Kyle Borg tagged Jeremy to do this on our blog, but I thought I would as well, (in hopes of getting Jeremy to do it also).
He called it Book Meme but that sounds strange so ... here it is: By the way, The Bible is Omitted from these answers.
1. One book that changed your life:
When I Don't Desire God by Piper. Real, Biblical and Practical.
AND My Utmost of His Highest by Chambers
2. One book you've read more than once:
A Path Through Suffering by Elizabeth Elliot
3. One book you'd want on a desert island:
Valley of Vision... this collection of puritan prayers is amazing.
4. One book that made you laugh:
Probably Captivating... after I got over being mad, the fact that she writes that we as woman are the "zenith of creation" is hilarious.
5. One book that made you cry:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. This is an amazing fictional story based off Hosea that really portrays God's grace in amazing ways.
6. One book you wish had been written:
Any book by Piper, Owen, Spurgeon, Carmichael, etc...all of my favs.
7. One book you wish had never been written:
anything by Joel Osteen or Brian McClarin (not spelled right)
8. One book you're currently reading:
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas...awesome!
9. One book you've been meaning to read:
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
and The Mystery of Marriage and the Glory of Christ
10. Tag 4 other readers:
Jeremy (my dear husband)
Chad
Casey
Abby and Ron
Friday, August 31, 2007
Velvet Elvis
I've been growing in concern with the popularity of this book. Please read the reviews below, one by a friend of ours and the other, a professional blogger in the Reformed circle. We MUST be careful with what we read... we MUST make sure it aligns with scripture. Truth is being maligned on every front and we must guard it with all we have, this is what the gospel, our salvation is built on and we cannot lose even an ounce of it or we lose the entire gospel itself. Velvet Elvis is just one example of the chipping away of God inherent word through creating our own, more humanized and relative "truth".
http://synodofsaints.blogspot.com/2007/07/systematics-of-velvet-elvis.html#links
http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/book-review-vel.php
Standing on His word,
Kate
http://synodofsaints.blogspot.com/2007/07/systematics-of-velvet-elvis.html#links
http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/book-review-vel.php
Standing on His word,
Kate
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Response to Chad about the OT
A response to Chad….
Hi Jeremy and Kate! This is Chad.So Jeremy, you said that the OT speaks much more about God's character than the NT does. Why do you believe this? Does not Christ speak very clearly about God's character? Since Christ is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3), I was wondering how the OT speaks more pertaining to God's character.
First of all, sorry Chad that it took me SO long to respond to your question. I meant no offense to you. Kate has been asking me to do this for awhile, and I hear Mr. Lickel also wants me to write, so, hear is my response.
Chad, I think this is a great question, and I agree completely that Jesus does show the "exact imprint of His nature" (Hebrews 1:3). As I went back and read what I wrote, I realized that I what I meant to say is that the OT speaks much more exhaustively on certain attributes of God than the NT. The heart of that writing was to realize that we would never have the NT without the OT. So often today we find churches that put no emphasis on the OT, on the wrath of God, on what we are saved from, and on the story of mans redemption (a few topics I think the OT speaks more about then the NT). I know growing up all I knew about the OT was a few stories about an ark and a killing of a giant (usually without getting the point of those stories). Never did I learn about how the OT points to Christ and how the OT shows some amazing things about who God is.
After saying that though, I am not saying that many of these attributes are not reaffirmed in the NT through Christ. One quick example of this is from 2 Samuel 7. David sees the palace he is living in, and the tent that the Ark of the Covenant is sitting in, and sees there is an obvious problem with this. David goes to God and says that he is going to build a house for him. God says (this is paraphrased), "You are going to build me a temple. Ever since I have taken my people out of Egypt I have traveled with them from tent to tent. Never have I asked for anything more than what I asked of them." (verses 6-7). What this says about the character of God is that he is humble. Here is the almighty God, who created the entire galaxy by his fingertip, and he is traveling with a nomadic tribe in a tent, without wanting anything more than those people to follow him. Now of course the NT shows God through Christ as being humble, but Grace did not begin with Christ, it began with the triune God before creation. As Paul says in 2 Timothy chapter 3, "from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." What Paul is saying is that we can know about Christ through faith (reformed people call this doctrine "Sola Fide" or by faith alone).
To close, we as the elect must continue to get to know about Christ through the OT. Believe me, it at times can be challenging. About a week ago I was in the middle of reading through Jeremiah, and I started to forget about the grace of God. There was a lot of anger, and God was about to rightfully destroy the Southern Kingdom of Jerusalem. This was the kingdom that David had begun about 800 years earlier. I am not saying that the grace of God was not written throughout these chapters of Holy Scripture, but I not comprehending them. Anyway, during that time I listened to a sermon by R.C. Sproul about Justification by Faith Alone through Christ Alone (I commend that sermon to all—if you want a copy of it just ask). After hearing that sermon, and a solid explanation of the mercy God has in declaring me just, because of His son’s death, I remembered again that God is merciful with me, a sinner who needs mercy. Therefore, we must consciously study the OT with Christ in mind, or else we will begin to misinterpret it, and eventually try and forget it completely, and some of our wacky theologies ("such as we do not need a literal virgin birth" or "hell is a metaphor not a real place") might gain a stronger foothold in the church. Granted, people can create crazy theologies while using the OT, which is why all of scripture must be used to interpret the rest of scripture. But we do not need to get into that now because that is another post on another day (or month is I keep posting like I have been).
Let me know what you think Chad. We both miss you and look forward to seeing you again sometime soon.
Jeremy
PS- Much of what I just wrote comes from a sermon by Ligon Duncan about preaching Christ from the OT. Anyone want a copy of that as well, please ask.
Hi Jeremy and Kate! This is Chad.So Jeremy, you said that the OT speaks much more about God's character than the NT does. Why do you believe this? Does not Christ speak very clearly about God's character? Since Christ is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3), I was wondering how the OT speaks more pertaining to God's character.
First of all, sorry Chad that it took me SO long to respond to your question. I meant no offense to you. Kate has been asking me to do this for awhile, and I hear Mr. Lickel also wants me to write, so, hear is my response.
Chad, I think this is a great question, and I agree completely that Jesus does show the "exact imprint of His nature" (Hebrews 1:3). As I went back and read what I wrote, I realized that I what I meant to say is that the OT speaks much more exhaustively on certain attributes of God than the NT. The heart of that writing was to realize that we would never have the NT without the OT. So often today we find churches that put no emphasis on the OT, on the wrath of God, on what we are saved from, and on the story of mans redemption (a few topics I think the OT speaks more about then the NT). I know growing up all I knew about the OT was a few stories about an ark and a killing of a giant (usually without getting the point of those stories). Never did I learn about how the OT points to Christ and how the OT shows some amazing things about who God is.
After saying that though, I am not saying that many of these attributes are not reaffirmed in the NT through Christ. One quick example of this is from 2 Samuel 7. David sees the palace he is living in, and the tent that the Ark of the Covenant is sitting in, and sees there is an obvious problem with this. David goes to God and says that he is going to build a house for him. God says (this is paraphrased), "You are going to build me a temple. Ever since I have taken my people out of Egypt I have traveled with them from tent to tent. Never have I asked for anything more than what I asked of them." (verses 6-7). What this says about the character of God is that he is humble. Here is the almighty God, who created the entire galaxy by his fingertip, and he is traveling with a nomadic tribe in a tent, without wanting anything more than those people to follow him. Now of course the NT shows God through Christ as being humble, but Grace did not begin with Christ, it began with the triune God before creation. As Paul says in 2 Timothy chapter 3, "from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." What Paul is saying is that we can know about Christ through faith (reformed people call this doctrine "Sola Fide" or by faith alone).
To close, we as the elect must continue to get to know about Christ through the OT. Believe me, it at times can be challenging. About a week ago I was in the middle of reading through Jeremiah, and I started to forget about the grace of God. There was a lot of anger, and God was about to rightfully destroy the Southern Kingdom of Jerusalem. This was the kingdom that David had begun about 800 years earlier. I am not saying that the grace of God was not written throughout these chapters of Holy Scripture, but I not comprehending them. Anyway, during that time I listened to a sermon by R.C. Sproul about Justification by Faith Alone through Christ Alone (I commend that sermon to all—if you want a copy of it just ask). After hearing that sermon, and a solid explanation of the mercy God has in declaring me just, because of His son’s death, I remembered again that God is merciful with me, a sinner who needs mercy. Therefore, we must consciously study the OT with Christ in mind, or else we will begin to misinterpret it, and eventually try and forget it completely, and some of our wacky theologies ("such as we do not need a literal virgin birth" or "hell is a metaphor not a real place") might gain a stronger foothold in the church. Granted, people can create crazy theologies while using the OT, which is why all of scripture must be used to interpret the rest of scripture. But we do not need to get into that now because that is another post on another day (or month is I keep posting like I have been).
Let me know what you think Chad. We both miss you and look forward to seeing you again sometime soon.
Jeremy
PS- Much of what I just wrote comes from a sermon by Ligon Duncan about preaching Christ from the OT. Anyone want a copy of that as well, please ask.
Marriage is a Growing Process
The following is a bit of "advise" ...can you call it that? on marriage that I wrote for one of my old friends that is getting married soon. I thought about how much I have to learn, and how exciting that is...but also about how much God has refined me and revealed Himself in just a few months... I would LOVE for those who are married (whether recently or for 50 years) to write their own thoughts.
As you begin your life together and enter a new phase of this narrow path we are on with Christ, I offer you a few tips from my three months of marriage thus far.
1. Pray together every day. Whether you do this in the morning or at night... this will be the foundation of your marriage. Pray for people in your lives, for God's will, specific situations and also, your marriage.
2. Be humble and selfless. This is obvious...all of them are actually, but all of them are essential. Put your husband before yourself in all things. Trust that God will meet your needs through Himself as well as your husband.
3. Trust and submit to your husband. He is to be as Christ is to the church- the head of you marriage. He will and should value your thoughts and opinions but ultimately, he makes the final calls. He has a huge responsibility that I thank God I do not have to undertake. The best thing you can do is love him through showing and living out your respect and trust for him.
4. Enjoy the simple moments together. At first, this is no problem. But with school, or working full time, or church involvements, family and friends and keeping a house or apartment running, you guys will get busy. Go for 15 minutes walks, snuggle before bed, or read a book together, one chapter a week to keep your connection. It is those little, meaningful things that will keep us all "in touch" with our spouses when life gets crazy busy. (and when is it NOT?!)
Love in Christ, Kate
As you begin your life together and enter a new phase of this narrow path we are on with Christ, I offer you a few tips from my three months of marriage thus far.
1. Pray together every day. Whether you do this in the morning or at night... this will be the foundation of your marriage. Pray for people in your lives, for God's will, specific situations and also, your marriage.
2. Be humble and selfless. This is obvious...all of them are actually, but all of them are essential. Put your husband before yourself in all things. Trust that God will meet your needs through Himself as well as your husband.
3. Trust and submit to your husband. He is to be as Christ is to the church- the head of you marriage. He will and should value your thoughts and opinions but ultimately, he makes the final calls. He has a huge responsibility that I thank God I do not have to undertake. The best thing you can do is love him through showing and living out your respect and trust for him.
4. Enjoy the simple moments together. At first, this is no problem. But with school, or working full time, or church involvements, family and friends and keeping a house or apartment running, you guys will get busy. Go for 15 minutes walks, snuggle before bed, or read a book together, one chapter a week to keep your connection. It is those little, meaningful things that will keep us all "in touch" with our spouses when life gets crazy busy. (and when is it NOT?!)
Love in Christ, Kate
Thursday, August 23, 2007
The Floods Came
Here are some pictures from about 20 hours after the major destruction near our place. The street next to ours had to be evacuated, cars in our parking lot were ruined due to massive flooding, the bluffs we live RIGHT next to had mudslides, basements right next to us had 3 feet of water and our power was out for over 2 days!The Lord really protected us and we saw His massive power over ALL things.
One of the smaller trees that was taken out.
Just hours before, many of these cars were flooded.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
The Thread Weaving Through...
In this week’s, (or months depending on how quickly I get used to this blogging thing) entry, I want to tie a few books I am reading together. One of them is the Bible (a few of the Minor Prophets in particular), and another is a book I am reading with my wife Sacred Marriage.
I will start with the Bible reading I have been doing. The last few days I have been able to read Nahum and Zephaniah, which are tiny books in the Bible that most people most likely have not even heard of. If my memory serves me correct, this is the first time I have ever read them. A few cool things I noticed are first, they both, (although especially Zephaniah) are so very gospel oriented. It shows Gods wrath against sin and mankind because of the fall, and then his promise to redeem his people. There is prophecy of Christ’s eventual coming, and it ends in a hope for that day. After listening to Tim Keller’s talk on Evangelism and Postmodernism and his ideas that all theology must be gospel based, I have a new appreciation for these books, and thinking that all theology I stand on must be an exposition of Christ’s redemption in my life.
Now usually when I read a book like Nahum, where God says things like "Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder… dead bodies without end – they stumble over the bodies" (Nahum 3:1,3) my immediate thoughts are how sinful these people must have been to deserve a wrath like this. My thoughts tend to drift into how I have never sinned this badly and deserved this type of wrath. My thoughts are absolutely sinful, because all I really think about is how bad these people were, and how I have never been that bad. I am shown daily how wrong I am in my thoughts, and I thank God for his works of grace to wake me up and show me this, which leads me to the second book I am reading, Sacred Marriage.
It is actually the single best book on marriage that I have ever read, and anyone who is married, or about to be married should certainly read it. It is honest, real, easy to read, and solid in its theology. One thing that the writer Gary Thomas often reminds me in this book, is how sinful I am. My marriage also reminds me of this daily. When I lose my temper, when I cannot control my tongue with my wife, when I act selfishly, when I think negative thoughts, when I fail to lead and love my wife as Christ does His church. It is in these times that I am in an utter state of sin, with nothing but the sheer grace of God to hold me up. God would be saying to me: "Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no longer be heard." (Nahum 2:13) My sin is just as bad as the people of the Old Testament. Marriage shows me this each and every day.
And this is one of the main reasons I utterly enjoy being married. One thing I have learned quickly while being married is that it is the most sanctifying covenant I will be in on my earthly life (besides the covenant with Jesus obviously). God uses this relationship to open my eyes to sins I have never known before, and He then changes me. Then what is said in Zephaniah is true for me: "The LORD has taken away the judgements against you: he has cleared away your enemies… Fear not, O Zion: let not your hands grow weak. The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:15,16-17)
-Jeremy
I will start with the Bible reading I have been doing. The last few days I have been able to read Nahum and Zephaniah, which are tiny books in the Bible that most people most likely have not even heard of. If my memory serves me correct, this is the first time I have ever read them. A few cool things I noticed are first, they both, (although especially Zephaniah) are so very gospel oriented. It shows Gods wrath against sin and mankind because of the fall, and then his promise to redeem his people. There is prophecy of Christ’s eventual coming, and it ends in a hope for that day. After listening to Tim Keller’s talk on Evangelism and Postmodernism and his ideas that all theology must be gospel based, I have a new appreciation for these books, and thinking that all theology I stand on must be an exposition of Christ’s redemption in my life.
Now usually when I read a book like Nahum, where God says things like "Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder… dead bodies without end – they stumble over the bodies" (Nahum 3:1,3) my immediate thoughts are how sinful these people must have been to deserve a wrath like this. My thoughts tend to drift into how I have never sinned this badly and deserved this type of wrath. My thoughts are absolutely sinful, because all I really think about is how bad these people were, and how I have never been that bad. I am shown daily how wrong I am in my thoughts, and I thank God for his works of grace to wake me up and show me this, which leads me to the second book I am reading, Sacred Marriage.
It is actually the single best book on marriage that I have ever read, and anyone who is married, or about to be married should certainly read it. It is honest, real, easy to read, and solid in its theology. One thing that the writer Gary Thomas often reminds me in this book, is how sinful I am. My marriage also reminds me of this daily. When I lose my temper, when I cannot control my tongue with my wife, when I act selfishly, when I think negative thoughts, when I fail to lead and love my wife as Christ does His church. It is in these times that I am in an utter state of sin, with nothing but the sheer grace of God to hold me up. God would be saying to me: "Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no longer be heard." (Nahum 2:13) My sin is just as bad as the people of the Old Testament. Marriage shows me this each and every day.
And this is one of the main reasons I utterly enjoy being married. One thing I have learned quickly while being married is that it is the most sanctifying covenant I will be in on my earthly life (besides the covenant with Jesus obviously). God uses this relationship to open my eyes to sins I have never known before, and He then changes me. Then what is said in Zephaniah is true for me: "The LORD has taken away the judgements against you: he has cleared away your enemies… Fear not, O Zion: let not your hands grow weak. The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:15,16-17)
-Jeremy
Monday, August 6, 2007
Pictures from our Honeymoon
We just got back from a wonderful week at Apostle Islands and then Hayward. :) It was a true blessing to relax, rest and spend quality time together! We started reading "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas ....it is a MUST-read for any married couple! We had many fun adventures including tandem biking, beach going, tubing down a river in the middle of no where in a "River Runs Through It" scene, among other things. The following are some of our favorite photos. :) Enjoy!
Our beautiful B&B in Apostle Islands:
The Sea Caves in the Apostle Islands:
Our view from a restaurant called "Portside":
The amazing Beach on Madeline Island...we biked 10 miles TANDEM to get there! :)
Newlyweds still!
Our home while in Hayward: (thanks Christine!)
We had a BLAST on our belated honeymoon!
Our beautiful B&B in Apostle Islands:
The Sea Caves in the Apostle Islands:
Our view from a restaurant called "Portside":
The amazing Beach on Madeline Island...we biked 10 miles TANDEM to get there! :)
Newlyweds still!
Our home while in Hayward: (thanks Christine!)
We had a BLAST on our belated honeymoon!
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