol of today's holiday of love. Interestingly, eros, one of the Greek's words for "love", is not used at all in the New Testament.

Although many have suggested other "opposites" for love that have some merit, it seems to me that hate is the word used in the Bible as the most direct opposite of love -- Ecclesiastes 3:8 being an excellent example.

Touch not God's anointed

Recently a stir was created over a prominent Grapevine pastor linked to luxury. Millions of dollars with little or no congregational accountability seems suspicious. But one thing that is disconcerting to me is the fact that some think a pastor or "great Christian leader" can't be questioned or called to account. For example, "Praying for @EdYoung this morning. The world doesn’t like it when we are effective for Christ so they attack. Glad Ed built on THE ROCK!" [From this source; italics mine] I have no problem with this man or anyone who feels led praying for Ed Young. But there is an implication in this statement that Ed Young is only being attacked because he is doing great things for Christ. It couldn't actually be true, could it?

Some pastors and Christian leaders think that they are untouchable -- whether they have insulated themselves systematically, or they are just dictatorial bullies who run roughshod over God's people. Some will smugly quote Psalms 105:15 - "Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm." First, I think this context refers to what God did for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and not preachers at all. Second, just because someone has anointed himself (or herself) does not make him "God's anointed".

As with the Bereans and the preaching of Paul, check things out to see whether they are so. Whether it is doctrines, morals or ethics, no preacher or Christian leader is above biblical judgment. They shouldn't hide behind either "touch not God's anointed" or a "don't worry, folks just don't like it when we are effective for Christ."

Regional news

This is happening right here around us. Not sure whether this is being reported widely.

Monday night (February 8, 2010) two church building fires -- of Dover Baptist Church and Clear Springs Missionary Baptist Church -- happened within an hour and a few miles of each other. This brings to a total of nine deliberately set fires of church buildings in East Texas since January 1, 2010. A church building in Temple in central Texas was also on set fire deliberately, according to the BATF.

2 latest east Texas church fires deemed arson
Map showing location of 7 church fires

Breaking bread

Below is a list of New Testament verses I found with the combination of break/broken/etc. and bread. I have listed them as (1) those that most would agree are the Lord's Supper, (2) those that most would agree are eating, and (3) those that are disputed/not agreed upon. (Of course nothing is always agreed upon by Baptists! Yet.)

Lord's Supper
Matt. 26:26 - And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Mark 14:22 - And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
Luke 22:19 - And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1 Cor. 10:16 - The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1 Cor. 11:23,24 - For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Eating bread
Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
Luke 24:35 - And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
Acts 27:35 - And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

Disputed
Acts 2:42 - And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:46 - And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 20:7 - And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Acts 20:11 - When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

Some residual thoughts from Acts 20:1-13

"Hidden" in the story of Paul and company's trip to Troas are a few little issues that are slightly controversial.

1. Was there a church at Troas?
2. Did the disciples take the Lord's Supper?
3. Did Paul raise Eutychus from the dead?

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight...20:11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

I will discuss the first two together, because they are tied together in the minds of some. For others, this is probably not even a blip on their radar. This text and question is problematic to most Landmarkers, or at least to local-church-only communionists.

For many Baptists, the Lord's Supper is viewed as a church ordinance that should be taken in church capacity. So whether or not there was a church at Troas relates to the Lord's Supper as a church ordinance. For a smaller group of the whole, the Lord's Supper is viewed as a local-church-only church ordinance; that is, only the members of a local church is supposed to take the Lord's Supper together.

Davis Huckabee, in The Ordinances of the Church, puts it this way: "There are several erroneous assumptions about the events of this passage in Acts, viz., (1) That there was ever a church at Troas. (2) That the meal eaten was the Lord’s Supper...(5) That Paul observed the Lord’s Supper with a church of which he was not a member." J. R. Graves, in Intercommunion, Unscriptural and Inconsistent, resolved the issue to his satisfaction by both denying that there was a church at Troas and denying that the Lord's Supper was celebrated by Paul and his companions.

But the language of Acts 20 seems to indicate Eutychus, not a traveling companion (cf. v 4), was a disciple who was listening to Paul's speech, and that there were others there who were comforted by his being alive. The motivation for a drawn-out service on the eve of their departure was very likely that there were disciples in Troas they expected to see no more (cf. v. 25). This is not conclusive, but causes one to wonder whether some expositions are not driven more by assumptions outside the text.

Acts 20:9-10 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him...12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

In A Dictionary of the Bible by W. R. F. Browning, it is written that Eutychus fell from an upstairs window and that "Paul was able to assure the company that he was not fatally injured." Some think the language -- especially of Paul in v. 10 -- indicate that the people just thought he was dead and Paul discovered he was still alive.

I personally see the words "taken up dead" as meaning he was actually dead, and Paul brought him back to life. Some may want to deny miracles and resurrection by saying Eutychus wasn't dead. But others believe in the power of God and are simply trying to understand the words of the Bible. Whether Eutychus was alive or dead, we see that God has the power to either keep alive to raise back to life.

[Note: An interesting take on these two points is found in the writing of Jonathan Teram, who assures us, "Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday and broke bread with his disciples (Luke 24:30). In Troas, Eutychus was raised from the dead, then the disciples broke bread with each other."]

Follow-up of residual thoughts: possibilities at Troas.

Was there a church at Troas? Did they partake the Lord's Supper?

No church?
1.a. There was no church in Troas and the disciples gathered for a "potluck" meal together and worshiped together.
1.b. There was no church in Troas and the disciples gathered for a "potluck" meal together, observed the Lord's Supper and worshiped together.
1.c. There was no church in Troas and the disciples observed the Lord's Supper and worshiped together.

Church?
2.a. There was a church in Troas and the traveling disciples gathered with the church for a "potluck" meal together and worshiped together.
2.b. There was a church in Troas and the traveling disciples gathered with the church for a "potluck" meal together, observed the Lord's Supper and worshiped together.
2.c. There was a church in Troas and the traveling disciples gathered with the church, observed the Lord's Supper and worshiped together.

Prayer quote - Manton

"Every prayer is an acknowledgment of our weakness and dependence. Who would ask that of another which he thinketh to be in his own power?" -- Thomas Manton

Acts 20:1-12, brief thoughts

From Ephesus, Paul went to Macedonia and Achaia/Greece, then over to Asia. Some of the disciples had gone ahead and were already there when he (and at least Luke) arrived five days later. After spending about a week there, they continued on their journey.

"We are laborers together"
Acts 20:4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

It may be that many of us emphasize Paul so much that we forget that on most occasions he had traveling companions who labored and ministered with him. Verse 4 names those who went before him into Asia. Paul was an apostle, and fulfilled the ministry God gave him. But let us also remember that all have gifts differing according to the grace that is given to them and the Spirit of God gives to every man as He will. Thus, all to whom this grace is given are "laborers together with God". Therefore we ought not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. Verse 4 reminds us that God calls each to his own calling, and each should fulfill that calling (and labor together with God).

"Not forsaking the assembling"
Act 20:7 begins "...upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together..." Regardless of their travels, the disciples took time to come together, worship together, study together, break bread together. The manner of some may be to forsake assembling. But a church IS an assembly; she should assemble. We do so for the good of ourselves and for one another. Some dictatorial pastors press this upon their members as a burden to bear -- be here every time the doors are open, don't be on vacation on Sunday, don't, don't, don't (and then they schedule their vacations and are gone). But the Lord's people have a desire to see one another, to assemble on the first day of the week and exhort one another, edify one another, teach one another. Verse 7 reminds us to come together.

Jesus baptized not

Eld. Wayne Gregory:

John 4:1-3 reads: "When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee."

I am persuaded that the Spirit revealed that Jesus did not personally baptize in water except through his disciples for two reasons:

First, for the glory of Christ: John the Baptist declared: Luke 3:16, 17 “I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.” It seems reasonable to me that Christ had a superior baptism to give that no other would or could perform. Clearly this event occurred later and is recorded along with its effects for us in the book of Acts 2. It was Christ’s baptism. He was the administrator of it alone; the element, which was used by Christ, was not water, but the Holy Ghost; and the recipient was the living organism of which Christ is Founder and Head – the church, which was the visible evidence of Mt. Zion, God’s dwelling place. This superior baptism with or in the Spirit seems to agree with the statement that Christ was far superior to John who baptized with (in) water. As truly as never a man spoke as Christ, never a man baptized as Christ, and that includes John the Baptist.

Second, for the comfort of His people: It appears to me that this emphasis of Christ not personally baptizing the disciples in water was for the peace and comfort of all who would follow after and teaches that baptism in water was to be and indeed continued to be performed by the disciples under Christ’s headship and direction. Brethren, had Christ baptized any in water, I would consider mine a poor substitute for that. In fact, I would forever be in great doubt whether I was baptized at all or had obeyed Christ’s positive command. Now, because I am taught here that the disciples baptized, not Christ, I can take some comfort that the baptism I have received is acceptable to Him being administered by one authorized by Christ also.

[By Wayne Gregory, in "Two Requests", Predestinarian Forum, February 1, 2010]

Think about it

"Moving from culture-at-large to church culture, a Cowboy Church movement has arisen largely because the standard Southern Baptist church culture has almost nothing Southern about it. The music is Rock, the marketing is Madison Avenue, the platform dress is Abercrombie & Fitch, and the A-V technology is Times Square.

"What's Southern about that?"

The above quote is taken from If Heaven Ain't A Lot Like Dixie? by Bart Barber, which you can read for the larger context. If you're not Southern Baptist, this may not grab you the same way as it will someone who is Southern Baptist. Nevertheless, this is an interesting conjecture about the rise and popularity of the "Cowboy Church". Is part of it because modern churches make themselves over into something that is foreign to their culture? Just wondering.

Confidence

Below is one of many John Newton hymns I've never read before. I find much in it which touches my situation. Especially did I feel "Ere he called me well he knew, What a heart like mine would do" and especially do I love "I have sinned, but thou hast died: This is all I have to plead, This is all the plea I need!"

Confidence.

Yes! since God himself has said it,
On the promise I rely;
His good word demands my credit,
What can unbelief reply?
He is strong and can fulfill,
He is truth and therefore will.

As to all the doubts and questions,
Which my spirit often grieve,
These are Satan's sly suggestions,
And I need no answer give;
He would fain destroy my hope,
But the promise bears it up.

Sure the LORD thus far has brought me
By his watchful tender care;
Sure 'tis he himself has taught me
How to seek his face by prayer:
After so much mercy past,
Will he give me up at last?

True, I've been a foolish creature;
And have sinned against his grace;
But forgiveness is his nature,
Though he justly hides his face:
Ere he called me well he knew,
Isa 48:8
What a heart like mine would do.

In my Savior's intercession
Therefore I will still confide;
LORD accept my free contrition,
I have sinned, but thou hast died:
Rom 8:34
This is all I have to plead,
This is all the plea I need.

John Newton (1725-1807)
Olney Hymns, 1779

Anointing with oil, reprise

Back in 2006, I posted a brief essay on anointing with oil. I entered into a brief discussion of it recently on Adrian Neal’s blog. A preacher brother there set forth some views against symbolic oil and favoring medicinal oil. Rather than making extended posts there, I have brought most of my rebuttal here to my own blog. The following italicized quotes are from two different posts on Brother Neal’s blog (which can be viewed at the above link).

History seems to show that families did not have every-day pediatricians or family doctors. Instead, their pastors acted in a medicinal sense. Historical references show early church bishops as the family "doctor". Not that he was trained in the arts of medicine (if you can call what they did back in that day medicine). But rather that physicians were not common for people that were not rich. The bishop did often assume this roll, since he was called for when someone was sick.

If you have found some references that show early bishops acting as the family doctor, I have no argument with that. Probably some of them were doctors (consider Luke of NT times, and John Clarke of Rhode Island). Perhaps some were not. Such historical occurrences do not govern the interpretation of James 5:14-15. Ultimately it is the Bible, not history, which is inspired, accurate and authoritative. Were doctors common and affordable? Were doctors reliable? Job’s expression in the reply to his friends (13:4 physicians of no value) implies there were also physicians of some value. Statements such as in Jeremiah 8:22 and Matthew 9:12 also imply that the sick finding a physician – and being healed – was not that unusual. And Jesus surely wouldn’t recommend that the sick need physicians if all physicians in that day were quacks. Surely Luke wasn’t, but was rather a beloved one (Colossians 4:14).

Back then, oils were some of, if not the only, medicines they had that actually helped. Similar to a Vicks Vapor rub, different kinds of oils had different effects. Different herbs were crushed and mixed into the different oils. Thus, when someone was sick, they would call for the pastor. He would pray for them, but also anoint them with the oils for healing.
There were different kinds of oils and oil mixtures used for different purposes. Some soothing of skin, some soothing of muscles, some keeping pests out, some for constant inhalation (like Vicks Vapor Rub today).

If the medicinal interpretation of James 5:14-15 is correct, then surely oil is the universal medicine. But again, both history and the Bible show that oil was not the universal medicine, however good it may be. Quacks or no, doctors living in the early New Testament period not only used oils, but even performed surgeries. In an entirely makeshift situation, the Good Samaritan did not use oil alone, but poured oil and wine into the wounds of the man beaten by thieves. As to different kinds of oils, historically I don’t question that different oils and different herbs were used medicinally. That is still true today. But, where, oh where, do we find the different oils and herbs in James 5:14-15? There are no herbs there, and the oil is probably only olive oil, since the Greek word ἐλαίῳ (olive oil) is used.

The pastors carried the oils with them when called. Indeed the sick were healed by the LORD, but it shows that God doesn't disagree with church members relying on Him, and at the same time using soothing medicines. Thus, take a little wine for thy stomach sake, right? If God just wanted people to be anointed with some symbolic oil and wait for healing, then why would He command this of Timothy?

There was and is no argument from me against using medicines. I just don’t believe that medicine is what is in view in James 5:14-15. I do believe the medicinal value of the wine is in view in I Timothy 5:23.

We have no other place in the Bible oil was used for magical healing, or for pastoral prayers.

We find other places where oil was used for anointing; more than where it was used for medicine. One specifically connected to healing is Mark 6:13. And no one has suggested any “magical” healing here – unless you suppose God healing in answer to prayer is “magic”. Does God heal people we pray for, whether or not they use medicine? If not, why do we pray for the sick? Just go to the doctor and be done with it.

This type of interpretation that the oil was NOT medicinal would seem to ALSO take away from the idea that God is the one who heals. As a matter of fact, it would seem to suggest one must have the oil for God to do the healing.

But, in fact, it is only in a medical interpretation that the oil has any effect on healing. In a symbolic interpretation it is only symbolic. It produces no effect. It only answers to simple obedience to a literal reading of the Scripture. This idea which you foist upon my interpretation, I suspect you are not willing to apply to your own. That is, that one must have the oil for God to do the healing. If this logic “must” applies to the text, then you are pierced by the horns of your own dilemma. One must use medicine for God to do the healing. If not, why not?

Why not? Because either way is an anemic look at only one incident in the whole of Scripture. The whole Scripture gives the full look at the subject of God healing. I would sum it up roughly by saying God does not object to the use of medicine (cf. Luke 5:31), but that it is sinful to rely on doctors to the exclusion of faith in God (cf. II Chronicles 16:12).

An interesting observation of the medicinal interpretation of James 5:14-15 is this: Of all those who assert this interpretation, I have not yet seen even one obey it. I do not know of a single Baptist who has asked pastors and come rub oil and herbs on them while they pray for them. Oh, you say, I don’t really believe it means that. Do tell.

[Note: some uses of oil that I find in the Bible – offering, fuel for light, anointing, food/cooking, ointment, gift or payment/barter, product to sell, purification, perfume, moisturizer, medicine. The most references seem to be anointing; there is a lot concerning light, offerings and food – and the symbolic representation of wealth, God’s pleasure on His people – but not that much about medicinal use, it would seem to me.]

Acts 19:21--20:1

Ephesus was an important city in Asia Minor, a center of the goddess Diana. Paul spent nearly three years there (cf. 19:8,10; Acts 20:31). The church in Ephesus was prominent among those seven to whom the apostle John wrote. According to John Gill, the temple of Diana at Ephesus "was about seven furlongs distant from the city, and was 425 feet long, and 220 feet broad, and had in it 127 pillars, 60 feet high." It is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

"Other sheep have I" Acts 19:21-22
19:21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome...

Follow the Lord. Paul was following the Lord in Ephesus, but he was determined to follow wherever he led. Too often the conservative Christian falls into the ease of believing all of the work God is doing right where he is. There is an old bromide that caricatures the sectarian Christian's prayer: "God bless me, my wife, my son, his wife, us four no more. Amen." Even if God has established us in the place where we are, let us never sing the refrain of Elijah, “I, even only I, remain a prophet of the Lord.” Hear God thunder, “Other sheep have I. I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal.

"For the love of money" 19:23-27
19:25 Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

“Follow the money” is an oft-stated expression. By following the money we often find the root cause of the thing that befuddles us. Demetrius had a keen mind. Though Paul had not directly taken on Diana (cf. v. 37), but rather preached Jesus. But Demetrius understood that a people who did not believe in gods made with hands would not need craftsmen who made gods with their hands. There was a sure economic downsizing coming to the silversmiths if this new religion caught a foothold in Asia Minor. Though Demetrius also appealed to their religion and their pride (cf. v. 27), the foundation of the objection was money. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

"Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" 19:28-34
19:29 And the whole city was filled with confusion...32 and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

Follow the crowd. Get on the bandwagon. From religion to politics to mobs to fads, folks get caught up in what the crowd is doing. The shout “Great is Diana of the Ephesians” became a horrendous din in which most participated but few understood. For two hours this went on, though “the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.”

"He by his wisdom delivered the city" 19:35-41
19:35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people...41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Follow good sense. Nothing in the text indicates that the townclerk was a Christian. But he was a man of prudence and common sense. He got an audience and reasoned with them. He championed the stability of Diana in Ephesus; he questioned the wisdom of rash action; he the deportment of the Christians; he recommended legal if there was a legitimate cause; and he warned the people of the trouble they could be bringing on themselves. Through his actions the mob was dispersed.

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver" 20:1
20:1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

Follow the Lord. We know all things work together for good to them that love the Lord. Many and varied are the ways the Lord delivers his people. Some through the fire, some through the flood. When God delivered Paul in Philippi (16:25-26), it was the earthquake He wielded. When God delivered Paul in Ephesus, it was an official of the city of Ephesus who did God’s bidding. When God finally delivered Paul in Rome (II Tim 4:6,18), it was the hand of death by which he became absent from the body and present with the Lord. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. Amen.

Paul's voyage

Paul's voyage. Acts 27

If Paul in Caesar's court must stand,
He need not fear the sea;
Secured from harm, on every hand,
By the divine decree.

Although the ship, in which he sailed,
By dreadful storms was tossed;
The promise over all prevailed,
And not a life was lost.

Jesus! the GOD whom Paul adored,
Who saves in time of need;
Was then confessed, by all on board,
A present help indeed!

Though neither sun nor stars were seen
Paul knew the Lord was near;
And faith preserved his soul serene,
When others shook for fear.

Believers thus are tossed about
On life's tempestuous main;
But grace assures, beyond a doubt,
They shall their port attain.

They must, they shall, appear one day,
Before their Savior's throne;
The storms they meet with by the way,
But make his power known.

Their passage lies across the brink
Of many a threat'ning wave;
The world expects to see them sink,
But JESUS lives to save.

Lord, though we are but feeble worms,
Yet since thy word is past;
We'll venture through a thousand storms,
To see thy face at last.

John Newton (1725-1807)
Olney Hymns, 1779

Consistency thou art a jewel

I don't know anything about figure skater Johnny Weir, but I find his answer to "Friends of Animals" interesting. FOA recently posted an open letter to Weir. They criticized his having fox fur on one of his costumes that he skated in, and asked him to stop wearing fur.

According to AP News Writer Nancy Armour, "Weir said he understands the groups’ objections, but he doesn’t share their point of view."

I particularly liked this comment: "Every skater is wearing skates made out of cow," Weir said. "Maybe I’m wearing a cute little fox while everyone else is wearing cow, but we’re all still wearing animals."

Will you comb gray hair?

From In Memory Of Major Robert Gregory by William Butler Yeats

XI
Some burn damp faggots, others may consume
The entire combustible world in one small room
As though dried straw, and if we turn about
The bare chimney is gone black out
Because the work had finished in that flare.
Soldier, scholar, horseman, he,
As 'twere all life's epitome.
What made us dream that he could comb grey hair?

Probably most live as if we expect to "comb gray hair", but we know not what shall be tomorrow.

The secret chord

Not a lot of rhyme or reason for the following. I am just intrigued by some of Cohen's expressions in this stanza of "Hallelujah".

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

From "Hallelujah" by Leonard Norman Cohen

Constitution town hall

Hillsdale College is involved in educating Americans about the Constitution. Their Hillsdale College Constitution Town Hall looks like an interesting possibility for those who would like to learn more. It will be held Saturday, January 30, 2010, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm EST. Though the in-person event is full, you can register to see it free online.

The "god" of the 20th century

"The 'god' of this twentieth century no more resembles the Supreme Sovereign of Holy Writ than does the dim flickering of a candle the glory of the midday sun . The 'god' who is now talked about in the average pulpit, spoken of in the ordinary Sunday School, mentioned in much of the religious literature of the day, and preached in most of the so-called Bible Conferences is the figment of human imagination, an invention of maudlin sentimentality. The heathen outside the pale of Christendom form 'gods' out of wood and stone, while millions of heathen inside Christendom manufacture a 'god' out of their own carnal mind . In reality, they are but atheists, for there is no other possible alternative between an absolutely supreme God, and no God at all . A 'god' whose will is resisted, whose designs are frustrated, whose purpose is checkmated, possesses no title to Deity, and so far from being a fit object of worship, merits nought but contempt ." -- (Arthur W. Pink)

Jimmy crack corn and I don't care

...what New Zealand and Australia does. But surely this is one the most ridiculous distractions I've heard. Trijicon Inc., a manufacturer of optical sighting devices for firearms, quietly and without a flap chooses to include an encoded biblical reference in their serial numbers. How sinister!!!!!(possibly thinks ABC) And certainly it is a violation of the Constitution (so says Michael Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation)!!!!! At best it could only violate a military rule against proselytizing of any religion in Iraq or Afghanistan. But even that is ridiculous. If so, better ban the sand and the stars. If one is prone to proselyte, he could use those too.

"Markings included 'JN8:12', a reference to John 8:12: 'Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life,' according to the King James version of the Bible.

"The Trijicon Reflex sight is stamped with 2COR4:6, a reference to part of the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians: 'For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,' the King James version reads...

"Trijicon said it has been long-standing company practice to put the Scripture citations on the equipment. Tom Munson, Trijicon's director of sales and marketing, said the company had never received complaints until now.

"'We don't publicize this,' Munson said in a recent interview. 'It's not something we make a big deal out of. But when asked, we say, 'Yes, it's there.'

"Trijicon said biblical references were first put on the sites nearly 30 years ago by the company founder, Glyn Bindon, who was killed in a plane crash in 2003. His son Stephen, Trijicon's president, continued the practice.

"The references have stoked concerns by critics in the U.S. about whether they break a government rule that bars proselytizing by American troops. But U.S. military officials said the citations don't violate the ban and they won't stop using the tens of thousands of telescoping sights that have already been bought." -- Above quotations from NZ army to remove Bible citations from armaments

This is not something this company started in order to slip the Bible into Muslim countries. It is something they've been doing 30 years. I don't care what New Zealand and Australia does. But Daily News says that the Marine Corps is reconsidering its contract with Trijicon. If Kristian Dunne is correct in saying Trijicon sights are the best of their kind, then it would be unthinkable for the Marine Corps to send their men out into combat with anything less. If Trijicon decides to remove the inscriptions from future military orders of the gun sights, that's their business. If the U.S. military, executive and legislative branches, etc. want to send the troops out with less than the best because of this lunacy, they all ought to be removed from office!

[Note: this article does not delve into the question of whether we ought to be shooting people, but simply comments on political correctness run amok in reference to something we are already doing.]

Where you can't scratch

Acnestis - noun: The part of the body where one cannot reach to scratch.

Massachusetts race

In a race to fill the U.S. Senate seat of deceased Democrat Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, the Republican contender Scott Brown has pulled off an upset victory over Martha Coakley. Is this a matter of a well-run campaign succeeding over a poorly-run campaign? Is Brown a charismatic individual whose excitement captured the imaginations of Massachusites? Is this a "referendum" on national health care, of which Kennedy was a chief proponent and Brown passionately opposes? All of the above? None of the above?

Democrats seek back footing after epic loss in Massachusetts election

Guidelines

Thanks for visiting Seeking the Old Paths. I welcome interaction from our readers. I’d like to hear your perspective. I try to run a “free speech” blog so folks can exchange their ideas without fear of being censored or blocked. But a few “rules” are in order. Please keep the following in mind:

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Thoughts on MLK Day

These thoughts are not actually about the day itself, but thoughts I have that happen to be taking place on this day.

A few days ago our local paper carried an article about the United States Census Bureau -- particularly how one attempt to be inclusive backfired on them. To give inclusive choices to black Americans to identify themselves, the 2010 Census offers "Black", "African-American" and "Negro".

Some politicians, activists and community leaders have objected to the use of the word "Negro" on the 2010 census and want the bureau to scrap the forms and issue new ones -- in spite of its approval by the African-American Advisory Committee and the fact that over 55,000 persons wrote in "Negro" on the 2000 census. Though Quanell X, a Houston TX activist, says, "We have evolved beyond the word 'Negro'," it is clear we have not -- neither the census bureau nor thousands of black Americans.

I think it is a good thing to identify people by a term that is not offensive to them. But the problem is that quite a few black Americans self-identify as "Negro" and apparently prefer the term. What about their opinions? A retired highly-respected local educator whom I have known for many years recently wrote, "I am an American Negro and not an African-American." I think his view should be respected as well as Quanell X's.

While on the general subject, Russell Moore's Why King’s Dream Overcame “Christian” White Supremacy is quite interesting.

Seeing out -- books and windows

A house without books is like a room without windows. -- Copied, author unknown

The law and gospel

HYMN 120
S. M.

The law and gospel joined in Scripture.

The Lord declares his will,
And keeps the world in awe;
Amidst the smoke on Sinai's hill
Breaks out his fiery law.

The Lord reveals his face,
And smiling from above,
Sends down the gospel of his grace,
Th' epistles of his love.

These sacred words impart
Our Maker's just commands;
The pity of his melting heart,
And vengeance of his hands.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II, 1707

County Line Singing

Tomorrow (d.v.), we will hold a County Line Sacred Harp Singing at County Line Primitive Baptist Church on the County Line Road (FM 3081) near Cut and Shoot, Texas. Click on the link above for more information and directions.

Come one, come all.

Wesley at Warrington

"Friday 6, [1781] I went to Alpringham, and preached the funeral sermon of good old sister Cawley. She has been indeed a mother in Israel; a pattern of all good works. Saturday 7, at noon, I preached at Preston-on-the-Hill, and in the evening at Warrington. Sunday 8, the service was at the usual hours. I came just in time to put a stop to a bad custom, which was creeping in here. A few men who had fine voices sang a psalm which no one knew, in a tune fit for an Opera, wherein three, four, or five persons sung different words at the same time! What an insult upon common sense! What a burlesque upon public worship! No custom can excuse such a mixture of profaneness and absurdity." -- The Works of the Rev. John Wesley, Volume 5, By John Wesley, London: Conference Office, 1810, pp. 330-331

I guess Wesley didn't like fuging tunes!

Various hymns

I don't have the original sources of the following:

No. 1

Have you heard the trumpet sounding?
Have you heard the angel’s call?
Flee from sin and sect confusion,
Come to Zion, one and all.

Hear that voice from heaven, brother,
Heed the warning, come today;
Leave the names and creeds of Bab'lon,
Take the holy Bible way.

No. 2

Though great our sins and sore our woes,
His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows,
Our utmost need it soundeth.
Our Shepherd good and true is He,
Who will at last His Israel free.
From all their sin and sorrow.

Hark! a voice divides the sky,
Happy are the faithful dead!
In the Lord who sweetly die,
They from all their toils are freed;
Them the Spirit hath declared
Blest, unutterably blest;
Jesus is their great reward,
Jesus is their endless rest.

God is our refuge in distress,
A present help when dangers press:
In him undaunted we'll confide:
Though earth were from her center tossed,
And mountains in the ocean lost,
Torn piecemeal by the roaring tide.

Haller Nutt

"Longwood is frozen in time, its future unrealized, unknown."

Last week while in Mississippi, we visited the Longwood Plantation at Natchez. The house was conceived by wealthy cotton planter Dr. Haller Nutt and designed by Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan. It is unique for several reasons. It is the largest octagonal house in the United States (and maybe they said North America). Unlike most plantations, it is styled after an "oriental villa" and possibly looked out of place in the antebellum South. When the war began in 1861, the northern artisans laid down their tools and went home. Even to this day, only the basement of the home is finished.

The home tells a somewhat sad story of its owners, but also tells some of the complicated story of the war between the Northern Union and Southern Confederacy. To many it is a simple story of slavery versus freedom. But consider Haller Nutt who, like many planters who thrived in the slave-based economy, opposed Mississippi's secession from the United States. Not only that, he also refused to support the Confederacy when the state seceded. Even as the Union army invaded Mississippi, he welcomed their presence.

"During the war between the states [Haller Nutt] was known to be unmistakenly not only an opponent of secession and of the Southern Confederacy, but absolutely devoted to the Union and the cause of the federal government. He was so devoted, and to such an extent, that he welcomed the invasion of the Union armies." The property of Nutt was placed under "safeguard" by the Union commanders. But their subordinates, partly due to the reality of war and partly due to its excesses, did not maintain the safeguard and much supplies and property were used, destroyed or vandalized. -- The Southern Report, Volume 36, March 26--July 23, 1904 St. Paul: West Publishing Co. 1904, p. 248

The northern invasion and ultimate victory proved the financial ruin of Nutt, who is said to have pined away in his unfinished home until he died on June 16, 1864. His wife Julia blamed her husband's death on "Union indifference and treachery", and actually won a small claim against them and recovered a small amount of money.

(Much information from Natchez, Mississippi: Past, Present, Perfect by Martin Northway)

Short Baptist history

In the lower right hand corner of The Reapers Christian Literature & Evangelistic Tracts home page, there are 6 links to mini-infos of seven American Baptist preachers -- Elias Keach, David Jones, Isaac Backus, Daniel Marshall, Luther Rice, John Clarke & Obadiah Holmes.

Annoyances

I suppose all of us have our little annoyances, pet peeves that get us going. Here are a few of mine. What are some of yours?

Without music. On the NBC a cappella singing competition "The Sing-Off", one of the judges described one group's performance as "totally without music" (or something like that). Wrong. You don't need instruments to have music. Unaccompanied singing voices is music too.
Tradition smadition. Sometimes it is annoying to hear folks parroting the traditional tradition line of one Sacred Harp book over another, or one area's practices over another. Tradition is good; I approve of it. But, in fact, all have changed some.
Get your decades right. Just as many didn't figure out that the new millennium began on January 1, 2001 rather than January 1, 2000, it seems some think we just concluding the first decade of this new millennium -- for example, 50 most popular names of the decade. Wrong. There was no "O" year, so decade combinations run from 1 to 10, not 0 to 9.
Hot water heater? If the water were hot, you wouldn't need a heater!!
I forgot. AND my number one pet peeve -- the fact that increasingly I can't remember names, things, places.

Ephesus

EPHESUS. Rev 2:1-7

Thus saith the LORD to Ephesus,
And thus he speaks to some of us;
"Amidst my churches, lo, I stand,
And hold the pastors in my hand.

Thy works, to me, are fully known,
Thy patience, and thy toil, I own;
Thy views of gospel truth are clear,
Nor canst thou other doctrine bear.

Yet I must blame while I approve,
Where is thy first, thy fervent love?
Dost thou forget my love to thee,
That thine is grown so faint to me?

Recall to mind the happy days
When thou wast filled with joy and praise;
Repent, thy former works renew,
Then I'll restore thy comforts too.

Return at once, when I reprove,
Lest I thy candlestick remove;
And thou, too late, thy loss lament;
I warn before I strike, Repent."

Hearken to what the Spirit saith,
To him that overcomes by faith;
"The fruit of life's unfading tree,
In paradise his food shall be."

John Newton (1725-1807)
Olney Hymns, 1779

Honour of the world

"The eagle-eye of faith can look through all the pageantry of the world, and the mists and clouds of time, to the future state, the judgement that shall be made of things. To a believer's eye all the honour of the world is but a fancy and vain appearance, a scene in which a base fellow acteth the part of a prince." -- Thomas Manton

Getting it right

One of my chief disappointments in the past ten or so years has been seeing the Republican party candidates parrot the grass roots agendas of smaller government and so forth, only to get in office and vote some other way (and for Republicans to support them no matter what). Maybe some of the leaders now see that is a problem, too?

"We must support Republican officials who assert these principles," he writes. "When elected Republicans vote against Republican principles, the voters must withhold their support — withhold it vigorously and consistently." -- Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele in his book Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda

I say, no, I shout

epanorthosis noun: The immediate rephrasing of something said in order to correct it or to make it stronger. Usually indicated by: no, nay, rather, I mean, etc.
Example: I've warned you a thousand, no, a million times.

Time how swift

While with ceaseless course the sun
Hasted through the former year,
Many souls their race have run,
Never more to meet us here
Fixed in an eternal fate,
They have done with all below;
We a little longer wait,
But how little--none can know.

John Newton (1725-1807)
Olney Hymns, 1779