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Stand: Do Not be Moved

Posted on April 16, 2019 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Our Sunday School class finished studying through Ephesians last Sunday. Ephesians 6 is the last chapter, and so rich with practical living.

We’re called to stand. After all the Ephesians chapters about doctrine (roughly chapters 1-3) and all the practical applications and commands (roughly chapters 4-6a), we come to Paul’s final thoughts. He wrote,

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10).

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, (Ephesians 6:13-14a)

Four times within 4 verses he calls us to stand. Not chase the devil, not march against him, not blaming him on every failed desire disrupted event. Simply…stand.

The Christian life is one of battle. Paul often made military allusions in his verses. When he called for the Christian to “stand” he might have been thinking of the Roman Caligae.

Caligae (Latin; singular caliga) are heavy-soled hobnailed military sandal-boots known for being issued to Roman legionary soldiers and auxiliaries throughout the Roman Republic and Empire. Wikipedia

Worn by all ranks, no other shoes in history are as symbolic of the expansion of an empire as the famed Caligae. Rome Across Europe

The caligae are sandals and not a boot on purpose. It was a military footwear that laced up the ankle and calf, providing air to run through and preventing trenchfoot and blisters etc.

The soles were triple soles. The middle part had strong hobnails nailed into them and acted like cleats or crampons do.

When a soldier was fighting hand-to-hand they of course would not want to give ground. Firmly planting their caligae into the ground, no matter how bloody or muddy it became, they would not slide back.

It’s a powerful metaphor. “Stand”. Do we want to give ground to the enemy? No. Do we want to slide back? No. We are not wearing caligae today, but if the men who disciplined themselves, wore that armor and obeyed their commander, conquered a continent, we who are adorned with something much more powerful and effective can do so much more.

Imagine the terror of a population, hearing that hobnailed clatter on the cobblestones as a legion of 6000 hardened and disciplined soldiers marched into their city. How much more so that satan shudders when he hears disciplined and firmly standing soldiers of Christ proclaiming His word, marching on by standing firmly, unable to be moved or even pushed back.

We wear His armor, live and proclaim His Gospel, and possess His Spirit. We are God’s army, united in one cause, spread as a phalanx across the world. Wherever we are planted, stand. Housewife in Des Moines…stand. Pastor in Calgary…stand. Plumber in Portland…stand. Teacher in Kuala Lumpur…stand.

We stand against his schemes. We withstand all in the evil day. We stand firm.

Soldier on, ladies. By standing.

tower

theology

God’s Armor

Posted on April 15, 2019 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

“Put on the whole armor of God…”

We often see kids in VBS or Sunday School with cartoon depictions of men in armor, the helmet, shield, belt, shoes, breastplate, sword. Besides, we’re all so familiar with the metaphor of armor that sometimes we tend to skim this portion of Ephesians 6.

We think, “I’ve got to put on my armor and make sure I’m suitably protected from the schemes and fiery darts of the devil…” We might picture ourselves as soldiers, wearing the gear from head to toe.

And that’s OK. That is all right.

But the beginning of this passage says ‘put on the armor of God.’ It’s HIS armor. Let’s look at some parallel verses from the Old Testament to see it:

Isaiah 11:5
Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist.

Isaiah 59:17

He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.

Isaiah 11:5
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

2 Samuel 22:36
You have given me Your shield of salvation; and Your gentleness exalts me.

It’s God’s armor. When we put it on, we are putting on God, cloaking ourselves in His strength and might and protection.

shield

encouragement, theology

Grace IS Amazing

Posted on April 14, 2019April 5, 2020 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

palm sunday

My favorite doctrines are Grace, followed by Providence.

Grace that is extended by our loving God is shocking and amazing and wonderful. I was saved later in life and I remember what it felt like to live a sinful life in rebellion against God. It was confusing and upsetting, most of the time.

I read a lot, and enjoyed historical books and the world’s myths. As I read books, all the world’s made-up gods were capricious or unloving or dismissive of humans. That seemed right to me. Even when I read of the Founding Fathers and learned about their deism, that god also seemed right to me. The deist god created everything – including humans – but then retreated from humankind’s affairs and let us wind down of our own accord.

Grace given by a loving God was foreign to me and unthinkable. Because that would mean He was involved with humans, lovingly. Weird.

But that and only that God is the one true God.

He came in the form of a baby who grew to be a man-God, teaching and loving and performing miracles. He died for our sins and absorbed the wrath of God on our behalf.

Amazing Grace! how sweet the sound
It was not a sweet sound to me then, but it is now.

That saved a wretch like me
I used to close my mouth if I happened to be at a Church service, like at Christmas, and this hymn came on. I wasn’t a wretch!, I’d utter. And close my mouth, refusing to say the lyrics.

I once was lost, but now am found
I didn’t know I was lost and I didn’t know I needed to be found.

Was blind but now I see
I didn’t know I was blind. Revelation 3:17 applies here:
For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

That the Lord of All would stoop to save a wretch like me, covered in mud and dwelling with the pigs, like the Prodigal, is amazing. That He would walk into Jerusalem, knowing the cries of Hosannah! would turn bloody and hateful a week later. That He went toward his kangaroo trials, his scourging, and his death, even death upon a cross, to save filthy sinners, is amazing. What grace!

Thank you Lord, for your grace!! How wonderful that even when we’ve been there 10,000 years, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun. An eternity praising You is not enough, but what grace that I am able to do so in the first place.

Was blind but now I see…

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7)

theology

Observable Character: Dorcas

Posted on April 13, 2019 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Ruth. David. Dorcas. They had character.

Character is defined as the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

I wrote about Ruth’s character here, her love for God, her love for Naomi, her submission, humility, diligence.

I wrote about David’s character, his bravery, his love for God, his repentance, here.

We can observe through the pages of scripture Ruth and David’s character. The Spirit has recorded their words and their acts for us to assess and enjoy.

Dorcas, also known as Tabitha, is a different story. We don’t meet Dorcas until she is dead. Yet, we can readily observe that Dorcas was someone to emulate. Why? The reaction of her friends and the people in her sphere after she had died. We never read her words and we never see via first person what her works were. But her character is just as observable as Ruth’s and David’s!

We don’t know Dorcas’s marital status, only that she was a disciple who lived in Joppa. Joppa was about 40 miles from Jerusalem on the coast.

Dorcas was living Paul’s principles as written in Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:9-15,

Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

Dorcas certainly had a reputation for good works, caring for the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.

And it seems she had avoided the lifestyle written against by Paul in that same passage:

But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.

How do we know this? Dorcas was no idler. She was completely occupied with Jesus and His people. She gave the adversary no occasion for slander. (1 Timothy 5:15). Quite the opposite, as we will see.

Her story begins in Acts 9:36.

Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.

Let’s stop there for a moment. I like how the Spirit made sure that we would know who she is by repeating her name in both languages, Aramaic and Greek. Dorcas is a Greek translation of the Aramaic name Tabitha, which means “gazelle”. So the Jews knew her as Tabitha and the Greeks knew her as Dorcas. She was known.

She was full … the word full here means abounding, completely occupied with. It is the very definition of a full life. It seems from reading the original word that Dorcas’s life was oriented as much as possible toward Jesus, as she loved Him so much that she completely loved His people, and showed it with being occupied with good works on their behalf.

of good works… the word good is the widest possible meaning good. It describes what originates from God and is empowered by Him in life through faith, according to Strong’s. So her works weren’t surface and they weren’t hypocritical. They were spiritually powerful because they were as much as possible from God and for God.

This is amazing. How often are the works we do offhand, or casual, or mixed with other motives? Dorcas’s wasn’t. They were intentional and full of love and spiritually empowered. Her works weren’t only good to the people, her works were good to God. This is the highest kind of good works of all.

and charity… This word means the poor, a specific benefaction toward the poor, as in alms giving. It seems Dorcas was not scared off by dirty people. Remember, the poor in the first century looked like the poor man outside rich Lazarus’s house, with sores, on a mat, dirty from grime and road dust, full of fleas and bed bugs, wearing tatters. There was no Social Security or Welfare or WIC or anything at all. The destitute were destitute. For women, things could get worse than even that, in a hurry. If she was cast off (divorced), single, a widow, without family, the she was living life on the edge of death every day. Dorcas was completely involved with these impoverished ladies in her works of charity. She made them clothes.

The passage in Acts 9 goes on, Dorcas became ill and died. She was washed and laid out in an upper room. But it does not end there. The ladies didn’t stand around and cry, bury her, and go on with their lives. Dorcas meant so much to them that the women took action.

They sent two men to Lydda where they knew Paul was, and implored Paul to come to them in Joppa without delay. Paul did. (Good for him!) When he arrived to that upper room with Dorcas laid out, a crowd of women were there, according to Strong’s again, weeping aloud, expressing uncontainable, audible grief.

All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. (Acts 9:39b).

ALL the widows. It means all, every. Really? Every widow in Joppa? Wow. Sounds like a Dorcas touched a lot of lives!

Showing the tunics, the word here means of abundance and multitude.

Dorcas’s illness and death rocked the world of the people she touched. They loved her, really loved her. Do you often wonder, what people might think of you after you are gone? How your life impacted them? Would they weep and mourn, or would they just go on with their life, shrugging at the loss for a moment and then you’re forgotten?

Loving Christ and doing constant good works in His name and for His name will never be void. A life such as that will never be empty. Dorcas’s character was so sterling and bright that even after her death we see how much of an impact she made for His name. May our character be as bright.

PS: By the power of God, He allowed Paul to raise Dorcas to life again. And many who heard of this, believed. (Acts 9:42).

sewing

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The Beauty of God Reflected in Spring

Posted on April 12, 2019 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11

Wow.

‘He has made everything beautiful in its time’. Babies, like babies. If you ever gazed on a sleeping baby you have seen beauty in its time. ‘He has set eternity in our hearts’, and if you are saved by grace and faith in Jesus, then you will experience eternity with Him, in joy. If you have not accepted Jesus as your savior then respond to that eternity in your heart, you know you’re yearning, asking, seeking.

Here where I live spring is in full swing. I love the orderly change from brownish grass and leafless trees to the sudden burst of energy, color, and beauty all around. Fruit trees blossom into color, bushes, wildflowers, all showing the glory that God gave them. Birds return and sing, swoop, build, nest, and feed their babies.

God controls all of it.

blossoms mockingbird in tree

birdhouse new 2.jpg

‘No one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end’. No, I can’t, and that is the beauty of it, the eternity of it. Can we fathom a God who sends His Son to be crushed for our iniquities? Can we fathom the painful anguish of a Son separated from His Father? Can we fathom the love, boundless love of a God who became Man and hung on a cross for us?

A mysterious, omnipotent God who is unfathomable yet places Himself in our hearts and makes our souls beautiful. I am glad I know Him.

encouragement, theology

I’ve heard of wine pairings, or even tea pairings, but book pairings?

Posted on April 11, 2019 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

You know how, in the foodie world, they pair different foods or drinks together for the eater to enjoy maximum flavor? “Sauvignon blanc is the classic wine pairing for goat cheese, but you could also try a crisp dry Provençal rosé…” Or, “This Sencha Green tea would be lovely with Arugula and lightly steamed vegetables…”

I do book pairings. If a book is a difficult one, I pair it with a modern treatment. Not modernized language, though that sometimes helps, but pairing an older author and a modern author who wrote about the same subject. Or simply read books by two modern day authors writing about the same subject.

I think these would be good pairings:

Work: Its Purpose, Dignity, and Transformation by Daniel M. Doriani
and
Work and Our Labor in the Lord (Short Studies in Biblical Theology), by James M. Hamilton Jr.

I’ve read the Hamilton book. Challies recommended the Doriani book yesterday in his 10 New and Notable Books for April blog essay, and I think that would be fun to read it and compare to the way Hamilton treated the subject.

This might also be a good pairing:

The Power of Christian Contentment by Andrew M. Davis
and
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, by Jeremiah Burroughs

The Burroughs book was first published in 1648. Burroughs was an English Puritan preacher. His book on contentment is considered to be one of the gold standards on the topic, but the language is somewhat antiquated. Pairing the Burroughs book with the Davis tome (which I have not read) might be a good idea.

As a matter of fact, last summer I did pair a Puritan book with a more recently written book and it was very helpful to me in understanding the older one. I read –

The Enemy Within: Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin by Kris Lundgaard
and
Mortification of Sin in Believers by Puritan John Owen

The Lundgaard book drew heavily on the original Owen works on indwelling sin and the mortification of sin. Reading a chapter of Lundgaard’s book one day and then Owen the next helped my brain prepare for Owens’ more complex treatment of the subject in his Puritan language.

I’ve paired these and I am enjoying the double treatment of how to critically read a book-

Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke is

A practical guide built on the gospel, Lit! models the skills needed to build a balanced reading diet of Scripture, theology, and devotional books, but without overlooking important how-to books, great stories, and books meant to be enjoyed for pleasure.

How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren

Wikipedia’s blurb explains Adler’s 1940 book. “Adler co-authored a heavily revised edition in 1972 with Charles Van Doren, which gives guidelines for critically reading good and great books of any tradition. The 1972 revision, in addition to the first edition, treats genres, inspectional and syntopical reading.”

Adler’s book goes into much depth. Reinke’s book is a bit lighter. I like to read Reinke’s book and then the next day read Adler’s.

You might wonder, why go through all this trouble to ‘pair books’?

Because doing so helps train us, specifically in three higher order thinking skills: Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation.

Analysis refers to the ability to break down material into its component parts so that its organizational structure may be understood
Synthesis refers to the ability to put parts together to form a new whole
Evaluation is concerned with the ability to judge the value of material (statement, novel, poem, research report) for a given purpose. (Source)

We employ those skills when we read the Bible. We need to analyze the passages. We synthesize when we examine the different gospels, comparing them to each other. We synthesize when we strive to understand eschatology from different passages in the Old and New Testaments. Evaluation is an important skill in discernment- if we lack the ability to judge material for the purpose of edification of souls, then we open ourselves much that is false.

The Holy Spirit illuminates the scriptures’ meaning. But we still have to put in the hard work.

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14).

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; (1 Timothy 4:7).

colbert windows — Pair up two books and see what you think

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Further Reading:

I’ve written two other essays about the ‘how to read’ issue.

One of them is here

The other one is here

discernment, theology

A few thoughts about the abortion movie…

Posted on April 10, 2019 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

movieposter Unplanned the movie was recently released. It is from the Christian film-makers PureFlix, produced and directed by Cary Solomon, Chuck Konzelman, Daryl C. Lefever, Joe Knopp, and Chris Jones.

The movie blurb goes: “Abby Johnson becomes the youngest clinic director in the history of Planned Parenthood, then a life-changing experience turns her into an anti-abortion activist.”

The ‘life-changing event’ Abby experienced was actually watching an abortion on sonogram. The movie is based on the true life story of the real person Abby Johnson.

It is rated R for graphic violence. It shows the procedure of a chemically-induced abortion in realistic terms and also an abortion procedure via sonogram (The sonogram abortion, though not real and done with special effects, accurately depicts a true abortion and it’s pretty graphic). The film is also getting good reviews and is showing at more screens the second week than the first. It came in at #4 in the top ten box office last week, its first week showing.

I have not seen it, nor do I plan to. I’m listing a few reviews for you to ponder. I am glad, as many people are, that the issue of abortion is gaining such scrutiny and debate. I am also glad that hopefully many women will be more mindfully considering other options instead of seeking abortion as a viable alternative to an unplanned pregnancy.

However, please be aware of a few things. The movie is not evangelism. The movie does not contain the Gospel. So what? You say it isn’t a Gospel movie, anyway? Well, the people who made the movie intended it to contain the Gospel and to be an evangelism piece. The Production company it was made under is a Christian company. One would expect the Gospel to be present in movies that a Christian movie-making company makes.

Also, the people involved in the movie, from producers, directors, and actresses, claim that the Gospel IS in the movie. They also use salvific terms like redemption, finding joy, receiving forgiveness and reconciliation, and speak of how much of a ‘God story’ it is.

In an interview, I heard the director say that if Peter and Paul were around today, they would definitely use movies to evangelize. The director intended the movie to used as a method of evangelism.

We see from these three examples, that the movie people consider the film to be an evangelistic tract. But be aware the Gospel is not in it.

Also be aware that the movie’s main character (Abby Johnson) is a practicing Catholic. She was when she worked at Planned Parenthood and she is now. So is her husband. If a person believes the dogmas of Rome, they are not saved. That person does not know the will of God, does not have the Holy Spirit, their prayers go nowhere, and they are destined for the Lake of Fire. A person who is not saved has nothing to tell us about the faith.

Also be aware that Kris Vallotton of Bethel Church is a cast member of the movie, as “pastor.” Bethel Church is one of the, if not THE, most prominent churches in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Vallotton is a heretic and his church is heretical, a no-church. It’s a synagogue of satan. (cf Revelation 2:9).

I’m not speaking against the movie, per se. I hear it has good production values, good acting, and is powerful. I am simply presenting information for you to be aware of when making decisions whether to see the movie or not, and to be aware of as you watch the movie. I was particularly intrigued by the Spirit of Error’s warnings about the insidious influence of the New Apostolic Reformation. Bethel’s presence in the movie is not something to be dismissed. Link below.

As a matter of fact, the producer/directors boasted to the interviewer that the Holy Spirit was very involved in the movie. They described “miracle after miracle”. They described an incident where a man who was flying over set in his jet was praying and Jesus answered and “told” him to give the movie people a million dollars. He prayed 4X and Jesus said yes 4X (even Gideon didn’t dare but ask for confirmation twice).

They said and that there was a permanent on-set prayer team consisting of Catholic priests, atheists, evangelicals, rabbis, and pastors leading prayer two specific times during the day and then wandering around the set all day and night praying as requests or needs came. The producers called them folks “from every denomination.” These people do not know the faith if they believe atheists, rabbies, and preists know Jesus in a salvific sense. In addition, the Lord is under no obligation to listen to the prayer of an unbeliever, and in fact, he does not listen to the prayers of the wicked. (*John 9:31).

With incidents like these being touted as proof that God was involved at a specific and intimate level, one wonders how well they know the scriptures in the first place. They sounded more like the Bethel/NAR folks than God-honoring evangelicals. So beware of the NAR/charismatic influence in this movie.

Now on to some links to consider.

I enjoyed this balanced review by a pastor who went to see the film.

A Pastor’s Review of Unplanned: Uncertain of its Own Message

As far as the story goes, I rather liked the movie, but it was a hard watch. The violence of abortion is portrayed with chilling effect.

Lots of people commented to the pastor that he was wrong in various ways about his stance on the movie. He made a 25-minute video explaining and fleshing out those criticisms, here. He is extremely articulate and in listening you begin to really understand about the Gospel and the importance of its absence in the movie.

This is the Pro Life Convention video put on by the Family Research Council, at which the producers/writers/directors and the main actress were interviewed. Begin at 26:30. In addition to the previous things I’d mentioned them saying, I also thought it was interesting the lengths Hollywood will go to blacklist and suppress or otherwise thward this movie’s production.

Jon Speed, Pastor at Christ is King Baptist Church in Syracuse, NY wrote a very interesting piece on the evil of abortion in the context of Roman Catholic mythology (doctrine).

From the National Catholic Register, Abby Johnson explains how she went from From Abortion Worker to Catholic Apostle. Read her own words.

Holly Pivec explains how she was Blindsided by Bethel‘s presence in the movie, and bullet lists the NAR’s fingerprints that are deeply embedded in the movie. There’s much more beyond just a quick appearance by Vallotton.

Again, I’m thrilled that a well-done movie about the evil of abortion is getting the attention of the nation. However, remember also not long ago the activists that secretly filmed conversations and interviews with Planned Parenthood workers to buy baby parts, and how they casually described what parts they would sell and how much money they’d cost and how they’d even be able to buy a Ferrari if they sell enough? It shocked and sickened the nation. For about a week.

Don’t let your conversations and strength in the faith be compromised or even influenced simply because a cause we care about is front and center in the news adn the box office. Who brings the issue and how it is presented, also matters.

If you want to see Unplanned, more power to you. See it like you would any other new release this week. View it as a politically activist film out to persuade you on one issue, abortion, and don’t let Christianity tie in to it to the extent that the movie wants it to be. 🙂

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*However, while the Lord never obligates himself to the prayer of the unbeliever. He will do what suits his purpose, and that might intersect with the prayer and desires of the unbeliever. (source)

encouragement, theology

Am I doing something wrong if I make a huge decision and don’t wait to hear from God?

Posted on April 9, 2019July 3, 2024 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Does the Bible speak to whom we should marry? Which college to attend? Whether to join the Army? Should we relocate to another state? Change careers now, later, or never? Go back to college?

Christian decision-making … I’m often asked these very questions by women who care about being obedient to the will of God. But the Christian culture of the last generation has introduced a mysticism to decision-making (and to Christian life in general) that unfortunately includes waiting for personalized whispers, looking for signs, or other extra-biblical methods that will guide them along in deciding things that aren’t directly in the Bible.

Phil Johnson has explained about inner promptings and whispers, (transcript here from Super Session at the 2002 Shepherds’ Conference, audio here)

Now this kind of thinking is totally at odds with the principle of Sola Scriptura. We believe as Protestants don’t we, that the written Word of God – the Bible – contains everything necessary for our salvation and our growth in grace. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…listen to the next phrase…that the man of God may be PERFECT, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Scripture alone is able to equip us thoroughly, perfectly for all good works. Everything we need in the process of our sanctification. There is no need for extrabiblical revelation. The Bible will equip you for all good works. It will give you all the explicit guidance you can possibly get from God. It contains principles to help you be wise and discerning as you pursue the course of your life, and beyond that we simply trust God in His providence to order our steps. You don’t need an explicit message from God telling you whom to marry, or where to go to school, or where to go to the mission field. [italics mine]

So how should we approach making decisions?

Any precursor to decision making would assume first that one is saved. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing. (John 15:5). Secondly it assumes that the thing you’re undecided about does not involve sin. We never decide toward sin, we flee from sin. ( 2 Timothy 2:22; Genesis 39:12). Thirdly, it assumes that you’re relying completely on God’s word. If the item you’re trying to decide about is directly in the Bible, follow that command. “Should I submit to my husband?” isn’t really a decision to ponder, because it is already commanded.

Fourthly, the decision-making process assumes that you’ve yielded yourself to the Spirit of Christ within you. You’re striving, repenting, obeying, praying, etc. You’re as much as a clean plate as you can be, being a sinner, lol.

Now, how to decide those things which are not directly addressed in God’s word?

As from a pamphlet I found online which no longer is online, from Crossroad Bible Church,

Here are four questions to ask yourself:
• Have I yielded myself completely to Christ’s Spirit?
• Is there a clear Bible command concerning this decision?
• Is there a Bible principle that will guide me in this decision?
• Which choice would be most prudent in this situation?

The above wee fleshed out more with scriptures at their website but sadly is gone now.

Did you know that You Are Part of a Grand Plan? It’s not like you can mess it up. If you make this decision or that decision, it isn’t going to surprise God, or alter what He has planned for you. Providence, as mentioned above by Phil Johnson, is secure. His plan will be fulfilled, and your decision making isn’t going to change it. You aren’t going to miss out on anything. Beyond what is specifically prescribed in the Bible, and “we simply trust God in His providence to order our steps” as Pastor Johnson explained.

In my own life, I moved from Maine to Georgia. I wanted a place with lower cost of living, and warmer weather. That’s it. He would have worked it out of I’d chosen Texas or North Carolina. Deciding on Georgia wasn’t a life-or death decision, just one that fit my life and made sense.

When I got to GA I applied for a number of jobs. I applied using common sense. What did I have experience in, was trained for, and was good at? It’s not like I consulted the Lord and waited for a sign or anything. I was following the biblical principle that he who does not work does not eat. I sought jobs I thought I had the best chance of getting and sustaining my means.

Some jobs I applied for were at the University in the journalism department, some with local magazines. The one I got (in His providential care) was for the Athens Banner Herald writing feature stories of people in my county as a freelancer. Later when I decided to go back to education – subbing at first and applying for parapro jobs, I didn’t consult the Lord. I just used common sense. The freelance job simply wasn’t paying enough. A job with the County Education system would:

-be fairly secure as jobs go (education is the largest employer in the county)
-had health benefits (I was soon to be 50)
-was what I was trained for. (formerly certified teacher with Masters degree)
-I’d be working with kids (something I love and I’m told I’m good at).

If I’d decided to get a job as a bungee jumper trainer, lol, that would not be common sense.

I knew the Lord would work it out. In His providence He did not ordain that I was given the first job I’d interviewed for as a parapro at another school, but a year later I got a job at the school I’m at now, a great fit. I’ve been there 11 years, 9 as a parapro. It’s not like there is only ONE decision or only ONE path.

I’ll conclude with Phil Johnson–

If your life is in harmony with all the commands and principles of the Bible, you can actually do what you want to do without beating yourself up with introspection and fretting over whether God told you to do something or not. When Scripture says He orders our steps it’s talking about His guidance through His hand of providence. We step out in faith, and He guides our steps.

bible out loud

doctrine, theology

Of obituaries and wifely submission

Posted on April 8, 2019 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I saw a certain obituary the other day. I was struck by how unique it was even in terms of obituary writing. You see, obit writing is a genre all unto itself, and the focus of it is not death, but life.

Apparently this gentleman was quite a character. When a family is faced with the certainty of death, how does one encapsulate their departed one’s life? Which highlights to put in, and which to leave out? What CAN one say about ‘the other side’? There is great curiosity about what happens to a departed one post-death, but only Christians can say with certainty what happens as a soul’s life continues.

Mr Schrandt’s life was marked by one consistent characteristic. Please read the following obituary, and then I’ll discuss it down below. See if you notice the same thing I did…

——————————————–

Tim Schrandt*
Tuesday, April 2, 2019 12:56 PM

Tim Schrandt, 63, of Spillville, died Friday, March 29, 2019, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis., after a short battle with cancer. A funeral service is at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 4, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, with Deacon Pat Malanaphy presiding. Burial is in the church cemetery, with full military rites. Visitation was from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, and continues after 10 a.m. at the Church Thursday morning.

Tim ‘Lynyrd’ Schrandt made his last inappropriate comment March 29, 2019. If you are wondering if you may have ever met him, you didn’t – because you WOULD remember. For those of you that did meet him, we apologize, as we’re sure he probably offended you. He was world renowned for not holding back and telling it like it is.

Tim was born to William (Bill) Schrandt and Mary (Malanaphy Schrandt) Manning June 11, 1955 – 100 years too late. Given Tim’s demeanor he would have been the perfect weathered cowboy in the old west or a rough-and-tough pioneer, or maybe he just should have been Amish.

Tim was the fourth of eight kids, the bottom rung of the top tier (the big kids). Instead of taking his place on that rung, listening to the older kids and doing as he was told by his older siblings, he decided to anoint himself “king” of the four little kids. Tim spent his childhood and early adulthood ordering them around and, in general, tormenting them. He was a great orator (not like Shakespeare, but more like Yogi Berra), as he always had something to say and always had to get in the last word.

His position as “king” and orator was challenged by the nuns at St. Wenceslaus school in Spillville. He may have met his match. We’re not saying the nuns won, but they put up a good fight. We mean literally – he got into a fist-a-cuff with a nun. In fairness, she probably started it. You didn’t take a swing at Tim and not expect one back. Tim’s fondness for authority (his own, not others) followed him to South Winneshiek High School in Calmar and later into the Army. This provided for many interesting episodes and stories, detentions and demotions, and a few “run ins” with the law – not just locally, but globally.

Tim worked at Camcar/Stanley Black and Decker in Decorah as a tool and die maker for 30-plus years. Tim worked with many friends and “a bunch of morons.” His words, not ours. Well, not exactly his words – because that would have included a bunch of swearing.

Tim leaves behind a lot of stuff that his family doesn’t know what to do with. So, if you are looking for a Virgin Mary in a bathtub shrine (you Catholics know what we’re talking about) you should wait the appropriate amount of time and get in touch with them.

Tomorrow would be fine.

In addition to his stuff he leaves behind two great boys of whom he was extremely proud: Cody (Jenny) Schrandt and Josh (Lydia) Schrandt were the product of his marriage to Crystal Hilmer. He will be missed by his two granddaughters whom he adored and taught to cuss, Peyton and MacKenna. Also left to keep the stories alive (but, there won’t be any new material) are his mother, Mary Manning and siblings: Mike (Rita Dixon) Schrandt, Marty (Clint) Berg, Becky Schrandt-Miles, Bill ‘Grease’ Schrandt, Pam (Rick) Barnes and Peter (Sandra) Schrandt; and many nieces, nephews and cousins who wanted to hang out near him, because you just knew he was going to say or do something good. It’s not that he was such a great storyteller – it’s that he WAS the story!

To his siblings’ amazement he was actually able to snag a good woman, Cheryl Murray, and hold onto her for the past 13 years; and as far as we know, restraints were not used. Tim also created great memories and stories for Cheryl’s kids, Alex (Christina) Murray and Samantha (Evan) Ludeking; and grandkids, Tatum and Grace.

He will be having a reunion with his infant daughter, Ashley; his brother, Duke; his dad, Bill Schrandt; many aunts and uncles and a handful of cousins that passed before him. Tim was in charge of getting the beer and ice for our family reunions, so they will be happy to see him.

A common line in obituaries is “He never met a stranger.” In Tim’s case: He never met a rule he couldn’t break, a boundary he couldn’t push, a line he couldn’t cross and a story he couldn’t stretch. Another common obituary phrase is “He’d give the shirt off his back”; well Tim was prepared to do that, and he could do it quickly – because he always wore his shirts unbuttoned ¾ of the way down. Tim was anything but common!

Despite his crusty exterior, cutting remarks and stubbornness, there is actual evidence that he was a loving, giving and caring person. That evidence is the deep sorrow and pain in our hearts, that his family feels from his passing.

Tim led a good life and had a peaceful death; but the transition was tough. And for the record, he did not lose his battle with cancer. When he died, the cancer died – so technically, it was a tie! He was ready to meet his Maker, we’re just not sure “The Maker” is ready to meet Tim.

Good luck God!

We are considering establishing a Go-Fund-Me account for G. Heileman Brewing Co., the brewers of Old Style beer, as we anticipate they are about to experience significant hardship as a result of the loss of Tim’s business. Keep them in your thoughts.

————————————-

The characteristic distinguishing Mr Schrandt’s life was rebellion. He rebelled against parents, his nun teachers, Army superiors, family, and every line, rule, or boundary he met. He rebelled against every verse that commands a man not to be offensive, mouthy, stubborn, argumentative, bossy, quarrelsome, a fighter, drunkard, immodest, liar, and vulgar. Such a life does not please the Lord. Rebellion in any one form displeases the Lord. We are called to submit, not rebel.

The obit writer calls Mr Schrandt’s ‘a good life.’ Does the Bible?

The Book of Ephesians can be split into two parts. The first 3 chapters focus on theology, stressing New Testament doctrine. The the last 3 chapters focus on Christian behavior and are practical.

Ephesians 5 presents commands for life in relation to other people. It’s all about submission. The forms of submission are different for each person within their unique relationship. Submission is key, but applies differently. For example, Christ submitted to God. But parents don’t submit to their children.

Persistent rebellion and refusal to submit to authority is evidence of a pride-filled, egotistical life, not a life in the Spirit. Such a life does not please God.

The verse in Ephesians 5:22 causes a lot of controversy these days. Here it is: Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. It shouldn’t be controversial. The list of relationships in that passage is long, describing different demographics of people submitting to other people. Wives to husbands. Husbands to Jesus. Jesus to God. Slaves (employees) to employers. Children to parents. In Hebrews, congregants to pastors. In Romans, citizens to government. Submission is part of the Christian life.

Did you know that in first century times, the shocking part was not that wives should submit to husbands? It was that husbands should love their wives! (Ephesians 5:25).

The population of the Greco-Roman world during the first wave of NT churches, was 2/3 men, 1/3 woman. Yet the church was full of busy women, doing ministry. It was an extremely unpopular religion, and it took a high cultural hurdle and a personal toll to convert. Yet women were flocking to it. Why? They wanted to prop up the patriarchy? They wanted doormat lessons? No, they saw that it was a religion that honored and valued women!

Marriage at the time of the first church was totally advantageous to men. Men could divorce their wives for petty infractions such as not using enough salt on the dinner. Early Christianity was actually mocked because so many women were participants in it. Women were held in low esteem, and Christianity was mocked and derided for being “just” a religion of women and children. Christianity was mocked for being PRO-women.

So what brought women to Christianity? From The Dynamic Ministry of Women in Early Christianity, a talk by Michael Kruger:

–Christianity gave women real opportunities for involvement with honor and dignity.
–Christianity had a very different sexual ethic than most other religions or civic life at the time- purity for both spouses. In the culture of many of the different religions, women were expected to be pure, but the men were allowed all manner of sexual freedom, from enjoying temple prostitutes, homosexual encounters, mistresses, etc.
–Christian handling of divorce. In the 1st century, husbands can and did cut their wives loose for any reason or no reason. This was effectively a death sentence. Left destitute, with no remedy, the divorcées were in dire circumstance if that happened.

No wonder women were attracted to this new way of marriage! Wives, submit to your husbands? Yes, because the men were commanded to love their wives, not divorce, maintain sexual purity, and enjoy life-long mutual care.

I hope that some of the Christian sisters who might balk at the Ephesians ‘submission’ passage would take these facts on board.

A life of rebellion such as the man in the obituary might be a fun read, but such a life – one of rebellion in any form – (and I believe Mr Schrandt tried them all) dishonors the Savior, who Himself submitted to the Father’s plan. That plan included the worst spiritual agony any person has ever or will ever endure. It included physical agony of a kind that no one can even conceive, much less can or will endure. And it included the hottest, grossest shame, naked on a cross the worst kind of execution that the depraved Roman government ever invented.

What kind of obituary would you want written about you? What highlights of your life would you want to grace the pages of your final essay? What lasting memory do you desire people to have of your life?

And if anyone tells you that wifely submission it’s sexist or patriarchal or culturally passe or chauvinist, kindly correct them with the historical and spiritual facts of our great faith. Refer them to Michael Kruger’s talk. And … ask them if ‘husbands loving their wives’ is passe, too.

marriage

*Lightly edited to remove 2 swear words

hymns, theology

O How His Grace Amazes Me – The Hymn that Spawned a Book

Posted on April 7, 2019 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

An interview from 2010 regarding Sinclair Ferguson’s inspiration for his then-new book By Grace Alone.

Pastor Conrad Mbewe wrote about the hymn and its author, pastor Emmanuel T. Sibomana, an African Baptist pastor in Burundi. (1915-1975). Mbewe wrote-

I think that Oh, how the grace of God amazes me should rank among such hymns as Amazing grace by John Newton. To begin with, it is an experiential hymn. It speaks about our experience of the grace of God. Anyone who “has been there” will immediately identify with it. Something in your soul resonates with the lyrics as you sing the hymn. It is not the senseless excitement of those who are drunk with wine, but an informed warmth of heart because of a godly reflection on what God has done for you in Christ. And by the time you get to the last stanza, you really want the whole of creation to join you in singing your divine Saviour’s eternal praise.

Sinclair said that he had begun a project with the church organist to play through and intently listen to all the hymns in the hymn book at their church. They did this over successive nights. When they came to O How His Grace Amazes Me, Ferguson was struck by the power of the hymn and its progression into all the important doctrines, and unusually, on grace.

The hymn caused him to ponder these things for a good while, until finally breaking forth into the book he decided to write.

When Sinclair is asked if the world needed yet another book on grace, he said the world should be filled with books on grace. Amen! I love the doctrine of grace. I pray that the music at your services cause you to truly reflect on the great doctrines and the awesome attributes of God.

Here is Emmanuel Sibomana’s hymn O How His Grace Amazes Me:

Modern arrangement, 4-min: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s963Kq4sbtk

Traditional arrangement with organ, 7-min- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAsCo_RsHJg