Our new hobby

We picked up some used aquarium equipment a couple weeks ago. I got it up and running a few days ago. Today, we introduced our first two fish to the aquarium. I decided on...

(drum roll)...


The Blue Gourami!

Let's see if they can hang in there for a while. The Ph level and the temperature are A-OK, but aquariums can be fragile environments sometimes. Gouramis are pretty hardy, though.

Well, I'm tired and feeling kinda... ugly... really for the second half of the day, for whatever reason. Time for family worship, and then BED.

(Almost a) Headline: Guy in goofy gi goes to wrong class.

I'm all messed up (no wise-cracks!).  I work at noon today, so I figured I'd get up early and try to catch a Karate class this morning before work.  So I drag myself out of bed (I've been really tired lately), chug two cups, eat a banana, grab my gear and head out the door.  I get to class, and it's filled with Krav Maga people.  Now, they don't dress like us karateka, and there I am standing with my bo.  So, before getting into full uniform and making a complete goof out of myself, I sneak over to the schedule hanging on the wall, and figure out that IT'S WEDNESDAY (thanks LABOR DAY!), and my class isn't til 11am, which is too late for me cuz I work at noon, so I came home and typed this instead.  Good news is that I do indeed work at noon, and my not knowing what day it is did not make me late for work.... yet.

The Crocodile Hunter

--edit---

Video removed to avoid offense (see comments), and to avoid any possible vain use of the Lord's Name (unintentional on my part).

Be Angry And Sin Not

I'm in the process of posting a series in Calvin's Corner from his sermons on Ephesians on the verse that says "Be ye angry, and sin not."  I do believe it is the best explanation of that verse I've ever heard.  Far from finding justification for outward anger in these words, Calvin would have us to be angry at ourselves, at our sin, and what should follow is a carefulness to check ourselves against sin, a willingness to forgive others, and decrease in rage against others. 

Post #1

Post# 2

Post# 3

With more to follow, Lord willing.

If you have any good John Calvin quotes you think others may benefit from reading, come on over to Calvin's Corner and share them.

AikiJutsu bullshizu

Something tells me that you have to be in this guy's martial arts cult in order for these moves to be effective on you. I mean, a shrug of the shoulder sends someone flying? Give me a break!



Let's see a shoulder-shrug take out one of these guys, huh?

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Of Death and the Grave

"We must be willing to go through the grave to Christ; that way he went to his glory, and so must we. If we cannot see God's face and live, better die than never see it."

~~Matthew Henry, from Commentary on John 20:1-10.

Arminianism is enmity against God.

All seem to agree about this, that the great end of all the Lord's counsels and decrees is his own glory, to be manifested on men and angels; and that this must be first in his mind; not that there is first or last with him, but to speak after the manner of men. If he had many thoughts, as we have, this would be his first thought; and in this one purpose this end is chiefly aimed at, and all other things are by the Lord's counsel subordinate to this, as means to compass that. But as concerning the order of these means, and consequently of his majesty's purpose about them, men, by examining his majesty according to the creature's rules, or according to sense, bring him down far below his own infinite greatness. Some conceive that that was first, as it were, in his mind which is first done. Looking upon the execution of his purpose in the works of his power, they imagine, that as he first created man righteous, so this was his first thought concerning man, to create man for the glory of his goodness and power, without any particular determination as yet of his end. And I conceive, this is the thought of the multitude of people. They think God was disappointed in his work, when they hear he created such a glorious creature that is now become so miserable. They cannot believe that his majesty had all this sin and misery determined with him when he purposed to create him, but look upon the emergent of man's fall into sin and misery as a surprisal of his majesty; - as if he had meant another thing in creating him, and so was, upon this occasion of man's sin, driven to a new consultation about the helping of the business, and making the best out of it that might be. Thus 'through wisdom' the world knows not God. They think God altogether like themselves, and so liken him to the builder of a house, who set nothing before him in doing so, but to build it after that manner for his own ends; but then being surprised with the fall and ruin of it, takes a new advisement, and builds it up again upon another and a surer foundation. But because they cannot say, that God takes any new advisements in time, but must confess that all his counsels are everlasting concerning all the works of his hands, therefore they bring in foreknowledge to smooth their irreligious conceit of God; as if the Lord, upon his purpose of creating man, had foreseen what should befall him, and so purposed to permit it to be so, that out of it he might erect some glorious fabric of mercy and justice upon the ruins of man. And that little or nothing may be left to the absolute sovereign will of God, to which the Scripture ascribes all things, they must again imagine, that upon his purpose of sending Christ to save sinners, he is yet undetermined about the particular end of particular men, but watches on the tower of foreknowledge to espy what they will do, whether men will believe on his Son or not, whether they will persevere in faith or not; and according to his observation of their doings, so he applies his own will to carve out their reward or portion of life or death. These are even the thoughts which are inbred in your breasts by nature. That which the learned call Arminianism is nothing else but the carnal reason of men's hearts, which is enmity to God. It is that very disputation which Paul in this chapter exclaims against, 'Who art thou, O man, that disputest?'

~~Hugh Binning, Of Predestination.

Amazing Trivia

The spitball, a pitch in baseball in which the ball is tampered with (spit on, scuffed, smeared with petroleum oil or peanut butter, etc.) in order to affect the movement of the ball during the pitch, was permitted in Major League Baseball until 1920. Back in the day, the same baseball was used for much of the game, unlike today where they replace the ball after every couple pitches -- the ball was sometimes stained with various substances, including tobacco spit. The spitball was difficult for the batter to see coming. It was in 1920 when Ray Chapman was hit with a spitball pitch. Ray Chapman died 12 hours later, from injuries to his skull. There is some dispute whether or not Chapman's death was the cause of the ban of the spitball.

Crop circles, the "phenomena" where some guys use a board to smash down wheat, corn, or other crops, into sometimes elaborate designs, may have been around in the 1600's. A pamphlet (August 22nd, 1678) called "The Mowing Devil" features a woodcut of a devil smashing down crops into a circle. Hmm...

It seems that when lifting weights to gain strength, one set of 12 reps may be almost as effective for the average joe, as the classic 12 rep/3 set workout.

Amazing!

Yes! My knees are sore.

Tonight I was icing the inside of both my knees, and do you know why?

Because Karate class tonight was AWESOME, that's why.

Mocking Popery ≠ Christianity

To say that men may lawfully eat flesh on a Friday, and to mock all the superstitions of popery, and to say that they are but empty and trivial things -- that they can do with ease. But, at the same time, if a man asks them what it is to be regenerate, what patience is, what newness of life is, and what it is to be fashioned again after the image of God -- there the majority of them will show that they never tasted the truth of the gospel, but have disregarded all but the externals, and never came to the real substance of it.

~John Calvin, The Twenty-Ninth Sermon on Ephesians.

I pity the Poor Immigrant

I took this idea from Willena's blog.

"I pity the poor immigrant, when his gladness comes to pass." -- Bob Dylan.

dylan bob lyrics

song lyrics

I'm kind of ashamed

I'm kind of ashamed because I joined alot of people in just assuming that JonBenet's parents were involved in her murder. I don't mean only that they were responsible for dressing her up like a model and painting her face like a prostitute so as to attract sick perverts, I mean that I assumed that one or both of them must have murdered her.

It looks like I was wrong, and I feel bad about that -- not about being wrong, I'm that all the time. I'm sorry I thought such an ugly thought about them without knowing the facts.

It makes me think about how many times I may have done this sort of thing. It makes me think that I need to work harder to have charitable estimations of others.

LXXVII. Ques. What is required in the ninth commandment?

Ans. The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour's good name, especially in witness-bearing.

....

Q. 11. What doth the ninth commandment require of us, in reference to the good name of our neighbour?
A. The ninth commandment requireth of us, in reference unto the good name of our neighbour, the maintaining and promoting thereof as our own, and that both in regard of ourselves and in regard of others.

Q. 12. How ought we to maintain and promote our neighbour's good name, in regard of ourselves?
A. We ought to maintain and promote our neighbour's good name, in regard of ourselves — 1. By looking unto, and having a due esteem of, the worth and the good things which are in them. "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." — Phil. 2:4. "Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake." — 1 Thess. 5:13. 2. By liking, and loving, and desiring, and giving thanks to God for their good name and fame. "I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." — Rom. 1:8. 3. By a ready receiving a good report concerning them, and rejoicing therein. "I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came, and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth." — 3 John 3. "Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." — 1 Cor. 13:6. 4. By deafening the ear against and discouraging talebearers, backbiters, slanderer; who speak evil of their neighbours. "That taketh not up a reproach against his neighbour." — Ps. 15:3. "The north wind driveth away rain; so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue." — Prov. 25:23. 5. By grieving at their faults, which expose them unto disgrace, with desires and endeavours to promote their amendment and the recovery of their reputation. "For, out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you." — 2 Cor. 2:4.

Q. 13 How ought we to maintain and promote our neighbour's good name, in reference unto others?
A. We ought to maintain and promote our neighbour's good name, in reference unto others — 1. By giving that honour unto them which is their due, speaking well of them behind their backs, freely acknowledging their gifts and graces, and good things, and preferring them in honour before ourselves. " Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." — 1 Pet. 2:17. " Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record, and ye know that our record is true." — 3 John 12. "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." — 1 Cor. 1:4, 5, 7. " Be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." — Rom. 12:10. " Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory, but, in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves." — Phil. 2: 3. 2. ;By defending their reputation and good name, in endeavours to prevent or stop any evil or false report concerning them, and to vindicate them so far as we can; especially when we are called before a magistrate to bear witness to their innocency, so far as it is consistent with truth. "Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?" — 1 Sam. 22:14. 3. By concealing and covering their faults and infirmities when we may, with unwillingness to expose them unto disgrace; and, in the spirit of meekness, endeavouring to restore them when they are overtaken and fallen into sin. "Charity shall cover the multitude of sins." — 1 Pet. 4:8. "Joseph, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately." — Matt. 1:19. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." — Gal. 6:1. 4. By reproving them before others only when there is need, and that with a respect unto their condition, and remembrance of what is praise-worthy in them. "If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more," &c. — Matt. 18:15, 16. "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience," &c. "Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee," &c. — Rev. 2:2, 4.

~Vincent's Commentary upon Shorter Catechism Q&A #77.

It also makes me think about how easy it is to have one's thoughts and opinions guided by the media.

Tai Chi application

Tai Chi is a very slow, graceful, and really sorta strange exercise. Here's a video of some of those slow, graceful, strange moves applied. Oh... ~that's~ what that is!

Some Words of Matthew Henry, on Samson

We've been reading through Judges in the mornings as a family, and we just finished up on the life and death of Samson. Having been pressed upon the duty of making good use of the tools we have today to help us understand the Bible better (from reading the Westminster Larger Catechism's question and answer #157, and J.G. Vos' commentary thereon), I turned to Matthew Henry to help me understand more about this "riddle of a man" named Samson. Some of Rev. Henry's thoughts to ponder:

"Samson did only begin to deliver Israel (David was afterwards raised up to complete the destruction of the Philistines), but our Lord Jesus is both Samson, and David too, both the author and finisher of our faith."

"It is no part of religion to go contrary to the innocent usages of the places where we live; nay, it is a reproach to religion when those who profess it give just occassion to others to call them covetous, sneaking, and morose. A good man should strive to make himself, in the best sense, a good companion."

"It were well for us if the unkindnesses we meet with from the world, and our disappointments in it, had but this good effect upon us, to oblige us by faith and prayer to return to our heavenly Father's house and rest there. The inconveniences that occur in our way should make us love home and long to be there."

"When differences happen between near relations, let those be ever reckoned the wisest that are most forward to forgive and forget injuries."

"The mischief we seek to escape by any unlawful practices we often pull upon our own heads."

Wylie on Descending Covenant Obligation

...to prove the transmission of the obligation of religious covenants to posterity, or those who enter into them representatively. In doing this we shall select some of the scripture passages which establish the point most clearly.

1. We find posterity recognized in the transaction between God and Jacob, in Beth-el, Gen. 28:13, where the good old patriarch, travelling to Padan-aram, in the visions of the night, had a remarkable interview with God. He engages to give unto Jacob and his seed all the land of Canaan. More than a thousand years from that time, this engagement is pleaded by his posterity, as having been made with them. Hos. 12:4, In allusion to this transaction, they say, "He found him" (Jacob) "in Beth-el, and there he spake with us." There he covenanted with us in the loins of our father Jacob.

2. We have another remarkable instance of the transmission of covenant obligation to posterity, in Deut. 5:2,3, "The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even with us, who are all of us here alive this day." There are several things connected with this passage, peculiarly deserving notice.

(1.) The covenant here alluded to, was made about eight or nine weeks after Israel's departure from Egypt. Compare Exod. 12:6 with 19:1.

(2.) It is now the eleventh month of the fortieth year, since they began their journey, Deut. 1:1. They are in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, attending to the rehearsal of the law.

(3.) All who had actually and personally for themselves entered into this covenant are now dead save three, viz. Moses, Caleb and Joshua, Num. 26:64,65, "But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel, in the wilderness of Sinai. For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun."

(4.) All the persons now addressed, save Caleb and Joshua, must either be such as were minors at the making of this covenant, and so not able to engage for themselves; or such as were born after that period. Yet mark how Moses addresses them. He declares, the LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, that is, with our fathers only, but also with us, even with us who are all of us here alive this day. Can words be more explicit in demonstrating the transmission of covenant obligation to posterity?

3. We have another example of the same kind full in point, Deut. 29:10-15, which respects the renovation of the Sinaic covenant. Here Moses addresses the whole congregation. "Ye stand this day, all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel, Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water: That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day."

To this important duty they are exhorted, from the consideration, that it would be an excellent mean of establishing them in the land whither they went. "Neither," saith he, "with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; but with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day." The covenant is here made with persons of three different descriptions. One of them is addressed or spoken to. "Neither with you only," &c. intimating that the covenant was made with them but not exclusively: others are comprehended. Two descriptions are spoken of. One of these is present, represented by the words, "Him that standeth here with us," &c. which evidently point out minors, who were yet incapable of covenanting for themselves. The other is absent, namely, "Him that is not here with us this day." This could have no reference to any of the Israelites then in existence, as they were all present. It must therefore include posterity, yet to be begotten, together with all future accessions to their community, of those then considered strangers and aliens from the common-wealth of Israel. With them, Moses informs us the covenant was made, as well as with those who actually entered into it, in the plains of Moab.

4. Another instance, in which posterity is recognized in covenant obligation, is found in Josh. 9:15. This covenant was made between the children of Israel, and the Gibeonites. Between four and five hundred years after that time, the children of Israel are visited with a very severe famine, in the days of David, 2 Sam. 21:1. And it is expressly declared by the LORD that "It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites." And at the same time, ver. 2, that very covenant is recognized, and the breach of it stated, as being the formal reason of the Divine displeasure. Now, had it not been for this covenant, the extirpation of the Gibeonites would not have been imputed to Israel as a thing criminal; for they were comprehended in the Canaanitish nations, which God had commanded them to root out.

It may here be thought singular, seeing the LORD had expressly forbidden Israel to make any league with the inhabitants of the land of Canaan, that, notwithstanding, when they sinfully entered into covenant with them contrary to his command, this deed should be held valid by God, and they punished for the violation of it.

Perhaps this difficulty may be solved, by distinguishing the commands of God, into moral natural and moral positive. The former, God commands, because they are necessarily right, and their contrary inconsistent with the perfections of his nature. The latter are right, because God commands them. For any thing we know, they flow from his arbitrary will, and , had it pleased him, commands different or contrary would have been equally right. These commands, of course, he may reverse whenever he chooses. God's moral subjects have no right of this kind. They are bound to obey every one, even the least of his commandments. The violation of them is highly criminal. Neither ought we to come under any obligation to do what they forbid. But if any man, or community of men, should ignorantly engage to do what is contrary to a command which is only moral positive, provided God recognizes the deed, the person or persons are bound, however criminal they were in coming under the obligation. This we presume was the situation of things, in the point before us. Israel was criminal in entering into a league with the Gibeonites, contrary to the command of God. But there was nothing, in the matter of this deed, inconsistent with the divine perfections, or contrary to the moral natural law of God. He could never recognize or sanction an oath, whereby his subjects would be bound to act inconsistently with his divine attributes.

5. Another passage of scripture full in point is found in Jer. 11:10. God brings a charge against his people in these words. "The house of Israel, and the house of Judah have broken my covenant, which I made with their fathers." Now it would be inconsistent to suppose, that, God would charge any with breach of covenant obligation, except those who had really covenanted; but he charges the house of Israel, and the house of Judah, with breach of covenant obligation; therefore they had really covenanted. But the covenant was "made with their fathers," and yet they are considered as really bound, as if it had been actually entered into by themselves.

6. This doctrine is proved also by infant baptism. It would be foreign from the point in hand, to enter upon a probation of the propriety of baptising infants. This at present I take for granted. To those who admit it, the argument will have the same force, as if it had been proved.

Our Westminster Divines very justly observe that "Baptism seals our ingrafting into Christ,—and engagement to be the Lord's." Baptism, like circumcision, is a seal of the righteousness of the faith, Rom. 4:11.. But seals are confirmatory of the deeds to which they are appended, and necessarily involve an obligation. Now when the person baptised, in infancy, comes to maturity he is either bound agreeably to the tenor of the obligation, or he is not. If he is bound, whence does his obligation arise? Not from his own act, for he was merely passive in the whole matter. It must arise from the connexion established by divine institution between him and his parent in this particular act. Between the parent and the child there is a representative identification, so that, whatever is actually done by the father in this representative capacity, is virtually done by the child, and thus the deed of the one becomes obligatory upon the other.—But supposing the child is not bound, when he arrives at maturity, then his baptism in infancy was useless. It was a mere form and cypher. He wants what was essential to the ordinance, viz. obligation to resist the devil, the world and the flesh, and to be for Christ alone. He ought now to be baptized, as having never before received this holy ordinance.

7. The truth of this doctrine may be further illustrated from the common practice of wills, or testamentary deeds among men. By these the heirs of the testator are bound. It may be here objected, that the example is not to the point, because the legatees are bound only inconsequence of their coming into the possession of the deceased's inheritance, but should they disclaim all interest in the estate, the obligation would not extend to them. Be it so. Then it will at least follow, that those who choose to enter upon the religious inheritance of their ancestors, are bound by their deeds. But is it a mere optional thing, whether they receive the inheritance or not? In whatever our ancestors erred, their deeds could neither bind themselves nor us. But, so far as they were right, we are bound to enter upon the inheritance, and endeavour to transmit it, with all possible improvements to posterity. See Psalm 78:1.

~Rev. Samuel Wylie, Discourse on the Obligation of Covenants, 1803.

Another Day, Another Study

Throw away your vitamins, and drink more wine!

I like the wine part.

I'm still here

Wow, this might be the longest I ever went without writing something here. Well, I'm still alive and kicking (figuratively and literally). It's been an emotionally draining, very busy, couple of weeks that included a family trip, what I thought was the death of a family member (the family member, it turns out, only appeared to be dead, and after a while in the hospital, pulled through -- there's alot more to this story that I'll probably just keep to myself), contact with a couple ministers that I hope leads to bigger things (but if not, at least I have some more Christian friends), and a bunch more other stuff I can't seem to summon to mind right now.

So, last evening, I'm upstairs putting on a tee-shirt with the intent of going into the basement and lifting some weights, so as to improve upon my manly big bulkiness, when I hear a ruckus from outside. I bend my hear, and figure out that there is a kid (don't ask me how old... old enough to know better, that's for sure) yelling down my walkway, into my yard, demanding that a neighborhood girl that my kids were playing with come out to him. My kids responded by protecting her -- "Go away, she doesn't want to talk to you. You're not allowed in our yard." etc. This punk, purporting to be in our city's "Most Dangerous" gang, continued while I'm putting on my shirt. Then I heard "Do you think I'm afraid of you ****ing little kids?!" "Oh, no he didn't just say that," I thought to myself as I grabbed my sneakers and ran down the steps, blasted my front screen door open, threw my shoes down on the porch and sat down in a chair, so that I am know staring face to face, eye to eye, with this creep, and I start putting my socks and shoes on. He says, "I'm asking for A_____ to come out and talk to me." I yelled... and I mean I YELLED... "I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID!!!," giving him my best nasty, about to get medieval, look. Then, still staring at him with daggers for eyes, I told him, "You better split before I get these shoes on!" in a kind of "I came out here to do two things: Put on my shoes, and kick your rump black and blue.... and I'm almost done putting my shoes on." He looked at me and asked, "What?" I repeated, "YOU BETTER SPLIT BEFORE I GET MY SHOES ON!" He and his buddy, who I guess I didn't notice was standing there until this point, ran away. This is not the first time I've had to chase people off my property
Man, that fired me up. I almost lost it. We're all but fed up with living in the city. I want to go live in the woods.

LOVE TO GOD'S PEOPLE

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee" (Psalm 122:6).

"LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? [He] in whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD" (Psalm 15:1, 4).

"If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us" (1John 4:12).

"Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee" (Numbers 24:9).

"God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (Hebrews 6:10).

"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him" (1John 3:14, 18, 19).

Clarke's Precious Bible Promises(Thanks, Tom!).

Karataaaaaaaaaayaaaah!

Ebaying...

A print depicting a group of Covenanters having their worship time interrupted by a group of soldiers coming to arrest them, by William H. Weatherhead.



My birthday is right around the corner (February).

For more info on Presbyterians being arrested, tortured, and killed by the government, while the government-issued "preachers" told everyone to submit this this "ordinance of God," see A Cloud of Witnesses. Thanks to two of my friends, A Cloud of Witnesses can also be read here.

Yeah, tell me about it.

"People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent."

-Bob Dylan.

Waldensian Covenanters

from The History of Protestantism
Volume Second - Book Sixteenth
by Rev. James Aitken Wylie, LL.D.

Chapter 7:

The Waldenses of Lucerna sent deputies across the mountains, then covered to a great depth with snow, to propose an alliance with the Protestants of the Valley of Pragelas, who were at that time threatened by their sovereign Francis I. The proposed alliance was joyfully accepted. Assembling on a plateau of snow facing the mountains of Sestrieres, and the chain of the Guinevert, the deputies swore to stand by each other and render mutual support in the coming struggle. It was agreed that this oath of alliance should be sworn with a like solemnity in the Waldensian Valleys.

The deputies from Pragelas, crossing the Mount Julien, arrived at Bobbio on the 21st January, 1561. Their coming was singularly opportune. On the evening before a ducal proclamation had been published in the Valleys, commanding the Vaudois, within twenty-four hours, to give attendance at mass, or abide the consequences–"fire, sword, the cord: the three arguments of Romanism," says Muston. This was the first news with which the Pragelese deputies were met on their arrival. With all the more enthusiasm they proceeded to renew their oath. Ascending a low hill behind Bobbio, the deputies from Pragelas, and those from Lucerna, standing erect in the midst of the assembled heads of families, who kneeled around, pronounced these words-"

In the name of the Vaudois Churches of the Alps, of Dauphine and of Piedmont, which have ever been united, and of which we are the representatives, we here promise, our hands on our Bible, and in the presence of God, that all our Valleys shall courageously sustain each other in matters of religion, without prejudice to the obedience due to their legitimate superiors.

"We promise to maintain the Bible, whole and without admixture, according to the usage of the true Apostlic Church, persevering in this holy religion, though it be at the peril of our lives, in order that we may transmit it to our children, intact and pure, as we received it from our fathers.

"We promise aid and succor to our persecuted brothers, not regarding our individual interests, but the common cause; and not relying upon man, but upon God."

The physical grandeurs of the spot were in meet accordance with the moral sublimity of the transaction. Immediately beneath was spread out the green bosom of the valley, with here and there the silver of the Pelice gleaming out amid vineyards and acacia groves. Filling the horizon on all sides save one stood up an array of magnificent mountains, white with the snows of winter. Conspicuous among them were the grand peaks of the Col de Malaure and the Col de la Croix. They looked the silent and majestic witnesses of the oath, in which a heroic people bound themselves to die rather than permit the defilement of their hearths, and the profanation of their altars, by the hordes of an idolatrous tyranny. It was in this grand fashion that the Waldenses opened one of the most brilliant campaigns ever waged by their arms.

One Red Paperclip

Kyle MacDonald, a fellow Blogspot blogger, set out to get a house by trading one red paperclip for something of greater value, and that item for another item of greater value, and continued to trade up like this until he finally traded for a house.

He actually did it, in 14 trades over the course of one year!



LOL @ “I will go anywhere in the world except for Yahk, British Columbia.”!!!

This guy falls into that "Why didn't I think of that?!" category, like the inventor of the Pet Rock, or the original "Send me a dollar" website person. A paperclip? A paperclip! Wow.

Pain. Pain. And good on Daniel!

Please pray for me and my family. The problems mentioned in the previous post are not all resolved, and I'm having to make difficult decisions, and am being asked to answer problems that I have no answers for.

I am also in some physical pain in my neck and shoulders -- probably stemming from rolling full-on with my partner in karate class the other night. We were doing headlock escapes, and my (blackbelt) partner and I made a contest out it, fully resisting one another. I think I held my own, but I have sore muscles in my neck (and face!) that I didn't know could get sore. Yesterday it got worse (alot of driving, walking, pushing a stroller, piggy backing kids, and other daddy-duties), and overnight it got worse yet. Ouch.

IN OTHER NEWS:

The world may not be ready for this... but too bad, you's better get ready:



Daniel earned his white belt! Yep, at our school you must earn the white belt too. The fury has been unleashed -- prepare or suffer the consequences!

Oh, what a night!

In the course of reading this my blog, one might be able to gather that my life does not always go smoothly (whatever smoothly is). However, I often do not share all of the details, but only little tiny bits and pieces. This is because although I do want my friends to know of my struggles and triumphs, that they might weep with me and rejoice with me, yet I do not want this to be a river of crying and self pity, nor do I want to uncover the nakedness of my loved ones by naming them. And so, sometimes things like I'm about to say will not always make sense, unless you know me "in real life" and can put two and two together (two taken from blog entries like this, and the other two provided by real life info). That being prefaced...

MAN did I have a lousy night last night! The evening I intended to have was to be something like this -- I stop by the karate school to pick the kids up and bring them home, eat a nice meal together with my family, maybe catch a quick rejuvinating power nap, spend some helping little Daniel perfect the art of bicycle riding, and maybe go to karate class myself or lift weights in my basement (depending on my mood), and then end the day with family worship, put the kids to bed, and have some "husband and wife time" as opposed to all the "mommy and daddy" time we put in having seven kids.

Ok, I was able to pick the kids up and bring them home. Sometimes the best made plans and all that. A phone call started it. I had to go help, as I wasn't going to let him go through this kind of thing alone. So I kiss my wife goodbye for the night, tell the kids "I have to go take care of something, daddy will be back soon," and down the road like a Greyhound.

Long long long story short short short: My evening involved two very drunk people, one of them hostile from the beginning, one of them growing more hostile as the night went on; confiscating bottles and bottles of oxycodone, ativan, and many other pills, some of which are unlabelled; police; an ambulance; a crisis intervention worker; suicidal threats; physical violence; coming ~this~ close to having to put a guy flat on his back to take an involuntary nap for our safety and for his own good; disgusting filthy stories and accusations; and a few hours of the most blasphemous, ugly, bizarre, heinous, malicious, nasty verbal abuse that I've ever been subjected to collectively in my whole life.

But, I'm home and safe, though a little tired, and a bit sick to my stomach. Could've been worse, for sure.

God Keeps His Promises -- A Lesson from the Book of Joshua

"And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass." --Joshua 21:43-45.

The performance makes the promise appear very true and the promise makes the performance appear very kind.

I. God had promised to give the seed of Abraham the land of Canaan for a possession, and now at last he performed this promise (v. 43): They possessed it, and dwelt therein. Though they had often forfeited the benefit of that promise, and God had long delayed the performance of it, yet at last all difficulties were conquered, and Canaan was their own. And the promise of the heavenly Canaan is as sure to all God's spiritual Israel, for it is the promise of him that cannot lie.

II. God had promised to give them rest in that land, and now they had rest round about, rest from the fatigues of their travel through the wilderness (which tedious march, perhaps, was long in their bones), rest from their wars in Canaan, and the insults which their enemies there had at first offered them. They now dwelt, not only in habitations of their own, but those quiet and peaceable ones; though there were Canaanites that remained, yet none that had either strength or spirit to attack them, nor so much as give them an alarm. This rest continued till they by their own sin and folly put thorns into their own beds and their own eyes.

III. God had promised to give them victory and success in their wars, and this promise likewise was fulfilled: There stood not a man before them, v. 44. They had the better in every battle, and which way soever they turned their forces they prospered. It is true there were Canaanites now remaining in many parts of the land, and such as afterwards made head against them, and became very formidable. But, 1. As to the present remains of the Canaanites, they were no contradiction to the promise, for God had said he would not drive them out all at once, but by little and little, Exod. xxiii. 30. They had now as much in their full possession as they had occasion for and as they had hands to manage, so that the Canaanites only kept possession of some of the less cultivated parts of the country against the beasts of the field, till Israel, in process of time, should become numerous enough to replenish them. 2. As to the after prevalency of the Canaanites, that was purely the effect of Israel's cowardice and slothfulness, and the punishment of their sinful inclination to the idolatries and other abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord would have cast out before them but that they harboured and indulged them. So that the foundation of God stands sure. Israel's experience of God's fidelity is here upon record, and is an acquittance under their hands to the honour of God, the vindication of his promise which had been so often distrusted, and the encouragement of all believers to the end of the world: There failed not any good thing, no, nor aught of any good thing (so full is it expressed), which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel, but in due time all came to pass, v. 45. Such an acknowledgment as this, here subscribed by Joshua in the name of all Israel, we afterwards find made by Solomon, and all Israel did in effect say Amen to it, 1 Kings viii. 56. The inviolable truth of God's promise, and the performance of it to the utmost, are what all the saints have been ready to bear their testimony to; and, if in any thing the performance has seemed to come short, they have been as ready to own that they themselves must bear all the blame.

--Matthew Henry.

Dumb and Blind

Local dumb and blind idolators worship a dumb and blind statue.

Interesting phrases from the article:

"My husband and I have heard lots of stories about people who have been cured by the statue. That’s the main reason why I have come here to pray in front of her."

"...to worship the Madonna..."

"...a special Mass in honor of the statue."

God says,

"For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it" (Habakkuk 2:17-19)

"The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them"(Psalm 135:15-18).

"It's ok, we're here to help... OOPS!!!"

Cop accidently shoots man out of a fig tree, thought he was using a stun gun.

Thanks, officer! I feel safer just by your presence!

Sight through a Glass, and Face to Face

A poem, by David Dickson.

I Love the windows of thy grace,
thro' which my Lord is seen,
I long to meet my Saviour's face,
without a glass between.
Oh! that the happy hour were come,
to change my faith to sight:
I shall behold my Lord at home
in a diviner light.
Haste my beloved, and remove
these interposing days;
Then shall my passions all be love,
and all my pow'rs be praise.

One more

The testing today was a very humbling experience. I just didn't have my best stuff today. I messed up some things, but recovered ok I guess. After I was done testing, I thought to myself, "Jerry, you're stinking the place up, this is not your best work." But a black belt came up to me and said, "You look awesome. You're going to make a very good black belt when you get there." And at the end of it all, I was presented with my brown belt. So, I'm tired, and relieved, and humbled, and... am looking forward to getting one more.

World Cup Update

This post consists mostly of a comment I left over at Erica's blog, about all the excitement about World Cup Soccer! Since the streets of America are in such a buzz about the big game this morning between America and Ghana, I decided to turn that comment into post of my own.

WORLD CUP UPDATE!!!

Look, I know that this is the biggest sporting event in the world and everything, but you have to understand something....

Americans don't care.

Americans don't care about soccer. And do you want to know why? Because it's not American. Americans care about REAL sports, like football (no, not soccer; soccer is not football, despite what the entire world thinks; soccer is soccer; FOOTBALL is football; the closest we'll come to acknowledging that soccer is football is to call the table game with the little guys with no legs "fussball"), baseball, and basketball. Americans love football, baseball, and basketball, because those sports are AMERICAN, and we don't care about anything that is un-American. Hockey, the distant 4th sport, being a Canadian invention, is only slightly acknowledged as a real sport -- the vast majority of Americans would rather watch a regular season FOOTBALL game over a playoff hockey game. And NO ONE is taking off work today to watch the American soccer team play Ghana, or Togo, or Quiznos, or whoever else gathered a bunch of guys to run around and kick a ball to an exciting 0-0 tie, or even an amazing 1-0 "blowout." Americans to NOT care about soccer, and they never will. Americans still measure themselves by feet and inches, drive on the right side of the street, can't find Ghana on a map, and are more interested in whether or not Terrell Owens looks good at Dallas Cowboy's mini-camp than they are concerned for soccer, even "American soccer."

One more thing, until American athletes grow up to be soccer players, instead of football, basketball, and baseball players, we will never win a World Cup. Until this country's Dwayne Wades, Derek Jeters, LaDainian Tomlinsons, Brian Urlachers, and
Kevin Garnetts grow up saying "I want to be a soccer player!" we aren't going to win squat. Do you know why the U.S.'s best athletes do not grow up to play soccer? It's because there is no money in soccer, because Americans don't care about soccer.

This has been WORLD CUP UPDATE.

UPDATE ON THE UPDATE: USA 1, GUANO 2. The streets are filled with crying Americans overturning cars and setting trash dumpsters on fire.

"Jesus Christ, this is the true God, and eternal life." -- John the Beloved.

THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST.
BY A STUDENT.

Excerpted from:

THE
ORIGINAL COVENANTER.
VOL. II. SEPTEMBER, 1880. NO. 15.

He that hath the Son hath life.—1 John 5.12.

As in the days of our Lord’s personal ministry on earth, various views were entertained concerning his person and work; so in our own day the opinions of men on the subject are various and conflicting. To the question of the Saviour, "Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" the answer must contain many and opposing sentiments. Some, as the Arians, will admit that he is a super-angelic being, the best and noblest of all the creatures of God; while others, as the Socinians, regard him only as a man possessed of all human virtue. But while men are so divided in their opinions on the doctrine of Christ’s divinity, his true disciples are united in testifying to his supreme deity. The confession of all such will accord with that of Peter addressing his Master, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Anything short of this derogates from the honor due to his divine person.

That Jesus Christ is God, equal with the Father, the Scriptures furnish abundant proof. He is expressly called the true God—"We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true; and we are in him that is true, even in his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5.20. These words teach most plainly the divine personality of the Son of God. They are the testimony which the Father has given concerning his Son, whom he commands all men to honor, even as they honor himself. In the latter part of the verse cited, the pronoun "this" {470} clearly refers to "Jesus Christ," immediately preceding; and it is of the person designated by this title, that the remainder of the verse is affirmed—"the true God and eternal life." Though the word "God" in the Bible is sometimes applied to angels and sometimes to magistrates, yet when so applied it never occurs in the form in which it is found in this verse. The "true God" is a title of Jehovah, and distinguishes him from all false gods and all creatures. In the 17th chapter of John, the Son designates the Father "the only true God," and the ascription of this title to the Son, proves him to be a divine person, equally with the Father. But this is only one of the many places in which he is explicitly called God, and in connections when it is impossible that any but the true God is intended. In the beginning of the Gospel by John it is declared, "The Word was God." Thus the "Word" here mentioned is a person, and that this person is the Son is proved by the 14th verse following—"The Word was made flesh," &c. In Acts 20.28, the elders are exhorted "to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." The "he" and "his" refer to God, immediately preceding. The language here used cannot be applied to the Father or to the Holy Ghost, for neither of them became incarnate, and, therefore, being a pure spirit, could not be said to purchase the church with his own blood. But the blood here mentioned is called the blood of God, emphatically "his own blood." There is but one in the universe to whom these words will truly apply, and that is to the eternal Son, who is God manifested in the flesh, true God and true man. Though blood can be predicated of his human nature only; yet by the indissoluble union subsisting between his humanity and his divine person, what could otherwise be attributed only to his human nature, can be ascribed to his whole person. Thus, having but one person, the blood of his natural body is called his own blood, which is indeed the blood of God. The language of this verse, therefore is irrefutable evidence that the Son is God, in the full sense of the word. But we are not limited to the New Testament for decisive proofs {471} of this doctrine. The Old Testament also furnishes conclusive evidence; and taken in the light which the New [Testament] has cast upon it, abundantly sustains the claim of the Son to an equality with the Father in all divine glory and perfections. By comparing John 12.41, with Isaiah 6.1, we are assured that he whom Isaiah saw sitting upon a throne, and who in the 5th verse is called the "Lord (Jehovah) of hosts," was the eternal Son. The ascription of the peculiar title Jehovah is sufficient of itself to establish the doctrine of his supreme deity; for it is the sacred name of the true God, and never in Scripture applied to any created being. It is expressive of his eternal self-existence, and contains in it that glory which he has declared he will not give to another. Isaiah 42.8. The Son is indeed a distinct person from the Father, yet in the divine subsistence he is one with the Father (John 10.30); so that the sacred name applied to the Son is not given to another. This title of Jehovah is frequently given to him throughout the Old Testament, as in Jer. 23.6, where he is called "the Lord (or Jehovah), our righteousness." All the visible appearances of God under the Old Testament economy were in the person of the Son, as appears from John 1.18—"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." He was one of the three men who appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre, and called a number of times in the same chapter by the name Jehovah. To him Abraham directed his address, and he remained while the other two went towards Sodom. Gen. 18.19. In Zech. 13.7, a man is declared to be the "fellow of the Lord of hosts." "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts, smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." In the New Testament, Christ applies this prophecy to himself, thus proving his identity with the man who was Jehovah’s fellow, the shepherd that was to be smitten. This verse clearly holds forth the equality of the Son with the Father. How could a {472} mere man or created angel be the fellow and companion of Jehovah? The most excellent of his creatures are but of yesterday, and their highest employment is in adoring the glory of Jehovah, while they cover themselves in conscious unworthiness. None could be the fellow of Jehovah who was not his equal, for he was infinitely exalted above the comprehension of any created intellect, and to any such intelligence, his counsel is unfathomable. Evidently the man here spoken of is the same who is described in the 8th chapter of Proverbs, as being "daily his (Jehovah’s) delight; rejoicing always before him."

In addition to all the names of the true God being given to him, the same attributes are ascribed to him as to the Father, which would not be lawful if he were not God equal with the Father. Thus, eternity is attributed to him (Micah 5.2): "Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." This is said of him who was to come out of Bethlehem to be ruler in Israel, who is obviously the Lord Jesus. Matt. 2.6. In the eighth chapter of Proverbs, under the character of wisdom, he says, "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." Immutability is also ascribed to him (Heb. 13.8.): "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever." (Heb. 1.12.), "Thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail." Omniscience is attributed to him (John 21.17): "Lord, thou knowest all things." He also knows all that passes in the minds of men (John 2.24): "He knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man; for he knew what was in man." (Matt. 12.25,) "Jesus knew their thoughts." This searching of the hearts of men is claimed by Jehovah, in the Old Testament, as his own special prerogative. Jer. 17.10. Amos 4.13. The ascription of this knowledge to Christ in the New Testament proves his equality with the Father.

He is also said to be omnipresent (Matt. 28.20): "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Christ, in making these promises to his disciples, {473} knew all the circumstances in which they would be placed till the end of time, and how widely they would be scattered; so that by his promise he is in all these meetings wherever they may be, though they be distant one from another. These promises he could not fulfill were he not the Almighty God, who alone is omnipresent and who filleth all in all.

The great work of creation is ascribed to him (John 1.5): "All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made." (Col. 1.16,17), "By him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible, and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist." The visible creation declares the glory of its creator. Even to those who are endowed with no other light than that of nature, the things that are made sufficiently proclaim the eternal power and Godhead of him who called them into being. Rom. 1.20. But when we consider the immeasurable extent of the universe, of which we see but a small speck; and the innumerable hosts of spiritual beings that are in heaven, we become lost in admiration of the power and glory of their omnipotent creator. All this is ascribed to Christ, and he upholds and governs the same. To any finite intelligence this is impossible. He only who is the Lord, wonderful in counsel and excellent in working, is capable of performing such a task. Those who say that Christ was only an instrument by which God created all things, and that he was only a creature destitute of creative power, are chargeable with a plain absurdity; for when it is said that all things were created by Christ, it is obvious that the word "all" is used in its universal signification, as is proved by John 1.3, "Without him was not one thing made that was made." Now, Christ is either God, eternally self-existent, or one of the "all things" that were made; and to say that he is a creature, seeing that he created all things, is to imply that he created himself, while he was a nonentity, which is nonsense. The only rational conclusion is, that he is {474} God, and that he created all things by his own inherent power.

He is also the author of the great work of redemption. Heb. 10.14, "By one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." Acts 20.28, "The church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." The work of redeeming a guilty world from the wrath and curse of an offended God could never be accomplished by any finite being. All creatures are dependent on the will of God for their being, and all that any of them can render to him is his own; and he requires all the services of his creatures as duties which they owe to him as creator. So that none could give a ransom to God for another, nor would the highest offering of the highest angel be of any more value as an atonement than the blood of bulls and of goats, which God has declared could not possibly take away sin. God is not profited by any of his creatures, and a jot or tittle of his law is of more value than heaven and earth. Matt. 5.18. But it is declared that Christ, by one offering, has forever redeemed and sanctified his people, and rendered that satisfaction to justice, which could not have been given by the eternal suffering of the whole human race. That his life was a sufficient ransom for the countless millions of his redeemed is full proof that he was a divine person: for as his body was a true natural substance, it of itself could not answer the ends of an atonement; therefore it must have been the infinite dignity of his person, to which his true body was united, that gave an infinite worth and efficacy to his sacrifice. His divinity was the altar that sanctified the gift.

Christ is also the proper object of worship, both by angels and men. (Heb. 1.6), "When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." Equal praise and blessing is ascribed, by the whole host of the universe, to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever. Rev. 5.13,14.

It is a divine command: "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matt. 4.10), and to render worship to any living creature is idolatry; to which sin God {475} has annexed the penalty of death. The fact that the Scriptures ascribe this worship to the Son equally with the Father and Holy Ghost, undeniably proves that he is divine. He accepted this worship from his disciples while on earth. Matt. 14.33; John 9.36. He commissioned his apostles to baptize in his name, as well as in the name of the other two persons of the trinity, which is certainly an act of religious homage, and their successors have continued to do the same to this day. So if we refuse to acknowledge the deity of the Son, we must conclude that he was a setter-up of idolatry, and failed in the work which he came to do. He was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil, of which idolatry is among the chief; and we are infallibly assured that he finished the work which his Father gave him to do (John 17.4); and consequently he could not countenance idolatry. This worship, therefore, is an additional proof of his supreme deity.

Thus we have seen that the Scriptures everywhere represent the Son as a divine person: 1st, by ascribing all the names and titles of God to him; 2d, by attributing to him divine attributes; 3d, by representing him as the author of creation and redemption, and 4th, by requiring equal worship and honor to be given to him as to the Father. These proofs should be sufficient to establish this important doctrine, and they are but a few of the many which the Scriptures contain; so that all who, with the Bible in their hands, deny the doctrine of Christ’s divinity, are willfully ignorant and guilty of refusing to "honor the Son even as they honor the Father."

DONE (with part one)

Bam! I'm back from the test, and I completed the ordeal, it's done. I'm awful tired though. In the space of one hour: 85 pushups, 85 situps, 65 tricep dips (off the edge of a chair), sitting against the wall with legs together x 3 1/2 minutes, and legs apart 3 1/2 minutes, and finish it all off with a 1.5 mile run. I felt good, no side stitches, no albuterol, not too much pain. Next up, the actual karate portion of the test -- show what I know.

I think these tests are good for me, as they are opportunities for me to practice getting through difficulties, what I falsely perceive to be my own limitations, and my own fears. I'm thankful to God for granting me strength, not only for this manufactured practice trial, but for all trials in this life.

Strength

"For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall" (Psalm 18:29).

I ate some raw honey this morning, on my toast, in my coffee, and right out of the jar like Winnie the Pooh Bear, hoping it will help give me a boost of energy:

"Boost endurance with raw honey. A recent study performed at the University of Memphis Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory showed that the blend of sugars found in raw honey can significantly increase an athlete's average power and endurance. In its natural state, raw honey is an immediate source of energy, full of B-complex vitamins, amino acids and enzymes. The darker the honey, the more nutrient value there is. Add honey to toast, cereal or tea for added sweetness and a quick boost of energy."

We'll see. I've also prayed that the LORD would be so gracious as to strengthen me for this little trial of mine.

Here goes...

I'm nervous

I'm very nervous about tomorrow's test. I hope I'm ready. I hope I do well. I'll be glad to have it done and over with.

Of Oneness Anabaptist Pacifist Heretics calling me Antichrist

As Deejay pointed out in a recent comment on my blog, she and I were called "Antichrist" by some kind of anti-Trinitarian Anabaptist fanatic moderator in an online forum. I heard word that the typical Calvin-bashing was going on there (you know, they were going on about how Calvin enjoyed killing children, torturing people who didn't go to church, burning people that disagreed with him or insulted him, etc.). So, I took a peek at what was going on, and decided to jump in with some points of clarification (you know, that Calvin was not a civil magistrate, he never arrested anyone, never tortured anyone, objected to Servetus being "slow-burned" at the stake, and a bunch of other stuff that I was told I was lying about!). I also addressed the fact that it is the duty of the civil magistrate to punish evil-doers, as they have "the sword," this was also not well-accepted. I quickly gathered that among those in the discussion were people of varying degrees of pacifism, anti-magistracy, Pelagianism/Semi-pelagianism, and of anti-Trinitarianism, specifically of the Oneness persuasion.

I was given a bunch of verses, all spoken by Jesus Christ, God blessed forever, intermixed with strange and novel conclusions. When I rejected the strange and novel conclusions, I was told I was rejecting the Son, fleeing from His Word, and demonstrating the Spirit of Antichrist (pretty much like all Calvinists do, according to these guys). I supplied my own argumentation, rich with Scriptural demonstrations, which were outright ignored. Finally, the term Antichrist was being thrown around, and I decided to bow out and give the following verse some consideration: A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.

You know, the whole episode gave me fresh appreciation for the idea of civil magistracy silencing and punishing heretics who will not respond to verbal Scriptural correction. It really is a big waste of time to argue with the incorrigible, something I certainly don't have time for anymore. What can you do? Lead the horse to water, as the horse bucks and pulls and bites, and hope and pray he will drink. But animals that continue to bite must be put down, no? Don't get me wrong, it's not my job to exercise such authority, but someone should be doing it. I also realize that I am not a pastor, and have no more authority to lead animals around than that which belongs to all Christians to mutually exhort and correct. So,

Here's some "water" for all the thirsty horses:

David Dickson's

Truth's Victory Over Error

Chapter. II.

Of God, and of the Holy Trinity.

QUESTION I.

"IS there but one only the true and living God?"

Yes; Deut. 6.4. 1 Cor. 8.4,6. 1 Thes. 1.7.

Well then, do not the Trithetiae err, who maintain, Three Gods numerically distinct, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost?

Yes.

Do not likewise the Manicheans err, who maintain, That there are two Gods, being diverse and opposite, as to kind, viz. one good, the author and cause of all good things, and of things immaterial, being the God of the New Testament. The other evil, viz. the devil, the author and cause of all evil things, and of things material, being the God of the Old Testament?

Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

1st, Because though there be a plurality of persons mentioned in Scripture, yet it is ever God as one as is evident from the first chapter of the Revelation and the last. For if that one God have in himself all perfections, there can be no perfection beside him, and so no God but this one true God; for if there were, he should not be God, because not infinite in perfection. And if God be infinite in perfection, then surely there cannot be multiplicity of gods, seeing that which is infinite, in that respect, cannot be multiplied.

2d, It is evident from Deut. 32.39. where the Lord speaketh of himself, I even I, am he, and there is no God without me.

3d, Because God is omnipotent, and so cannot be hindered by any other in his working, Rev. 15.3.

4th, It is evident from Christ's words to the young man of the gospel, there is none good but one, that is God.

5th, From the words of Hanna in her song, For there is none beside thee, O Lord, neither is there any rock beside our God.

6th, From the testimony of the apostle, 1 Cor. 8.6. To us, says he, there is but one God.

7th, From what Christ said to one of the scribes, viz. the Lord our God is one Lord, Mark 12.39.

8th, Because God is a most absolute, and most perfect being, and so beyond all other things, one: John 10.29. Psalms 145.3. 147.5.

9th, Because this one blessed God is most absolutely sufficient, and furnished with infinite power, and wisdom, for the production, conversation, and ruling all things in heaven and earth.

10th, Because he is of all things without himself, the first and supreme cause, from which all the creatures visible or invisible, have their rise and beginning.

11th, It is evident, lastly, from the testimonies of the most wise heathens, who have been necessitated to acknowledge but one God only.

Quest. II. "Is God infinite in being and perfection?"

Yes; Job 11.7-9. 26.24.

Well then, do not the Vorstians, Socinians, and Anthropomorphitans err, who maintain, That God is finite in being, and perfection?

Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

1st, Because God hath a being from himself, and all things have their dependence from him: And therefore there can be nothing by which he can be limited, Rom. 11.36.

2d, Because God is every where present, in heaven and beyond the heavens, Jer. 23.24. Isa. 66.1.

3d, Because the Scripture affirms, that the perfection of God is the highest, is unmeasurable, unchangeable, and infinitely great, beyond all creatures, John 11.7-9. Psalm 115.3. Job 26.14.

Quest. III. "Is the only living and true God, a most pure Spirit, invisible, without a body and parts?"

Yes; John 4.24. 1 Tim. 1.17. Deut. 4.15,16. Luke 24.39.

Well then, do not the Vorstians, Anthropomorphitans, and Socinians err, who maintain, God to have a body, and endued with parts, and an outward shape and form?

Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

1st, Because God is the Father of spirits, Heb. 12.9.

2d, Because God is invisible, 1 Tim. 1.17.

3d, Because God is like to no bodily thing, nor can he be represented by any image, or corporeal likeness, Isa. 40.18. Acts 17.29.

Quest. IV. "Are there in the unity of the Godhead, three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity?"

Yes; 1 John 5.7. Matth. 3.16,17. Matt. 28.19. 2 Cor. 13.14.

Well then, do not the Arians and Socinians err, and others, Who deny the Godhead of the Son, and Holy Ghost?

Yes.

Do not likewise the Trithetiae err, Who deny the unity of the divine essence?

Yes.

Thirdly, Do not the Sabellians err, Who deny the real distinction of the persons?

Yes.

And lastly, Do not the Quakers err, who maintain, There are no persons in the Godhead?

Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

1st, From the places of Scripture already cited.

2d, From the apostolical benediction in which the three persons of the Godhead are called upon expressly, 2 Cor. 13.14.

3d, From 1 Cor. 12.4-6. Where the three persons are named Spirit, Lord, God. And from John 15.26. But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth.

4th, Because there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 1 John 5.7. These three must either be three persons, or three gods. This last is the height of impossibility; therefore they must be three persons. here they are put to silence, and have nothing to reply. Such is the strength and power of truth, which is able to stop the mouths of the greatest rebels against religion and reason. But there is good ground for the word Person, Heb. 1.3. where Christ is said to be the express image or impression of the Father's person. Because the person of the Son, perfectly represents the person of the Father, as an impression doth the seal: wherefore he is also called the image of the invisible God. Col. 1.15. The Greek word is hypostasis, substance or person, whereby is understood, the person of the Father as distinct from the Son, and subsisting of himself, and in himself, and is, as the original of the person of the Son, by an eternal and ineffable generation. That there are three persons in the Godhead; it is farther evident,

1st, From all the epistles written to the seven churches of Asia. For, as may be gathered from Rev. 1.1. it is the Father that sends, it is the Son that gives John the commission, and it is the Holy Ghost in the close, that is mentioned as joint speaker.

2d, Because in that epistle written to Thyatira, there are three distinctly named, first, the Father and the Son, in these words, These things saith the Son of God. Next, there is named in the last verse of that second chapter, the Spirit, he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

3d, Because in the beginning of that epistle to the church of Sardis, they are all three put together, These things, saith he, (viz. the Son) that hath the seven Spirits of God. Here God, that is the Father, is distinctly considered as another person. The seven Spirits are the Holy Ghost.

4th, Because these three persons are most fully and clearly distinguished in the fifth chapter. First, the Father sitting on the throne. Secondly, The Lamb, or the Son of God. And, Thirdly, The seven Spirits, or the Holy Ghost, so called from the pouring out of his gifts upon the churches, in that abundant manner, as if he were seven Spirits, or seven-fold Spirit.

It is evident also, that the Father, Son, and Spirit, are really distinct from one another, and are three persons. They are indeed, in respect of their essence, which is indivisibly communicable to them, one and the same God; but considered personally, they differ really, for the Father is not the Son, neither is he that sits upon the throne the Lamb: Neither the Father nor the Spirit were incarnate, but the Son, who died, and was buried, which cannot be said of none but of a person: It cannot be said that the Father died, or that the Spirit died. Next, Is not the Holy Ghost the Spirit of God, as the Son is the Son of God? And if that suppose a real distinct personality, this must do it also. Now, if the Father be God, and the Son be God, and the Spirit be God, who have one and the same divine nature and essence, indivisibly communicated to them; and so, if there be but one God, and yet these three really distinct, then they must be distinct persons, in respect of their personal properties, seeing they are persons, and distinct. The Son, as was said, is called the express image of the Father's person, which evidently shews, that the Father, considered as distinct from the Son, is a person, and subsists: If then thus it be, must not the Son, as distinct from the Father, and so lively and expressly representing his person, be a person also, having this from the Father? The same must be true likewise of the Holy Ghost, who is God equal with both, yet different from both; for he who proceedeth from the Father, and from the Son, must differ from the Father, and from the Son; as he who is begotten, must be distinct from him that begat him.

Some Quakers, either ignorantly or perversely, will have the word hypostasis, translated substance, as it is Heb. 11.1. and thus they read, Heb 1.3. The character or image of God's substance, which is to be understood of Christ, say they, not simply as God, but as man: but they might as well have said it signifies confident or confidence, because it is so translated 2 Cor. 9.4 and 2 Cor. 11.17. But they speak here consequentially to their own tenets, who in effect deny the Trinity, and all distinction between the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, not only in words, but in very deed. The apostle in this place is proving Christ the Son of God, to be the lord and heir of all things; because God created the worlds by him, He is the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person, upholdeth all things by the word of his power. These titles are here given to the Son of God, as a creator, and a preserver of all things, which belong to him only, according to his divine nature: Therefore these titles must be understood of Christ, forasmuch as he is the eternal Son of God, and a light from the eternal light, of one essence and glory with the Father; nevertheless distinguished from the person of the Father, by whom the Father executes his operations, and shews his properties, even as the sun by its light doth shine.

Quest. V. "Is the Son of God of the same substance, power, and eternity with the Father?"

Yes; 1 John 5.20. Rom. 9.5. Isa. 9.6.

Well then, do not the Arians err, who maintain, The Son to be a creature, brought forth before the foundations of the world?

Yes.

Do not likewise the Socinians err, who maintain, The Son to have had no existence, before he was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary?

Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

1st, From the Scriptures above cited.

2d, Because the Son is omnipotent, the creator and preserver of all things, Rev. 1.18. Col. 1.16,17.

3d, Because he is omniscient, and the searcher of the heart, Mat. 9.3,4. John 2.25. and 21.17.

Quest. VI. "Is the Holy Ghost God?"

Yes; Acts 5.3. 1 Cor. 6.19,20. 1 Cor. 3.16,17.

Well then, do not the Macedonians, or Pneumatomachians, Arians, Socinians, and many of the Anabaptists err who maintain, The Holy Ghost to be a creature, as do the Macedonians, or a power, virtue, or efficacy of the Father, as many Socinians and others do?

Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

1st, Because the Holy Ghost is to be worshipped as God, Mat. 28.19. 2 Cor. 13.14. Rev. 1.4.

2d, Because he is omniscient and knoweth all things, 1 Cor. 2.10,11.

3d, Because he is omnipotent, the maker, and preserver of all things, the worker of miracles, and it is he that sanctifies, and justifies the believers, Gen. 1.2. Psalm 33.6. Matth. 12.28. Compare Isa. 6.9. with Acts 28.25-27.

4th, Because Ananias is said to lie to the Holy Ghost, Acts 5.3. and v. 4 he is said not to lie to men, but to God.

5th, Because believers are said to be the temple of God, 1 Cor. 3.16,17. And they are said, 1 Cor. 6.19 to be the temple of the Holy Ghost; therefore the Holy Ghost is God, seeing to be the temple of God, and the temple of the Holy Ghost are the same.

6th, Because none can be properly sinned against but the true God; therefore the Holy Ghost is God, because many have been said to have sinned against the Holy Ghost. Matth. 12.31.

Quest. VII. "Doth not the Holy Ghost eternally proceed from the Father, and the Son?

Yes; John 15.26. Gal. 4.6.

Well then, doth not the Greek church err, who maintain, The Holy Ghost to proceed only from the Father?

Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

1st, Because he is sent by the Son, John 15.16. Acts 2.33.

2d, Because all things which are the Son's are the Father's except the personal properties by which they are distinguished; and all things are communicated from the Father to the Son, and consequently the Holy Ghost, John 16.13-15. Mat. 11.27. John 7.16.

3d, Because Christ gave to his apostles the Spirit by breathing it upon them, John 20.22. to shew that he proceeded from himself.

4th, Because he is the Spirit of the Son, no less than the Spirit of the Father: Gal. 4.6.

5th, Because if the Holy Ghost did not proceed from the Son, as truly as from the Father, he would not be a person really distinct from the Son which is contrary to John 14.16,17.

6th, Because it is said, John 16.14. He shall glorify me (namely, by his testimony, gifts, miracles) for he shall receive of mine, (that is, the doctrine of salvation which I have taught you, he shall also reveal it unto you, seeing he shall receive the same from me) and shall shew it unto you. And Rom. 8.9. He is called the Spirit both of the Father and of the Son. It is said if any man hath not the spirit of Christ; that is, the same Spirit which in the foregoing verse is called the Spirit of God, namely the Father, and is here also called the Spirit of Christ, because he also proceeds from Christ, and is procured for us by Christ, John 14.26. and 16.7.

No sugar to[day] in my coffee

Ahhh, I hurt my shoulder. No more workouts for me until "the ultimate workout" on Saturday (the physical fitness part of the Brown Belt test). I'd like to feel more prepared, but I'm not going to make any improvement over the next couple days anyway, and I can't risk hurting myself more. So, I'm just going to have to go in there and do it.

We ran out of sugar two days ago, or that I don't have any eggs to eat (ran out of those too), so if anyone could please email me some so I can eat breakfast today, that'd be totally sweet.

Birthday today

Daniel's 5th Birthday is today. While he's still "Little Daniel," he sure isn't "Baby Daniel" anymore. Wow... 5 years old. This morning Daniel got up early, and found me making coffee. He tells me that he had some really bad dreams, but he's not going to tell me what they were about because I "would flip out" if I heard about them. He hinted that one of the dreams was a sad one about a baby. So, he says he's just going to keep them "like a secret" and not share them with anyone.

We had a birthday party on Saturday for the twins (who turned 8 years old back in May), and for Daniel. Look, when you have this many kids, you just start having birthday "seasons," OK? So, the plan was for each kid to invite one or two guests, plus their 2 cousins were coming over -- we wanted to keep this kind of small. Well, the people Calle invited could not come, and so here it was late in the game, with not guests for Calle's birthday party. So she asks two girls at Karate Class to come, two very nice and well-behaved Mexican girls (who are cousins). Excellent, two last minute guests, all is well.

Saturday afternoon, when the party was supposed to start... no guests. No one showed up. We waited one hour later than the original start time, and by that time cousins Chandler and Spencer showed up. So, we start serving cake and icecream when a vehicle pulls in front of the house, and out come the two girls we invited, and two other little boys, and two other little girls, and mom, and grandmom (who habla no inglesa), and the vehicle drives off! So, we went from "where is everybody?" to "Mom, we have eight more people!" Now, to be fair, when we originally invited the girls, the mother asked me "Can family come?" gesturing to another little boy. I, of course, said "Si," apparently not understanding the ramifications of my open ended invitation. Wait, wait, it get's even more Mexican...

Get this, we had taco's for lunch, and beat on a pinata in the garage. That was the best pinata experience we ever had at our parties. Let's just say our guests knew how to whack that thing something fierce! It turned out very nicely, and we made a bunch of new friends. After they left, I talked a little about how it's kinda cool to have friends that are not the same as we are in many ways. So often it seems that people choose their friends based so much on common interests, that having friends around is just like having more or yourself around! This was a very different experience, and it was fun.

In other news: I'm very nervous about my Brown Belt testing, which starts this coming saturday (physical/conditioning test), and resumes next saturday (demonstrating that I know the curriculum, or, the Karate part of the test). I'm anxious for this to be over with. Do not get me wrong, I am NOT worried that I will not pass. I have confidence that I will pass just fine. But the testing process is a very challenging ordeal. I've been doing my pushups and situps and tricep dips and wall sitting, 2-3 times a week, for the past several weeks, but now with the test being in just 5 days, I'm wondering how I should proceed. Should I get one more, two more, none more, workouts in this week? Hmm...

Which brings me to the next topic: LEARN TO LOVE ANCHOVIES.

Maybe this is (the one) beer talking, but...

I felt pretty good while wrestling with a psychotic fella today (this was necessary for his own safety), and I even felt good right afterwards. But, while driving home from work, my back started hurting, and it's real stiff right now. If only I knew a Swedish girl that could walk on my back for me. Oh, wait... I'm married to one. Let's see, how can I get her to do this? Used to be that a wink and a nod would do the trick. But now I'm probably looking at painting a room, or getting a better paying job, or something of that magnitude. But my back hurts, lessening my ability to do these things. Oh, the horrid circular puzzle!

What do think I should do, Little J?


You don't know either, huh?

You know how I love the park.

All seven kids at Long's Park (big file, please be patient, or just nevermind it and look at the pic instead -- it's up to you).



Click here to watch 'All-Seven-@-the-Park'

[EDIT: LINK FIXED]

Health Food

Now I'm not a health food nut. I like me a good greasy burger, made out of whatever McDonald's makes them out of, any day of the week, twice on Thursdays. I don't care what the cow ate, if the steak tastes good. And don't tell me what the Chinese are using to make the won-ton "sausage," because I don't care cuz it's yummy. However, let me tell you about two things.

1. Whey Protein. I've been drinking one or two whey protein drinks a day. I mix a scoop (20 grams of protein) into a big cup of raw milk (how much protein's in a glass of raw milk???). Funny thing is that I seem to have gained a bit of weight, though everyone tells me I'm looking skinnier. Seems like I'm building muscle, losing fat. Cool thing about whey protein is that it has satiability, so it's like drinking a meal as far as hunger goes.

2. Raw Honey. Rachel's been taking a teaspoon or two of this daily for a couple months now, and her allergies (burning eyes, stuffy nose), which are normally very bad, have been very much under control (as in almost gone).

So, keeping in line with Willena and Cheryl's daily updates on what they ate, here's my breakfast so far this morning: 2 cups of coffee, sweetened once with raw honey (I usually sweeten my first cup, and just pour hot coffee into it without adding sweeetener for subsequent cups, not for health reasons, but perhaps just laziness), and 200 pushups. I'm not done with breakfast today though, I plan on a glass of milk and whey soon. Oh, and more coffee.

Medal Count

Yuck, sickness has come to our household. All the kids have, or are, barfing. Rach and I are just waiting for our turn. Fun, and just in time for summer!

Oh, I forgot to mention that the kids competed in their first tournament this past Saturday, an inter-school tournament. They competed in two events -- Universals (which are like kata, a one person exercise of pre-arranged moves in a pattern, but for the kids), and Sparring. They did very well -- Calle took Silver in Universals and Copper (4th) in Sparring. Conner took Gold in Universals and in Sparring. Cole brought home the Gold in Universals, and a Bronze in Sparring. Conner and Calle were in the same division -- hardly fair for people with differing last names!

500

(release the doves)

It's the 500th post! Ok that's it. That's the celebration. Everyone can go home now.
I didn't feel like blowing up balloons.

KNOPPIX SAVED MY LIFE! Ok, I'm exaggerating. But it did save me a whole lot of trouble. Windows went wiggy on me, telling me it couldn't load because of some .dll that couldn't be opened. I'm not a computer guy, see? So the only way for me to have a chance of fixing this problem, I need the internet so I can look up a solution, download the file I need, get a fix, or whatever. WELL HELLO! I CAN'T GET ON THE NET WITHOUT MY OPERATING SYSTEM OPENING. Then I remembered that a buddy of mine gave me a KNOPPIX cd a while back. So, I set my BIOS to load my CD-ROM drive first, stuck in the disk, and in a few minutes, my computer was running, but not on Windows. Knoppix is like Linux, but you use it from your CD-ROM drive, not your hard drive, so you don't have to reformat ANYTHING. I played around a bit to find out how to get hooked up to the internet, badabing, a few clicks here and there, danga da danga da dang, and got the problem fixed. NO FILES LOST.

So, I recommend to everyone to download Knoppix, burn a disk, and at the very least keep it around for emergencies.

Here's your assignment: Give us a helpful link, one you use often, or that comes in handy in a pinch, or is just something we should all look at. I give you KNOPPIX.net.

A Confession

I have a bag I found in my car that belongs to someone else. I think it belongs to someone who cries like a little girl when I drive in a manly manner.

Also, this is my 499th post. We should have a big celebration for the next post, or something.

Friends, new and old.

Gideon, upon learning that he has a new friend to meet:



(Actually, Gideon does that when you say "Bloogitty Beepee Boo!" or whatever).

I, myself, that is, one of the worst friends on record, is attempting the friendly act of helping to carry heavy things a great distance today. Hopefully this will help me get back on the right track. I still have old friends, one in particular, that I really really need to catch up with. I'm off to finish my coffee, hop in the car and haul some stuff... for a friend.

Proclamation

I hereby proclaim and declare that all pre-born infants that have reached full-term gestational maturity, now living within the South Central Pennsylvania region, are hereby emancipated from the bonds of the womb and are free to egress from said maternal chamber.

Come forth and taste your freedom!!!