Warning before the Superbowl
Do you watch too much T.V.? How much is too
much? Let John Piper share some thoughts with you.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Fender Bender
9 days ago we had a fender-bender. I was pretty steamed at first, but looking back on it now, I praise God that he spared us from injury and greater damage. OK, I confess, at first I was downright angry!
When bad things happen, sometimes it is hard to think clearly and with eyes on God's sovereignty. We love to praise God's control when things are going great. But in difficulties, if we will look at the situation through the lens of Romans 8:28, we remember that they also come for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. What a tremendous thing! What grace that we were spared big damages, injuries and death. Maki and I deserved these, as sinners, but God spared them. He loves us.
As I thought through it, God alone knows what is best, and He gives it at every moment. If we were to die, that too would be the best plan, because it would be God's plan. Don't ask me if I could write this if Maki alone died - I am not super-man, but I pray that I would eventually be able to someday write something like this.
Going back to the accident, sin and carelessness is real and I am responsible for my faults, but even in this God wants to teach us things. He is not limited by our inabilities. He works through us and in us "to act and will according to His good purpose." - Phil 2:13
Through this we saw God's grace and also His humbling hand. (2 Cor. 12:7-10)
"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." - Jude 24,25
9 days ago we had a fender-bender. I was pretty steamed at first, but looking back on it now, I praise God that he spared us from injury and greater damage. OK, I confess, at first I was downright angry!
When bad things happen, sometimes it is hard to think clearly and with eyes on God's sovereignty. We love to praise God's control when things are going great. But in difficulties, if we will look at the situation through the lens of Romans 8:28, we remember that they also come for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. What a tremendous thing! What grace that we were spared big damages, injuries and death. Maki and I deserved these, as sinners, but God spared them. He loves us.
As I thought through it, God alone knows what is best, and He gives it at every moment. If we were to die, that too would be the best plan, because it would be God's plan. Don't ask me if I could write this if Maki alone died - I am not super-man, but I pray that I would eventually be able to someday write something like this.
Going back to the accident, sin and carelessness is real and I am responsible for my faults, but even in this God wants to teach us things. He is not limited by our inabilities. He works through us and in us "to act and will according to His good purpose." - Phil 2:13
Through this we saw God's grace and also His humbling hand. (2 Cor. 12:7-10)
"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." - Jude 24,25
Grudem on God's Providence
Interesting and Free MP3 files - Wayne Grudem is the man who
had the greatest impact on my view of God's sovereignty and providence.
Interesting and Free MP3 files - Wayne Grudem is the man who
had the greatest impact on my view of God's sovereignty and providence.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
The Pleasures of God in Election
Click here to find out why we can boast in only One.
Praise God that Biblical election eliminates pride and
insecurity .
Click here to read about a great new resource about divine election.
My friend Justin Taylor says,
"Divine election is certainly one of the more profound—and controversial—doctrines in the Bible. Does God elect people because they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, or does God elect people in order that they will believe in Christ? Much of the disagreement and controversy concerning this doctrine proceeds from a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means."
Click here to find out why we can boast in only One.
Praise God that Biblical election eliminates pride and
insecurity .
Click here to read about a great new resource about divine election.
My friend Justin Taylor says,
"Divine election is certainly one of the more profound—and controversial—doctrines in the Bible. Does God elect people because they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, or does God elect people in order that they will believe in Christ? Much of the disagreement and controversy concerning this doctrine proceeds from a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means."
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Godly Hedonism by St. Augustine
"...by spurning earthly happiness I would clear in my life to search for
wisdom; yet even to seek it, let alone find it, would have been more
rewarding than discovery of treasure or possession of all this world's
kingdoms, or having every bodily pleasure at my beck and call."
"But what am I loving when I love You? Not beauty of body nor
transient grace, not this fair light which is now so friendly to my
eyes, not melodious song in all its lovely harmonies, not the sweet
fragrance of flowers or ointments or spices, not manna or honey,
not limbs that draw me to carnal embrace: none of these do I love
when I love my God. And yet I do love a kind of light, a kind of voice,
a certain fragrance, food and embrace, when I love my God: a light,
voice, fragrance food and embrace for my inmost self, where some-
thing limited to no place shines into my mind, where something not
snatched away by passing time sings for me, where something no
breath blows away yields to me it scent, where there is savor
undiminished by famished eating, and where I am clasped in a union
from which no satiety can tear me away. This is what I love, when I
love my God."
click here for a great message on Augustine's life and thought by
John Piper.
"...by spurning earthly happiness I would clear in my life to search for
wisdom; yet even to seek it, let alone find it, would have been more
rewarding than discovery of treasure or possession of all this world's
kingdoms, or having every bodily pleasure at my beck and call."
"But what am I loving when I love You? Not beauty of body nor
transient grace, not this fair light which is now so friendly to my
eyes, not melodious song in all its lovely harmonies, not the sweet
fragrance of flowers or ointments or spices, not manna or honey,
not limbs that draw me to carnal embrace: none of these do I love
when I love my God. And yet I do love a kind of light, a kind of voice,
a certain fragrance, food and embrace, when I love my God: a light,
voice, fragrance food and embrace for my inmost self, where some-
thing limited to no place shines into my mind, where something not
snatched away by passing time sings for me, where something no
breath blows away yields to me it scent, where there is savor
undiminished by famished eating, and where I am clasped in a union
from which no satiety can tear me away. This is what I love, when I
love my God."
click here for a great message on Augustine's life and thought by
John Piper.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Getting ready for the Amazing Grace movie
You may find this a good read in preparation for the
new movie, "Amazing Grace". Wilberforce was the
man largely responsible for taking down slavery in
England.
"When Wilberforce was twenty-five years old, the
whole direction of his life changed, not because of some new
political appointment but because of a spiritual conversion
that was so dramatic that he initially considered leaving
Parliament to become a clergyman. Fortunately, a wise men-
tor, simply called “Old Newton” by Wilberforce, advised him
against such a career change and urged him to remain in the
House of Commons serving God through politics.
“Old Newton” was John Newton, the reformed slave ship
captain who had become a minister in the Church of England,
an author and writer of legendary hymns such as Amazing
Grace, and a leader of the growing evangelical movement in
eighteenth-century England."
Read the free book here.
You may find this a good read in preparation for the
new movie, "Amazing Grace". Wilberforce was the
man largely responsible for taking down slavery in
England.
"When Wilberforce was twenty-five years old, the
whole direction of his life changed, not because of some new
political appointment but because of a spiritual conversion
that was so dramatic that he initially considered leaving
Parliament to become a clergyman. Fortunately, a wise men-
tor, simply called “Old Newton” by Wilberforce, advised him
against such a career change and urged him to remain in the
House of Commons serving God through politics.
“Old Newton” was John Newton, the reformed slave ship
captain who had become a minister in the Church of England,
an author and writer of legendary hymns such as Amazing
Grace, and a leader of the growing evangelical movement in
eighteenth-century England."
Read the free book here.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
Is Your God too Small?
"If there is a God, it's going to be a whole lot bigger and a whole lot more incomprehensible than anything that any theologian of any religion has ever proposed." - Richard Dawkins
Are we as Christians talking about God in the right way?
"Richard Dawkins, has just come out with The God Delusion (Houghton Mifflin), the rare volume whose position is so clear it forgoes a subtitle. The five-week New York Times best seller (now at No. 8) attacks faith philosophically and historically as well as scientifically, but leans heavily on Darwinian theory, which was Dawkins' expertise as a young scientist and more recently as an explicator of evolutionary psychology so lucid that he occupies the Charles Simonyi professorship for the public understanding of science at Oxford University."
Read an interesting exchange between Richard Dawkins and Francis Collins (theist) here.
By the way, I wonder what Dawkins would say to this. - This, I believe, is how we need to talk.
"If there is a God, it's going to be a whole lot bigger and a whole lot more incomprehensible than anything that any theologian of any religion has ever proposed." - Richard Dawkins
Are we as Christians talking about God in the right way?
"Richard Dawkins, has just come out with The God Delusion (Houghton Mifflin), the rare volume whose position is so clear it forgoes a subtitle. The five-week New York Times best seller (now at No. 8) attacks faith philosophically and historically as well as scientifically, but leans heavily on Darwinian theory, which was Dawkins' expertise as a young scientist and more recently as an explicator of evolutionary psychology so lucid that he occupies the Charles Simonyi professorship for the public understanding of science at Oxford University."
Read an interesting exchange between Richard Dawkins and Francis Collins (theist) here.
By the way, I wonder what Dawkins would say to this. - This, I believe, is how we need to talk.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Between Two Worlds: Ad Block
Ad Block
Free public service announcement from Between Two Worlds: Adblock Plus is a very, very nice (and free) tool to have. It blocks ads and banners on the web, and therefore can make your web reading more efficient and edifying!
Free public service announcement from Between Two Worlds: Adblock Plus is a very, very nice (and free) tool to have. It blocks ads and banners on the web, and therefore can make your web reading more efficient and edifying!
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Dave Busby
A little guy God used in a BIG way in my life.
"God knows what He is doing." Click here to watch a
5 min. message from Dave.
A little guy God used in a BIG way in my life.
"God knows what He is doing." Click here to watch a
5 min. message from Dave.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Onsen Trip with Maki's family
This was our nice meal
This was our hotel.
Please pray with us for Maki's family. We were so happy to have a good time with 8 family members on this trip. Today, the day after the trip, both of Maki's parents came to chapel together. We learned later that they went to church together in the morning too. In the evening they were playing a board game together. We are excited about what God is doing in their hearts and in their marriage!
This was our nice meal
This was our hotel.
Please pray with us for Maki's family. We were so happy to have a good time with 8 family members on this trip. Today, the day after the trip, both of Maki's parents came to chapel together. We learned later that they went to church together in the morning too. In the evening they were playing a board game together. We are excited about what God is doing in their hearts and in their marriage!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
国際学生大会「パッション２００７」２万人参加へ 日本など１２カ国から
ここをクリックして下さい。
この音楽を聞くためここをクリックして下さい。
Louie GigglioさんのWONDERFUL message click here!
ここをクリックして下さい。
この音楽を聞くためここをクリックして下さい。
Louie GigglioさんのWONDERFUL message click here!
Friday, December 22, 2006
;)
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
The First Christians
CNN brings a quality look at the topic.
Watch here or on T.V. on Dec. 20th in America.
CNN brings a quality look at the topic.
Watch here or on T.V. on Dec. 20th in America.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
I thought I would post this again for my Japanese friends...
I adapted this from John Piper's "A Quest for Joy"
聖書は喜びについて、何と書いてありますか？
すべての人間には、一つの共通点があります。
みんな幸せになりたいということ。喜びが欲しいのです。
なぜなら、こういうふうに造られたからです。
ただ神様しかこの欲望を完全に満たすことはできません。
イエス様の教えの目的（中心）は人のための喜び （神様によって）
ヨハネ１５：１１- 「私がこれらのことをあなたがたに話したのは、私の喜びがあな
たがたのうちにあり、あなたがたの喜びが満たされるためです。」
イエス様を信じる時に神様の喜びは私達の心を満たします。
ローマ１５：１３
『どうか、望みの神が、あなたがたを信仰によるすべての喜びと平和をもって満たし、聖霊の力によって望みにあふれさせてくださいますように。』
神様の御国は喜びです。
ローマ１４：１７『なぜなら、神の国は飲み食いのことではなく、義と平和と聖霊による喜びだからです。』
聖霊様の実の一つは喜びです。
ガラテヤ５：２２『しかし、御霊の実は、愛、喜び、平安、寛容、親切、善意、誠実、柔和、自制です。』
クリスチャンというのは素晴らしい宝物を見つける人です。
マタイ１３：４４『天の御国は、畑に隠された宝のようなものです。人はその宝を見つけると、それを隠しておいて、大喜びで帰り、持ち物を全部売り払ってその畑を買います。』
聖書というのは本当の喜びを見つけることができる本です。
詩編１９：８『主の戒めは正しくて、人の心を喜ばせ、主の仰せはきよくて、ひとの目を明るくする。』
神様こそが私達の喜びです。
詩編４３：４、１６：１１
『こうして、私は神のさいだん、私の最も喜びとする神のみもとに行き、たて琴にあわせて、あなたをほめたたえましょう。神よ。私の神よ。』
『あなたは私に、いのちの道を知らせて下さいます．あなたの御前には喜びが満ち、あなたの右には、楽しみがとこしえにあります。』
イエス様を信じるなら、本当の命と喜びがもらえます。
ヨハネ１０：１０『盗人が来るのは、ただ盗んだり、殺したり、滅ぼしたりするだけのためです．私が来たのは、羊がいのちを得、またそれを豊に持つためです。』
神様は全ての国と民族を呼んで、その喜びを与えたいです。
詩編６７：４、６６：１
『国民が喜び、また、喜びうたいますように。それはあなたが公正をもって国々のたみをさばかれ、地の国民を導かれるからです．』
『全地よ。神にむかって喜び叫べ。』
福音というのはよい（喜びある）知らせです。
イザヤ５１：１１
『主に購われたものたちは帰って来る。彼らはよろこび歌いながらシオンに入り、その頭にはとこしえの喜びをいただく。楽しみとよろこびがついて来、悲しみとなげきとは逃げ去る。』
天国に行ったらイエス様に会って、永遠の喜びに入ります。
マタイ２５：２３
『その主人は彼に言った。『よくやった。良い忠実なしもべだ。あなたは、わずかな物に忠実だったから私はあなたにたくさんの物を任せよう。主人の喜びをともに喜んでくれ。』
唯一、創造主の神様は喜びなさいと命令します。
詩編３７：４、３３：１、３２：１１
『主をおのれの喜びとせよ。主はあなたの心の願いをかなえてくださる。』
『正しい者たち。主にあって、喜び、楽しめ。すべて心の直ぐな人たちよ。喜びの声をあげよ。』
『主のはかりごとはとこしえに立ち、御心の計画は代々に至る。』
聖書の焦点
＃１ 神様の栄光のために人は造られました。
（人は神様の栄光／良さ素晴らしいさを見て、喜ぶこと。）
イザヤ４３：６−７
『わたしは、北に向かって「引き渡せ」と言い、南に向かって「引き止めるな」と言う。わたしの子らを遠くから来させよ。わたしの名で呼ばれるすべての者は、わたしの栄光のために、わたしがこれを創造し、これを形作り、これを造った。』
＃２ 全ての人が唯一の神様のために生きるべきです。
１コリント１０：３１
『こういうわけで、あなたがたは食べるにも、飲むにも、何をするにも、ただ神の栄光を現すためにしなさい。』
＃３ 全ての人は神様の栄光を無視して、自分の神様を作ります。
（罪の意味）
ローマ３：２３
『すべての人は、罪を犯したので、神からの栄光をうけることができず。』
＃４ 全ての人は公平な罰をもらいます。
ローマ６：２３
『罪からくる報酬は死です。しかし、神の下さる賜物は、私達の主キリスト・イエスにある永遠のいのちです。』
＃５ 神様のひとり子を送る理由は人の罰を支払って、永遠の命と喜びを得るためです。
１テモテ１：１５
『「キリスト・イエスは、罪人を救うためにおの世に来られた」という言葉は、まことであり、そのまま受け入れるに値するものです。私はその罪人のかしらです。』
＃６ イエスキリストを受け入れて、信じるなら、救われます。
使徒１６：３１
『ふたりは、「主イエスを信じなさい。そうすれば、あなたもあなたの家族も救われます。」と言った。』
I adapted this from John Piper's "A Quest for Joy"
聖書は喜びについて、何と書いてありますか？
すべての人間には、一つの共通点があります。
みんな幸せになりたいということ。喜びが欲しいのです。
なぜなら、こういうふうに造られたからです。
ただ神様しかこの欲望を完全に満たすことはできません。
イエス様の教えの目的（中心）は人のための喜び （神様によって）
ヨハネ１５：１１- 「私がこれらのことをあなたがたに話したのは、私の喜びがあな
たがたのうちにあり、あなたがたの喜びが満たされるためです。」
イエス様を信じる時に神様の喜びは私達の心を満たします。
ローマ１５：１３
『どうか、望みの神が、あなたがたを信仰によるすべての喜びと平和をもって満たし、聖霊の力によって望みにあふれさせてくださいますように。』
神様の御国は喜びです。
ローマ１４：１７『なぜなら、神の国は飲み食いのことではなく、義と平和と聖霊による喜びだからです。』
聖霊様の実の一つは喜びです。
ガラテヤ５：２２『しかし、御霊の実は、愛、喜び、平安、寛容、親切、善意、誠実、柔和、自制です。』
クリスチャンというのは素晴らしい宝物を見つける人です。
マタイ１３：４４『天の御国は、畑に隠された宝のようなものです。人はその宝を見つけると、それを隠しておいて、大喜びで帰り、持ち物を全部売り払ってその畑を買います。』
聖書というのは本当の喜びを見つけることができる本です。
詩編１９：８『主の戒めは正しくて、人の心を喜ばせ、主の仰せはきよくて、ひとの目を明るくする。』
神様こそが私達の喜びです。
詩編４３：４、１６：１１
『こうして、私は神のさいだん、私の最も喜びとする神のみもとに行き、たて琴にあわせて、あなたをほめたたえましょう。神よ。私の神よ。』
『あなたは私に、いのちの道を知らせて下さいます．あなたの御前には喜びが満ち、あなたの右には、楽しみがとこしえにあります。』
イエス様を信じるなら、本当の命と喜びがもらえます。
ヨハネ１０：１０『盗人が来るのは、ただ盗んだり、殺したり、滅ぼしたりするだけのためです．私が来たのは、羊がいのちを得、またそれを豊に持つためです。』
神様は全ての国と民族を呼んで、その喜びを与えたいです。
詩編６７：４、６６：１
『国民が喜び、また、喜びうたいますように。それはあなたが公正をもって国々のたみをさばかれ、地の国民を導かれるからです．』
『全地よ。神にむかって喜び叫べ。』
福音というのはよい（喜びある）知らせです。
イザヤ５１：１１
『主に購われたものたちは帰って来る。彼らはよろこび歌いながらシオンに入り、その頭にはとこしえの喜びをいただく。楽しみとよろこびがついて来、悲しみとなげきとは逃げ去る。』
天国に行ったらイエス様に会って、永遠の喜びに入ります。
マタイ２５：２３
『その主人は彼に言った。『よくやった。良い忠実なしもべだ。あなたは、わずかな物に忠実だったから私はあなたにたくさんの物を任せよう。主人の喜びをともに喜んでくれ。』
唯一、創造主の神様は喜びなさいと命令します。
詩編３７：４、３３：１、３２：１１
『主をおのれの喜びとせよ。主はあなたの心の願いをかなえてくださる。』
『正しい者たち。主にあって、喜び、楽しめ。すべて心の直ぐな人たちよ。喜びの声をあげよ。』
『主のはかりごとはとこしえに立ち、御心の計画は代々に至る。』
聖書の焦点
＃１ 神様の栄光のために人は造られました。
（人は神様の栄光／良さ素晴らしいさを見て、喜ぶこと。）
イザヤ４３：６−７
『わたしは、北に向かって「引き渡せ」と言い、南に向かって「引き止めるな」と言う。わたしの子らを遠くから来させよ。わたしの名で呼ばれるすべての者は、わたしの栄光のために、わたしがこれを創造し、これを形作り、これを造った。』
＃２ 全ての人が唯一の神様のために生きるべきです。
１コリント１０：３１
『こういうわけで、あなたがたは食べるにも、飲むにも、何をするにも、ただ神の栄光を現すためにしなさい。』
＃３ 全ての人は神様の栄光を無視して、自分の神様を作ります。
（罪の意味）
ローマ３：２３
『すべての人は、罪を犯したので、神からの栄光をうけることができず。』
＃４ 全ての人は公平な罰をもらいます。
ローマ６：２３
『罪からくる報酬は死です。しかし、神の下さる賜物は、私達の主キリスト・イエスにある永遠のいのちです。』
＃５ 神様のひとり子を送る理由は人の罰を支払って、永遠の命と喜びを得るためです。
１テモテ１：１５
『「キリスト・イエスは、罪人を救うためにおの世に来られた」という言葉は、まことであり、そのまま受け入れるに値するものです。私はその罪人のかしらです。』
＃６ イエスキリストを受け入れて、信じるなら、救われます。
使徒１６：３１
『ふたりは、「主イエスを信じなさい。そうすれば、あなたもあなたの家族も救われます。」と言った。』
Saturday, December 16, 2006
The Grinch
Yes! I finally found my childhood Christmas favorite
Click here to watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"!
As I watched for the first time in many years, I started
to think how truly Christian this story is! The Grinch
(or Satan) tries to ruin our day by taking away physical
things (sometimes by giving them!) but as the "Who's"
focus on relationships with others and with God, they
have no reason to lose hope or joy! Christmas comes
like usual - with joy!
It reminded me of Job who said, "'Naked I came from
my mother's womb, and naked I shall return. The LORD
gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name
of the LORD.' In all of this Job did not sin or charge God
with wrong." (Job 1:21-22)
Enjoy!
Yes! I finally found my childhood Christmas favorite
Click here to watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"!
As I watched for the first time in many years, I started
to think how truly Christian this story is! The Grinch
(or Satan) tries to ruin our day by taking away physical
things (sometimes by giving them!) but as the "Who's"
focus on relationships with others and with God, they
have no reason to lose hope or joy! Christmas comes
like usual - with joy!
It reminded me of Job who said, "'Naked I came from
my mother's womb, and naked I shall return. The LORD
gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name
of the LORD.' In all of this Job did not sin or charge God
with wrong." (Job 1:21-22)
Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Search the Scriptures - by Alan M. Stibbs
Click here for a great resource for your quiet times.
Review:
"I have been a born again believer now for over 22 years, and have continually failed to
maintain a consistent, daily walk with Christ through reading the Bible..I was fine with joining Bible studies, or just hearing the Word on Sunday mornings, but have always struggled by finding anything that was relevant and easy to understand on a daily basis.....until this book. This book will change your life by allowing you to DAILY read the scripture and apply its truths to your life!
This guide is simple..it allows you to go through the ENTIRE Bible in three years...each day is only 10-20 verses and only asks 2-3 RELEVANT, meaningful questions. Each study can be done in as little as 30 minutes, but you go away feeling like you have really understood the passage and can now apply it to you life.
Believe me, it is worth every penny....you will reap so many rewards by just spending this DAILY, PERSONAL time with Jesus!"
Click here for a great resource for your quiet times.
Review:
"I have been a born again believer now for over 22 years, and have continually failed to
maintain a consistent, daily walk with Christ through reading the Bible..I was fine with joining Bible studies, or just hearing the Word on Sunday mornings, but have always struggled by finding anything that was relevant and easy to understand on a daily basis.....until this book. This book will change your life by allowing you to DAILY read the scripture and apply its truths to your life!
This guide is simple..it allows you to go through the ENTIRE Bible in three years...each day is only 10-20 verses and only asks 2-3 RELEVANT, meaningful questions. Each study can be done in as little as 30 minutes, but you go away feeling like you have really understood the passage and can now apply it to you life.
Believe me, it is worth every penny....you will reap so many rewards by just spending this DAILY, PERSONAL time with Jesus!"
Sunday, December 10, 2006
The Lightlings - by R.C. Sproul
Nice Christmas gift here
Kids will love it, and others might as well!
Nice Christmas gift here
Kids will love it, and others might as well!
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Great Q
uote
The goal of the Christian life is not external conformity or mindless
action, but a passionate love for God informed by the mind and embraced
by the will. So the path forward is not to decrease one’s affections but rather
to enlarge them and fill them with “heavenly things.” Here one is not trying
to escape the painful realities of this life but rather endeavoring to reframe
one’s perspective of life around a much larger canvas that encompasses all of
reality. To respond to the distorting nature of sin you must set your affections
on the beauty and glory of God, the loveliness of Christ, and the wonder of
the gospel: “Were our affections filled, taken up, and possessed with these
things . . . what access could sin, with its painted pleasures, with its sugared
poisons, with its envenomed baits, have unto our souls?” Resisting sin,
according to this Puritan divine, comes not by deadening your affections but
by awakening them to God himself. Do not seek to empty your cup as a way
to avoid sin, but rather seek to fill it up with the Spirit of life, so there is no
longer room for sin. - Kelly Kapic (Preface to "Overcoming Sin & Temptation"
by John Owen)
uoteThe goal of the Christian life is not external conformity or mindless
action, but a passionate love for God informed by the mind and embraced
by the will. So the path forward is not to decrease one’s affections but rather
to enlarge them and fill them with “heavenly things.” Here one is not trying
to escape the painful realities of this life but rather endeavoring to reframe
one’s perspective of life around a much larger canvas that encompasses all of
reality. To respond to the distorting nature of sin you must set your affections
on the beauty and glory of God, the loveliness of Christ, and the wonder of
the gospel: “Were our affections filled, taken up, and possessed with these
things . . . what access could sin, with its painted pleasures, with its sugared
poisons, with its envenomed baits, have unto our souls?” Resisting sin,
according to this Puritan divine, comes not by deadening your affections but
by awakening them to God himself. Do not seek to empty your cup as a way
to avoid sin, but rather seek to fill it up with the Spirit of life, so there is no
longer room for sin. - Kelly Kapic (Preface to "Overcoming Sin & Temptation"
by John Owen)
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
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