Posted in praise songs, theology

We are a singing people

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

music1.jpg
Photo: EPrata

We as believers are a singing people. In lesson 2 of RC Sproul’s teaching video series “What Did Jesus Do?: Understanding the Work of Christ” (free at Ligonier) Sproul talks of the Songs in the Bible; OT’s Song of Moses, Miriam, Deborah, and in the NT, the Infancy Hymns of Mary, Simeon, and Zacharias, and also Revelation’s New Song. He explained that whenever God does a huge act of redemption, gratitude and awe springs forth in praises in hymn of the great God. These are recorded in His word, these songs of praise and thankfulness being a beautiful segment of our faith. Continue reading “We are a singing people” →

Posted in theology

“It is final” : An adoption story

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

In America, adoption is easy and it is hard. It is easy in terms of there being many different organizations that aid prospective parents through the process. It is hard in the sense that it’s financially expensive, emotionally draining, and a veritable roller coaster of home visits, technical legalese, paperwork upon paperwork, and no sure thing until the final gavel comes down.

The gavel came down yesterday. Continue reading ““It is final” : An adoption story” →

Posted in advent, prophecy, theology

Nativity & Advent: Zacharias- There’s no such thing as chance, even when casting lots

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By Elizabeth Prata

#2: Nativity & Advent: Anna, the Lord’s Precious Widow
#3: Nativity & Advent: Sacrifice of Pigeons

Did you know that the practice of casting lots is called cleromancy? I didn’t. Wikipedia defines it-

Cleromancy is a form of sortition, casting of lots, in which an outcome is determined by means that normally would be considered random, such as the rolling of dice, but are sometimes believed to reveal the will of God

What is casting lots? by Matt Slick Continue reading “Nativity & Advent: Zacharias- There’s no such thing as chance, even when casting lots” →

Posted in theology, women

The Silent Witness that Speaks Volumes

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.  (1 Corinthians 14:34)

If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 14:35)

A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. (1 Timothy 2:11-12)

Obviously being silent in the churches doesn’t mean that women are never to utter a word in church. In other epistles, Paul writes that women pray in church. Women fellowship before and after. Women sing. So being silent does not mean total silence from entering the church doors to exiting. Continue reading “The Silent Witness that Speaks Volumes” →

Posted in christian living, theology

Redeeming the Time for the Lord: Some resources

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

The King James Version has the phrase ‘redeeming the time.’

As I age, I get tired quicker. As I age as a Christian, I feel an undeniable temptation to let my energy for spiritual disciplines flag, and to just coast. Yet we must always be expending energy, not squandering it- these verbs are active: walking, being vigilant, watching, pursuing holiness, seeking truth…all these are active verbs that describe how we are to be as growing Christians. And there is no arrival. Until the day we die, we are growing, never finished. So, obviously, there is no such thing as coasting. Continue reading “Redeeming the Time for the Lord: Some resources” →

Posted in beauty, theology

Beauty questions

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By Elizabeth Prata

What is beauty? Where does it come from? Why do we enjoy it? Is beauty dispensable, i.e., can we live without it?

It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I believe that all human eyes know beauty when they see it and all human eyes know ugliness when they see it. It’s an indefinable quality, but it’s a universal one. Continue reading “Beauty questions” →

Posted in discernment, Uncategorized

If:Gathering: more information

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Three years ago I had an inquiry from a sister in the faith about the woman of She Reads Truth and the IF:Gathering. In looking at these two organizations, which feature overlap of the woman who founded and participate in them, I discovered they adhere to and teach an aberrant theology that is unhealthy for woman. A series resulted.

Three years later, the IF:Gathering and its woman have only embedded themselves deeper into the faith and are tainting even more women with their brand of liberal theology, shaky hermeneutics, usurping lifestyles, and their idol of social justice. Continue reading “If:Gathering: more information” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Encouragement for you today

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

As for these days of toil and hardness, “Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.” (Ecclesiastes 7:10.) Clarke’s Commentary on this verse from old King Solomon states, “The former days were better than these? – This is a common saying; and it is as foolish as it is common. There is no weight nor truth in it; but men use it to excuse their crimes, and the folly of their conduct. “In former times, say they, men might be more religious, use more self-denial, be more exemplary.” This is all false. In former days men were wicked as they are now, and religion was unfashionable: God also is the same now as he was then; as just, as merciful, as ready to help.” Continue reading “Encouragement for you today” →

Posted in theology, visual theology

New Bibles for the Instagram generation, part 2

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Part 1

Yesterday I’d written about how visually presenting timeless truths from the Bible is nothing new. Infographics (visual theology) as old as the 1600s were published and circulating. I’d noted that the Bible’s format has also morphed over the centuries, changing as new technology made reading it and production of it, easier.

A new trend has come to the fore, a meshing of three streams: our generation’s emphasis on visuals, the Kinfolk Aesthetic movement, and a small startup grown huge called Alabaster Co. These three trends have birthed a new format of the Bible, which Alabaster Co. has named the Bible Beautiful. Continue reading “New Bibles for the Instagram generation, part 2” →