Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Marriage, A Love Marathon
My own opinion is that [love] is felt most completely in marriage, or some comparable attachment of long duration. Love takes time.
What are called "love affairs" may afford a wide, and in retrospect, illuminating variety of emotions; not only fierce satisfactions and swooning delights, but the horrors of jealousy and the desperation of parting attend them; the hangover from one of these emotional riots may be long and dreadful.
But rarely have the pleasures of love an opportunity to manifest themselves in such riots of passion. Love affairs are for emotional sprinters; the pleasures of love are for the emotional marathoners.
Robertson Davies
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Legalizing Murder and Sodomy
It is asserted by many that in these modern sophisticated times, we are the first society to venture where previous cultures have been restrained by ignorance and bigotry. Through a perverted manipulation of the legal system and a growing cultural immorality, we have not only 'legalized' the murder of children but are now in the process of desecrating marriage. But are we the first society to assert these 'rights' and establish 'laws' regarding them?
This is a deadly farce based on arrogance and denial. You are not going where no culture has gone before, you are following a course that has destroyed every culture on that same path.
Leviticus 18:1-3 (NASB)
1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2 "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'I am the LORD your God.
3 ~'You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes.
Please note that the word 'statutes' means, something prescribed, an enactment, statute:--New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Simply put; A formal law of the culture.
The question then becomes, what were those old 'laws' that God prohibited? A list concludes with three;
Leviticus 18:21-23 (NASB)
21 ~'You shall not give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the LORD.
22 ~'You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.
23 ~'Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion.
Simply put, those were laws legally allowing child sacrifice, sodomy and beastality.
What is the consequence of a society legally embracing those things?
Leviticus 18:24-25 (NASB)
24 'Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.
25 ~'For the land has become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants.
I know you claim these words are not words of God, but simply words of man, distorted by translations and time. To me, however, they are then, all the more poignant. How is it that words of fiction expose repeated history and affirm your arrogance? You are determined to repeat the perversion of law, but deny the historic reality of it's consequences.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
ONE
Marriage is a man and woman divinely united as one.
One person guarding your heart more than their own.
One for time and storm weathered strength.
One for the life-long commitment of spirits united.
One that is familiar with my soul secrets.
One that knows the good and bad, and still loves.
One enjoying the fruit of familiarity.
One that knows and delights in pleasing ALL the private and hidden parts of another.
And most powerful?
One intimacy that is shared with no one else.
That is a climax that only happens in real marriage.
Anything less is a sacrilege.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
CIRCUMCISION AND SUBMISSION
Exodus 4:24-26 (NIV)
24 At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met [Moses] and was about to kill him.
25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son's foreskin and touched [Moses'] feet with it. "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me," she said.
26 So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said "bridegroom of blood," referring to circumcision.)
Moses is on his way to confront the Pharaoh for the first time.
This is the deliverer chosen from birth.
Miraculously delivered from death into the very court of Pharaoh!
Trained for forty years in Egypt, and then forty years in the desert.
God has just convinced a reluctant Moses to return to Pharaoh.
Now God is ready to kill Moses...
At first glance, we might think this incident is primarily about circumcision. But, while the issue is circumcision, the cause of the situation is gender authority. The incredible consequence is that God is willing to kill Moses! Moses listened to his wife instead of God!
The essential mark of a Hebrew was the circumcision of all males. It signified the Covenant between the Israelites and God. We find that God used a outward symbol to signify a spiritual truth. God was willing to end His covenant with the Hebrews, if the condition of circumcision was set aside.
Apparently Zipporah abhorred the idea of cutting the foreskin off their newborn son. Instead of exercising his authority as the head of the home, Moses defers to Zipporah. And as a result, Moses is held accountable, not Zipporah.
What I find incredibly interesting, is that we find a parallel passage where an outward symbol is being used to represent the spiritual truth in the New Testament Church. Again, the issue is gender authority. Even more serious, the consequence is greater!
1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (NIV)
2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.
3 Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head--it is just as though her head were shaved.
6 If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.
7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.
8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;
9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.
10 For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.
11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.
13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?
14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,
15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.
16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice--nor do the churches of God.
In this situation we see a principle for not the just Chosen People, but also the Bride of Christ.
Instead of the circumcision of men, the outward expression is a head covering on women. God once again is using an outward symbol to communicate a spiritual truth. Paul clearly establishes that one of the distinguishing marks of God's Church is a visible expression of gender authority.
Instead of communicating God's Covenant with the Hebrews, the message is God's structure of authority. Is not rebellion at the root of every sin?
Instead of Moses risking rejection, we see a group of people risking separation from the Church. Paul is very clear in addressing those who reject this message. Speaking as an Apostle, he says there is no other practice. Then to doubly communicate the seriousness and consequence, he says, “neither do the Churches of God.”
Instead of Zapporah rejecting God's command, we see women rejecting God's structure of authority. This principle of gender authority is not only a consequence of the fall, it is a consistent practice and teaching all through the Bible.
Instead of Moses acquiescing leadership, we have the males of the Church failing to establish their position. Are we not with greater responsibility having the example and teaching of the whole Bible?
Do you realize that in both these situations, we see a direct repeat of Adam and Eve in the Garden? It's not circumcision or a symbol of authority, it's the fruit of a tree. It's not the Covenant or the structure of gender authority, it's obedience to our Maker. It's not Zapporah or women in a Church, it's Eve deciding to disagree with God. It's not Moses or men in a Church, it's Adam not asserting his leadership.
Even more amazing, in each situation the same question is diabolically asked, “Did God really say...”?
The rebellion of Eve and the failure of Adam to lead. The rebellion of Zapporah and the failure of Moses to act. The rebellion of woman in the Church, and the failure of Christian men to act.
The sad thing about this is that the American Church is not contentious about this issue. We simply ignore the message of this passage. We reject the truth that ALL Scripture is profitable for four things; doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. The only contention that arises is if someone brings this passage up!
I cannot sit silent. The American Church is in too much trouble. America is in too much trouble. We are watching the unraveling of the very fabric of our society, marriage and the family. I assert that this issue is at the start of that unraveling. 'We would not be judged if we would judge ourselves'.
Do a Berean study on what I have said here. Call me to account. For the sake of the Church. And your sake.
24 At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met [Moses] and was about to kill him.
25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son's foreskin and touched [Moses'] feet with it. "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me," she said.
26 So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said "bridegroom of blood," referring to circumcision.)
Moses is on his way to confront the Pharaoh for the first time.
This is the deliverer chosen from birth.
Miraculously delivered from death into the very court of Pharaoh!
Trained for forty years in Egypt, and then forty years in the desert.
God has just convinced a reluctant Moses to return to Pharaoh.
Now God is ready to kill Moses...
At first glance, we might think this incident is primarily about circumcision. But, while the issue is circumcision, the cause of the situation is gender authority. The incredible consequence is that God is willing to kill Moses! Moses listened to his wife instead of God!
The essential mark of a Hebrew was the circumcision of all males. It signified the Covenant between the Israelites and God. We find that God used a outward symbol to signify a spiritual truth. God was willing to end His covenant with the Hebrews, if the condition of circumcision was set aside.
Apparently Zipporah abhorred the idea of cutting the foreskin off their newborn son. Instead of exercising his authority as the head of the home, Moses defers to Zipporah. And as a result, Moses is held accountable, not Zipporah.
What I find incredibly interesting, is that we find a parallel passage where an outward symbol is being used to represent the spiritual truth in the New Testament Church. Again, the issue is gender authority. Even more serious, the consequence is greater!
1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (NIV)
2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.
3 Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head--it is just as though her head were shaved.
6 If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.
7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.
8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;
9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.
10 For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.
11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.
13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?
14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,
15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.
16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice--nor do the churches of God.
In this situation we see a principle for not the just Chosen People, but also the Bride of Christ.
Instead of the circumcision of men, the outward expression is a head covering on women. God once again is using an outward symbol to communicate a spiritual truth. Paul clearly establishes that one of the distinguishing marks of God's Church is a visible expression of gender authority.
Instead of communicating God's Covenant with the Hebrews, the message is God's structure of authority. Is not rebellion at the root of every sin?
Instead of Moses risking rejection, we see a group of people risking separation from the Church. Paul is very clear in addressing those who reject this message. Speaking as an Apostle, he says there is no other practice. Then to doubly communicate the seriousness and consequence, he says, “neither do the Churches of God.”
Instead of Zapporah rejecting God's command, we see women rejecting God's structure of authority. This principle of gender authority is not only a consequence of the fall, it is a consistent practice and teaching all through the Bible.
Instead of Moses acquiescing leadership, we have the males of the Church failing to establish their position. Are we not with greater responsibility having the example and teaching of the whole Bible?
Do you realize that in both these situations, we see a direct repeat of Adam and Eve in the Garden? It's not circumcision or a symbol of authority, it's the fruit of a tree. It's not the Covenant or the structure of gender authority, it's obedience to our Maker. It's not Zapporah or women in a Church, it's Eve deciding to disagree with God. It's not Moses or men in a Church, it's Adam not asserting his leadership.
Even more amazing, in each situation the same question is diabolically asked, “Did God really say...”?
The rebellion of Eve and the failure of Adam to lead. The rebellion of Zapporah and the failure of Moses to act. The rebellion of woman in the Church, and the failure of Christian men to act.
The sad thing about this is that the American Church is not contentious about this issue. We simply ignore the message of this passage. We reject the truth that ALL Scripture is profitable for four things; doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. The only contention that arises is if someone brings this passage up!
I cannot sit silent. The American Church is in too much trouble. America is in too much trouble. We are watching the unraveling of the very fabric of our society, marriage and the family. I assert that this issue is at the start of that unraveling. 'We would not be judged if we would judge ourselves'.
Do a Berean study on what I have said here. Call me to account. For the sake of the Church. And your sake.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The Weiner Syndrome
The fallacy that we can dress up immorality with designer morality is painfully exposed in the Anthony Weiner situation.
Now it is not the Representative desperately seeking to squirm his way out, but us, the witnesses. Twisting and turning, trying to patch holes in the deception that we can create good and evil.
That instead, we are hopelessly broken souls.
That there are cracks in the facade of the best and brightest of our heroes. That the swiftest tongue, the sharpest mind and the most promising leader will sooner or later self-destruct.
That in trying to cover one damaged consequence we ignore one victim and violate still another.
That we have no true way to redeem ourselves. That we can only limp along as long as we can.
We may ignore. Or pretend to forget. But the judgment always stands that those who do these things shall surely die. And die we do.
There is only one solution I know. One place any one of us can go. There, side by side, I stand on level ground next to Anthony. And you. At the foot of the Cross. If I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive.
Now it is not the Representative desperately seeking to squirm his way out, but us, the witnesses. Twisting and turning, trying to patch holes in the deception that we can create good and evil.
That instead, we are hopelessly broken souls.
That there are cracks in the facade of the best and brightest of our heroes. That the swiftest tongue, the sharpest mind and the most promising leader will sooner or later self-destruct.
That in trying to cover one damaged consequence we ignore one victim and violate still another.
That we have no true way to redeem ourselves. That we can only limp along as long as we can.
We may ignore. Or pretend to forget. But the judgment always stands that those who do these things shall surely die. And die we do.
There is only one solution I know. One place any one of us can go. There, side by side, I stand on level ground next to Anthony. And you. At the foot of the Cross. If I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
She
She stole me, the involuntary consequence of passion.
She made me, the creation of day in and day out faithfulness.
She thrills me, the endless adventure of shared commitment.
She owns me, the flashing emerald eyes and curly red hair.
She is me, and I her, made one by Divine decree.
She made me, the creation of day in and day out faithfulness.
She thrills me, the endless adventure of shared commitment.
She owns me, the flashing emerald eyes and curly red hair.
She is me, and I her, made one by Divine decree.
Friday, May 27, 2011
WHAT DID JESUS DO
Warn like God's Prophets did
When nations did what we are doing now
Watch with careful vigilance
When there are signs we see now
We tear asunder what God has made one
We prepare children of anarchy
We infinitely pollute our mind environment
We call evil good
When the Church is a Pollyanna bride
Will we not eat the grapes of wrath?
We want to Facebook
Instead of facing all The Book says
When I see these things
I want to shout, “LOOK!”
When I think about the consequences
I want to scream “FIRE!”
Is there any inferno like God's wrath?
When nations did what we are doing now
Watch with careful vigilance
When there are signs we see now
We tear asunder what God has made one
We prepare children of anarchy
We infinitely pollute our mind environment
We call evil good
When the Church is a Pollyanna bride
Will we not eat the grapes of wrath?
We want to Facebook
Instead of facing all The Book says
When I see these things
I want to shout, “LOOK!”
When I think about the consequences
I want to scream “FIRE!”
Is there any inferno like God's wrath?
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