Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

The noble hymn that we are to commit to memory was written by Dr. Watts in 1709, to follow a sermon on 1 Corinthians 16:13, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." It is sometimes condensed to four stanzas, but surely we shall not wish to lose the last two. Here it is:—

Am I a soldier of the cross,

   A follower of the Lamb?

And shall I fear to own His cause

   Or blush to speak His name?

Must I be carried to the skies

   On flowery beds of ease?

While others fought to win the prize,

   And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?

   Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace,

   To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight, if I would reign

   Increase my courage, Lord!

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,

   Supported by Thy word.

Thy saints, in all this glorious war,

   Shall conquer, though they die;

They view the triumph from afar,

   And seize it with their eye.

When that illustrious day shall rise,

   And all Thy armies shine

In robes of victory through the skies,

   The glory shall be Thine. 

Off to Southern

I am currently in Louisville for an intense time of seminars as part of my PhD work.  I am already exhausted.  For the last several months, my day usually ends around two in the morning.  But by God’s grace He has sustained me, and in a bizarre way, it has been enriching.  I will give you more details as they follow.  In the meantime, please pray for myself, my family, and the sweet fellowship at Calvary Baptist Church while I am away.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S THANKSGIVING PRAYER

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.
I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Mayflower Impact

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.
Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the eleventh of November [New Style, November 21], in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Dom. 1620.

QUITYERBELLYACHIN

That is a sign posted over the threshold of my daughter’s bedroom.  Not without coincidence, that the sign is facing my bedroom.  In fact, I can see it from where I lay in bed.  Suspicious?  You will have to ask my wife’s intent.  But there it is every morning before I even have the chance to walk out the door with the cruel world, before I have the chance to go downstairs to start my daily routine, before I even have the chance to moan out of bed; there it is to greet me-QUITYERBELLYACHIN.  We stare at each other like the eyes of a final showdown in a Clint Eastwood western.  Which one of us will flinch first?  Then I am reminded of Paul’s exhortations to “rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.”
The holiday season is gradually coming upon us, and with that time of the year we officially celebrate Thanksgiving.  As I was musing over this occasion (probably while in bed staring at that stupid sign), I thought how much easier it is to complain than it is to be grateful.  Thomas Edison said, “Grouches are nearly always pinheads, small men who have never made any effort to improve their mental capacity.”  Someone once remarked that nothing is easier than faultfinding; it takes no talent, no self-denial, no brains, and no character.  Complaints are for those who take the cheap and lazy way out.  Consider the follow findings from Scripture and allow these citations to cause you to be proactive in thanksgiving.
You should stop complaining because you love God (Exodus 16:7-8; Numbers 11:1).
We should recognize that complaints about the work of God are directly connected to God Himself.  In the passages mentioned above, God takes Israel’s ‘bellyaching” personally.
You should stop complaining because you love your soul (Numbers 11:26ff; 1 Corinthians 10:6-10; Philippians 2:14-15; Jude 16).
These citations indicate that God equates complaining with the wicked.  Jeremy Taylor once said, “It is usually not so much the greatness of our troubles as the littleness of our spirit that makes us complain.”  If you are a constant complainer, you may need to look deep within your heart and ask yourself if you have the Christ Who makes us thankful.
 You should stop complaining because you love others (Leviticus 19:18; Acts 6:1).
In Leviticus 19:18 there is a correlation between holding a grudge against someone else, and not loving him or her.  In other words, you cannot do both at the same time.  Complainers are kamikazes.  They are destructive.  They tear down.  They usually care only for their own selfishness.
You should stop complaining because things could always be worse (Lamentations 3:39).
Jeremiah, the writer of Lamentations, remarks to his audience, how can a mortal man grumble when he still lives in spite of sin?  God could have placed eternal punishment on us the moment we arrived on earth because we are sinners, yet He gives us life.  The next time any one of us are tempted to open are mouths and murmur perhaps we should remind ourselves that living in God’s grace is better than abiding in hell no matter how bad things get.
 You should stop complaining because you do not want to be judged (James 5:9).
Let us remember we are merely rehearsing here what we will review again in the heavenly tribunal.  
You should stop complaining because you like having people around you (1 Peter 4:9).
Few people like being around a grouch.  The Word of God even commends avoiding people who are “sour pusses” (Proverbs 21:19).
You should stop complaining because God does not always give you what you ask for (Exodus 16:2-3).
Complainers tend to act on emotions rather than on rationality.  Numbers 14:1-4 is a good example of grumblers who get carried away and plan to do something foolish.  They often “bite the hand that feeds them”.  Praise God that He delivers deluded minds anyway!

You should stop complaining because God may give you what you ask for.
The lesson with Israel’s ungodly desire for a king is a good reminder to keep quiet and be content in what God gives us than to voice discontentment and regret it the rest of our lives.

As we celebrate this Thanksgiving season, let us be thankful!  Think of ways you can express your gratefulness to God and others.  “Do all things without grumbling or disputing so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15)  I am thankful for even the little things that God teaches me valuable lessons.  Like a wooden sign hanging over the doorway to my daughter’s room, that greets me every morning and never flinches in its truth.

FLYING CONCERTS

Okay, something totally off the wall here, but a discussion I have been having with some friends in spare time.  I have narrowed down what I think I some of the most impressive “aerial” live concerts in recent times.  There are many honorable mentions here, but these two at least in my opinion are impressive.
The first is Taylor Swift’s performance at this year’s CMA.  I am not a country music fan, nor could I tell you two songs Swift sings, but the choreography in this clip is amazing from first to last.

The next footage that I think is the best is from a live performance of Simple Minds with their one hit wonder, “Don’t You Forget About Me”.  For those of you that aren’t in my generation (X) think John Hughes days specially the “Breakfast Club”.  The reason I love this aerial clip is due the crowd participation (see 3:28 mark) which is the ultimate for a rock and roll band.  I also love how the lead singer asks the crowd, “Everything okay?” as tons of steel dangle over their heads.  These eighty rockers are the essence of coolness in playing to the crowd (just witness the master Bono).  

WHAT I AM READING-MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW

With the imminent release of “The Voyage of Dawn Treader” due soon, my kids and I have been reading the Chronicles of Narnia at night.  I chose to read the Chronicles in the way Lewis wanted them to be read rather in order of when they were written.  “The Magician’s Nephew” is our read currently, as it highlights the beginning of the world, and Narnia specifically.  It is a prequel to the “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”. 

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

One of my Alma Maters is Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I treasured my time there earning my Masters in the late nineties. I still have ongoing relationships with many of my professors. One of my former professors, Dr. Ben Awbrey is a soon to be member of our fellowship which is sort of like Luke Skywalker preaching to his Jedi master. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of teaching a class on leadership in the church with a particular bent toward transitioning to elder leadership which is something our church did last year. It was a profitable time, and I am grateful to Dr. Larry Cornine for the opportunity and the students for their warm reception and engaging questions.

SPURGEON ON GETTING TO HEAVEN

Charles Spurgeon: “All the way to heaven, we shall only get there by the skin of our teeth.  We will not go to heaven sailing along with sails swelling to the breeze, like sea birds with their fair white wings, but we shall proceed full often with sails rent to ribbons, with masts creaking, and the ship’s pumps at work both by night and day.  We shall reach the city at the shutting of the gate, but not an hour before.” 

Nuts and Bolts

It seems that the power of positive thinking hasn’t helped Crystal Cathedral avoid bankruptcy.

A few weeks ago, I posted about my old neighborhood being one of the most dangerous in the city.  Now it seems that my city is one of the most dangerous in the country.

Update on Southern

I am currently in the bunkers cramming all information for my seminars that will take place soon and very soon.  Basically, this is the most intense academic discipline that I have ever done.  I will in a ten day period, be a part of an average of ten hour day seminars.  I will have to present at least papers that I know of probably four in addition to other assignments.  It has been refreshingly intense.  Please pray for me.

Piper On The Word

This article goes back a few years, but it continues to refresh my soul regarding the sufficiency of the Word.

TERTULLIAN ON HERETICS

Tertullian said to the Roman emperor, “every time you mow us down like grass, we increase in number: the blood of Christians is seed!” 

To The Garden We Go...

God does work in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. This growing season has baffled me. Everything is backward. I can’t blame it on global warming. But the summer was weird for growing, and the fall is bizarre.



These are recent pictures of my dahlias and morning glories. The dahlias are a perennial bulb so it pokes through the ground at the end of April. The morning glories I planted about the same time. Needless to say, they are stunning. Typically, they would be looking like this in June/July; not October. God is certainly a God of personality. I threw in these pictures of Noah hauling his pumpkins.

Hope For Christian Counseling?

This video depicts my secret, semi-humorous hope that more “Christian” counselors would become like this therapist. Perhaps then we could rescue some “Christian” men who get their egos hurt every time the wind blows.

What I am Reading

This is my Wheelock’s Latin course book for Latin.  It is the standard in its field.  It is helpful in teaching the student how to translate and read, but you wouldn’t want to buy this book unless you were serious about the subject.  I use a set of vocabulary cards that Wheelock also publishes.

Power of the Vote

Today is voting day, many people believe a lot is a stake in this election. I am one of those (whether right or wrong) that in most elections the highest issue people have in mind when they go into the ballot box is their money. Here is some various information about the economy in my neck of the woods. When I moved to Johnson County several years ago, it was one of the wealthiest counties in the nation. Now it has a poverty rate of a little over 7%.

Kansas City isn’t any better economically either-

Ode To the Auxiers

Many people will ask me what loyalty looks like, and I will tell them, “look up the dictionary under the word loyalty and there you will find Phil Auxier’s picture.  That’s what loyalty looks like.  Phil and his family were with us in worship this past Lord’s day.  It was a wonderful time together. 

This song came out about the same time Phil and I met.  We actually went to this “Invention” concert together.  Little did I know then, that this song entitled “Watch My Back” would be an appropriate and telling song about Phil’s relationship with me.  I miss our times together.  He was, is and always be a true friend. 

You and me, we never had to fight in any wars
On some foreign soil, in the pouring rain
Sharing some foxhole, fighting some enemy
That we don’t know in a place we cannot name

God knows that life is war
If you live for Him
You just might die in battle

But no matter what the weapons may be
No matter which enemy may attack
Well, it's you my friend
I would want to watch my back

You and me / We sure have had a crazy ride
And I'm proud to say I served with you