I stand firm on the Bible as the true, perfect, and complete Word of God. Scripture itself is not a god and should never be worshiped; only the Author of Scripture - our Savior and Lord - merits such reverence. The Bible, however, enables us to know our Creator, His plan for our redemption, and the best direction for our lives that will glorify Him.
In some respects, as a inhabitant of the twenty-first century, my trust in God as giving His error-free word applicable for all times declares me unconventional. Many today proclaim exceptions within Scripture. Others suppose that the Holy Spirit who lives in all believers will speak a new or updated word to individuals that allows some present-day behaviors once considered wrong to now be acceptable Christian conduct.
The Holy Spirit speaks to His children, helping them understand His Word, His direction for their lives, and their need to repent from wrong-doing. He will never oppose Scripture, which itself is the result of the Holy Spirit speaking to faithful men. God, perfect in every way, is incapable of contradicting Himself and would never give a “new revelation” that disputes His own Word.
Our slave-owning ancestors once misused Scripture by taking verses out of context or speaking from spiritual ignorance to justify their cause. Many believers now are doing the same – or altogether ignoring certain Bible verses – to defend more contemporary issues. They promote equality for all, yet ignore the differences God fashioned within His creation as well as the clear word He has given regarding these differences.
While we may certainly apply Scripture in various ways, its meaning will not change to suit our current culture, which will always be changing. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and for that I am very thankful! Otherwise, I would be one very confused believer, trying to determine how to live my life according to values that are unreliable and inconsistent.
A question frequently asked of those who stand firm on the Bible as the unfailing Word of God concerns the relevance of Old Testament Law. The purpose of the law is to reveal our inability to keep it and direct us to our need for a Savior. We are not saved by our works, which will never measure up to God’s standards, but by our faith in Jesus Christ.
The New Testament addresses and explains certain aspects of the Old Testament Law, declaring some no longer necessary, such as the ceremonial and food-related regulations, and unflinchingly affirming others, including the moral law that relates to issues of the heart. No opposition exists; God merely clarifies the Mosaic Law (its purpose and application) all within his inspired Word, the Bible.
God cannot be expected to accommodate to our ever-changing culture and its sin nature. How prideful and arrogant of us, His creation, to think we know better! Rather, we must humble ourselves before the Lord and seek His direction, knowing His path for our lives will never contradict the word He has graciously given to us in the Bible. This firm stand seems logical, but ultimately it is a matter of faith springing forth from trust in an almighty God and his unshakable Word.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Sweetness!
My boys are full of spontaneous sweetness on Valentine’s Day. The “holiday” caught them a bit off guard this year, yet they still found time to present heartfelt gifts on this designated day of love.
Brandon’s day was filled with classes, science lab, and more with little time left for last-minute Valentines. However, he pulled some creativity out of his pocket – quite literally – and made a special card just for his mom. In fourteen languages ranging from Italian to Japanese to English he wrote “I love you!”
He then attached to the card a melted Hershey’s kiss he had been carrying in his pocket since lunch. His friend from lab suggested he add, “My love for you is as wide as this kiss.” Brandon thought better of that line. However, we all agreed that Mike’s idea could not be topped: “Your love melts my heart!”
Nicholas composed original poems. To Mike, he wrote:
Army officers are cool,
And police officers I like, too.
But the best of all officers
Are ones like you!
And for me, he attached a Krispy Kreme coupon to a card and penned the following rhyme:
Zachary, feeling a bit under the weather on Valentine’s Day, had little energy to craft a card or write a poem. However, he proudly brought out his five homemade snow globes and graciously let me choose one as my gift.
As for Mike and me? We gave each of the boys his own extra-large bag of M&Ms and agreed to forgo gifts to each other this year since we have tickets to see the local Broadway performance of The Addams Family in a few weeks.
Nevertheless, I took a Valentine balloon to Mike’s office and later gave him some candy. On the ride to the office, Nicholas insisted that no matter what had been decided beforehand, his daddy would always have a gift for me on Valentine’s Day. And Nicholas was right! Mike surprised me with some of my favorite chocolate candy.
More special and memorable than the gift, though, is the fact that Mike’s love and generosity toward his bride is evident - even predictable! - to our sons and is setting an example of pure sweetness for them to follow!
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth." Psalm 119:103
Brandon’s day was filled with classes, science lab, and more with little time left for last-minute Valentines. However, he pulled some creativity out of his pocket – quite literally – and made a special card just for his mom. In fourteen languages ranging from Italian to Japanese to English he wrote “I love you!”
He then attached to the card a melted Hershey’s kiss he had been carrying in his pocket since lunch. His friend from lab suggested he add, “My love for you is as wide as this kiss.” Brandon thought better of that line. However, we all agreed that Mike’s idea could not be topped: “Your love melts my heart!”
Nicholas composed original poems. To Mike, he wrote:
Army officers are cool,
And police officers I like, too.
But the best of all officers
Are ones like you!
And for me, he attached a Krispy Kreme coupon to a card and penned the following rhyme:
Zachary, feeling a bit under the weather on Valentine’s Day, had little energy to craft a card or write a poem. However, he proudly brought out his five homemade snow globes and graciously let me choose one as my gift.
As for Mike and me? We gave each of the boys his own extra-large bag of M&Ms and agreed to forgo gifts to each other this year since we have tickets to see the local Broadway performance of The Addams Family in a few weeks.
Nevertheless, I took a Valentine balloon to Mike’s office and later gave him some candy. On the ride to the office, Nicholas insisted that no matter what had been decided beforehand, his daddy would always have a gift for me on Valentine’s Day. And Nicholas was right! Mike surprised me with some of my favorite chocolate candy.
More special and memorable than the gift, though, is the fact that Mike’s love and generosity toward his bride is evident - even predictable! - to our sons and is setting an example of pure sweetness for them to follow!
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth." Psalm 119:103
Monday, February 6, 2012
Writing a Love Story
Each weekday morning over breakfast, the boys and I spend a few minutes together reading through a book in the Bible. We have no particular order for choosing among the sixty-six books; I simply let them decide which they are most interested in studying.
This past week, after concluding Judges, the boys chose Song of Solomon because, as Brandon innocently stated, “I really have no idea what that book is about.” Was he ever right! Just two verses into the first chapter, I read words that make young boys shudder: “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.”
I pressed on, recognizing that the Bible is meant for all people to read, even those who may not be completely comfortable with some of its statements. Uncertain of how I would approach the study of this book with my boys, I had decided to highlight the fact that it is not merely the story of a man and woman in love, but a picture of God’s undying devotion to those who love Him.
But with expressions such as, “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments” (1:10a), “I am lovesick” (2:5c), and “…his right hand embraces me” (2:6b), the discussion ultimately kept coming back to romantic love.
In fact, very little of our conversation has been about God’s love, and much more has been about love between a man and woman. So in studying this book of the Bible, the subject has quickly focused on choosing a godly wife.
Selecting a partner for life is a serious decision that calls for biblical wisdom, such as the following I have been sharing with my sons from Song of Solomon:
When choosing a bride one day, choose a girl who is beautiful. “You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes.” (4:9) Remember, however, that beauty is not wholly defined by appearance. A pretty girl who nags and complains is really not very attractive. On the contrary, a simple girl with a peaceful, Christ-centered heart is an extraordinary, exquisite prize. Consider the whole package, not just the paper and bows.
When choosing a bride, choose from among your friends. “This is my beloved, and this is my friend.” (5:16b) Have fun and enjoy one another. Share dreams, hopes, concerns, disappointments, struggles - everything. And when circumstances necessitate time apart, be eager to reunite with your closest companion, your wife.
When choosing a bride, beware of Satan’s attempts to separate the two of you. “Catch us the little foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vine.” (2:15) Keep your eyes only on her, and allow nothing on earth to become more important than your marriage.
Wait until the appropriate time to choose your bride. “Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases.” (2:7b) The purpose of dating is not simply to have fun or to feel loved and secure or to “practice” before pursuing a bride. The purpose of dating is to FIND that bride, and young teens or pre-teens unable to move toward a more serious commitment of marriage should be cautious of searching and awakening love before it is ready.
The Bible offers much wisdom and guidance on this subject. These are merely a few observations from Song of Solomon. I pray that learning about God’s perfect plan for marriage is the beginning of my sons’ own beautiful love stories.
“Many waters cannot quench love…” Song of Solomon 8:7a
This past week, after concluding Judges, the boys chose Song of Solomon because, as Brandon innocently stated, “I really have no idea what that book is about.” Was he ever right! Just two verses into the first chapter, I read words that make young boys shudder: “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.”
I pressed on, recognizing that the Bible is meant for all people to read, even those who may not be completely comfortable with some of its statements. Uncertain of how I would approach the study of this book with my boys, I had decided to highlight the fact that it is not merely the story of a man and woman in love, but a picture of God’s undying devotion to those who love Him.
But with expressions such as, “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments” (1:10a), “I am lovesick” (2:5c), and “…his right hand embraces me” (2:6b), the discussion ultimately kept coming back to romantic love.
In fact, very little of our conversation has been about God’s love, and much more has been about love between a man and woman. So in studying this book of the Bible, the subject has quickly focused on choosing a godly wife.
Selecting a partner for life is a serious decision that calls for biblical wisdom, such as the following I have been sharing with my sons from Song of Solomon:
When choosing a bride one day, choose a girl who is beautiful. “You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes.” (4:9) Remember, however, that beauty is not wholly defined by appearance. A pretty girl who nags and complains is really not very attractive. On the contrary, a simple girl with a peaceful, Christ-centered heart is an extraordinary, exquisite prize. Consider the whole package, not just the paper and bows.
When choosing a bride, choose from among your friends. “This is my beloved, and this is my friend.” (5:16b) Have fun and enjoy one another. Share dreams, hopes, concerns, disappointments, struggles - everything. And when circumstances necessitate time apart, be eager to reunite with your closest companion, your wife.
When choosing a bride, beware of Satan’s attempts to separate the two of you. “Catch us the little foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vine.” (2:15) Keep your eyes only on her, and allow nothing on earth to become more important than your marriage.
Wait until the appropriate time to choose your bride. “Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases.” (2:7b) The purpose of dating is not simply to have fun or to feel loved and secure or to “practice” before pursuing a bride. The purpose of dating is to FIND that bride, and young teens or pre-teens unable to move toward a more serious commitment of marriage should be cautious of searching and awakening love before it is ready.
The Bible offers much wisdom and guidance on this subject. These are merely a few observations from Song of Solomon. I pray that learning about God’s perfect plan for marriage is the beginning of my sons’ own beautiful love stories.
“Many waters cannot quench love…” Song of Solomon 8:7a
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