Posted in potpourri, theology

Prata Potpourri: Thanksgiving treats, Sleep, Sharing the Gospel, more

By Elizabeth Prata

thanksgiving

Advent season is here. With Thanksgiving next week and the weather getting colder, the Christmas decorations are starting to peek out. I plan to put up mine on Thanksgiving night. I don’t have many, the apartment is small and the cat is too interested. A few years ago he ate the bow on one of them and the next year the pine cone off another. But I’ll put up lights or battery candles in each window, for sure, so people driving by will enjoy the glow. Continue reading “Prata Potpourri: Thanksgiving treats, Sleep, Sharing the Gospel, more”

Posted in journalism, theology

Eyewitness: The Death Of Journalism

By Elizabeth Prata

news bldg
The News Building, Athens GA

The Fourth Estate. A phrase coined back in the mid 1700s by British politician Edmund Burke, or by Lord Brougham in 1823, depending on the source. The Three Estates in feudal times were the socio-economic divisions between classes, loosely divided by three Estates of the Clergy (First Estate), Nobility (Second Estate), and Shire Commissioners, knights or burghers (Third Estate).

The press as a Fourth Estate was never considered part of the societal structure but is deliberately outside of them all. This is because the role of the media was to be the watchdog of the other three ‘estates’ when one or more of them went awry, and to give voice to the people. It was supposed to be an advocate for the people, particularly the “voiceless.” Continue reading “Eyewitness: The Death Of Journalism”

Posted in catholicism, theology

Some truths about the papacy

By Elizabeth Prata

The Roman Catholic Church is Christian, right? It’s different from us Protestants, but we can learn from them/use some of their rituals/admire their spiritual fathers, right? We can partner with them in moral endeavors, right?

No. The Roman Catholic Church (RCC) is just as false as a Muslim mosque. The Catholic Church is apostate. The Catholic Church is a mission field. Continue reading “Some truths about the papacy”

Posted in theology

Bad Old Molech is alive and well

By Elizabeth Prata

The Bible’s earliest books speak of a false god named Molech. Molech worship was cultish worship associated with Ammon. For example, 1 Kings 11:7 speaks of him as “the detestable god of the Ammonites.” God warned the Israelites many times not to sacrifice their children to Molech.

Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 18:21). Continue reading “Bad Old Molech is alive and well”

Posted in devotionals, theology

Avoid Foolish Controversies: By Charles Spurgeon

By Elizabeth Prata

I really liked this one. All of them are good, but this Morning’s Devotional by Charles Spurgeon was especially insightful. I am making it a separate blog. You can get the Morning, Evening, and Faith’s Check-Book devotionals here.

This Morning’s Meditation
C. H. Spurgeon

“Avoid foolish questions.”—Titus 3:9.

OUR days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions.

After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle’s precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.

There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus?

Such enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have been at all given to cavilling, let us now turn our critical abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be peace-makers, and endeavour to lead others both by our precept and example, to “avoid foolish questions.”

Portrait of Charles Haddon Spurgeon by Alexander Melville

 

Posted in advent, theology

Nativity & Advent: Anna, the Lord’s Precious Widow

By Elizabeth Prata

#1 : Nativity & Advent: Zacharias- There’s no such thing as chance, even when casting lots
#3: Nativity & Advent: Sacrifice of Pigeons

————————-

The Nativity story includes wonderful elements as we learn them and repeat them year after year. We truly are little children, saying to our parents, “Tell me again!” We never tire of hearing as much as we can about our Savior who left His throne, left glory, left the perfect adoration of his angels, and came to earth to serve and die. (And resurrect)

This year I’m focusing on a few of the people and events of the Nativity story during Advent with which we may not be as familiar. Or, if you are familiar, then please enjoy another round of delving into this magnificent story in all its aspects. Continue reading “Nativity & Advent: Anna, the Lord’s Precious Widow”

Posted in discernment, theology

Alistair Begg and the Preaching Conference

By Elizabeth Prata

The inaugural National Preaching Conference is scheduled at First Baptist Church in Waco Nov. 19-21. The synopsis of this new conference says in part,

We hope you will join us for these uplifting days when the shepherds can be shepherded and the feeders can be fed. This occasion will echo the best of yesterday’s traditions and resound with the needs of tomorrow’s church.

Interesting. Perhaps some of the pastors who can’t make it all the way to California to attend a more established preacher’s conference such as the Shepherd’s Conference can make it to Texas instead. Continue reading “Alistair Begg and the Preaching Conference”

Posted in false teachers, theology

The Unspeakable Pride of False Teachers

By Elizabeth Prata

Regarding the strange video Beth Moore made of herself and posted on Instagram. She filmed herself working out in pajamas, slippers, and bed head. The point of her video was to reassure her followers just how normal she is.

She panned the camera to show her slippers working the step on her elliptical machine, took care to pan up to the lump of bed hair that wouldn’t lay down, and to note that she is still in pajamas, to which she gestured. Continue reading “The Unspeakable Pride of False Teachers”