What a long weekend

It seems like forever since i last updated this blog, but in reality it's only been what... 3 days?  Let's see, we had friends over until 1:30 AM, we've had two soccer games, a basketball game, Awana's (that i did not go to), i've changed jobs (well, not really, just employeers), started another blog entry that i will work on from time to time until i am happy with it, began using a CPAP machine last night, and to put the cherry on top, my beloved will be leaving for an Autism related conference tonight.  Life remains in a constant state of change, and intellectually i know that God is in charge and all things will ultimately be fine ~ and yet i still struggle with change.  I am constantly preaching to myself about God's sovereignty and to not allow my flesh to dictate how it reacts, and yet during these times of more upheavel than usual i have a very hard time sleeping, etc. Why is that?

Another thing that set me off kilter this weekend was a comment left by another well meaning person who has had issues with Sovereign Grace Ministries.  They felt that i needed to see the "other side".  In the end i just deleted their comment.  I have never seen the things they are referring to, nor have i known anyone who experienced such things.  Therefor i am unable to speak to such things.  I also find myself disagreeing with their theology.  So, in the end i feel that i do not need to know, nor do i wish to affiliate myself with, them.  I acknowledge that bad things can happen no matter what church you attend.  And while abuses need to be reported, differences of theology sould not be escalate to the point of causing open hostility. I am not a good debator, nor do i wish for this blog to become a forum for such debates.  I do not mind brief discussions, but this is not a place for debate.  As for me, i very much appreciate, approve of, support, and encourage others to attend Sovereign Grace Churches, and listen to messages by CJ Mahaney and the Pastors who seek to proclaim the gospel through Sovereign Grace Ministries.  God did not make us all Baptists, or Methodists, or Catholics.  But He has made me a Reformed/Charismatic/Calvinist/Non-Denominational/Fundamentalist Christian.  Opinions are like armpits, only yours stinks worse than mine. ;-)  I am aware that there will be a great many things that i hold as true in my mind that will not stand before the ultimate Judge of the universe.  My trust does not begin, or even end, with what i hold to be true.  It is firmly held by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who came to the world in the form of a human child, who lived a sinless life, and then willingly went to the cross in order to be a propitiation for sins on my behalf.  He died there on the cross, was buried, and on the third day rose again.  He has since ascended to Heaven where He intercedes for me yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  He is God and i am not.  He is the perfectly Holy and righteous judge, and without Christ there is nothing within me that has not been tainted by sin.  No matter how "correct" my own views and opinions are.  Although i am fully justified before the Throne of God, i am being remade daily as i walk out my ongoing sanctification and being transformed more and more into the image of Jesus.  It pains me to hear that others are not being as blessed as i have been through Sovereign Grace Ministries, but that is true of anyone who attends any church.  Because man is involed, so will sin.  I pray that all those who are not in a church where they are being blessed and growing in Christ would find a church where this can happen.  The name on the door is not relavent.  What is relavent is that the gospel be proclaimed, that Christ is glorified, and that His people are growing in Christ.

Miscellaneous Ramblings to pass the time

The past two days have been pretty much a blur.  I had a song picked out for yesterday's Music Monday post, but i never had a moment to actually get it entered in.  If i'm smart i will save it and get a head start for next week.  So, instead i will just move along...

Not long ago (i may have mentioned) i finally took my beloved's advice and went and had a sleep study done.  For the most part the results were predictable and i have been prescribed a CPAP machine.  It's been... interesting trying to make sure i get all of the insurance company's requirements taken care of, but i felt a LOT better the morning after the second test.  There was "anomaly" that concerned both the technicians monitoring me over night, and the doctor who reviewed the readings later.  Well, the good news is that those "anomalies" did not occur with the CPAP during the second test.  Yea!  This "anomaly" is a resurgence of a childhood issue, and has me sort of concerned.  By God's grace though, it appears to be nothing more than a blip on the radar.

I know there used to be a few rabid book readers who would frequent this blog, but i am not sure if they still do or not.  Be that as it may... i have noticed that my pile of partially finished books keeps growing.  Right now i am about 1/3 of the way through Stonewall Jackson: The Man. The Soldier, The Legend; a little over half way through The Last Patriot; I've just begun Proclaiming a Cross-centered Theology; been re-reading and about a third of the way through A Book of Five Rings; and barely even scratched Humility: True Greatness.  I love reading, but i really just need to knuckle down and finish at least one of them!   The good part of all this reading though, it has inspired sort of a writing spurt.

I don't remember how i found it, but i have found a new blog (called *Cute n Cool Blog Stuff*) site to help me learn how to customize my blog here.  She even, apparently, is willing to be hired to do some as well.  I don't have a lot of tools (like Photo or Paint Shop Pro), but i am looking forward (i hope) to trying to get some things done to spruce up the Ol' Dojo.

Yesterday i shared a link on Facebook titled, "Christian Faith: Calvinism is Back".  I thought it was a very interesting read, and it encouraged me personally.  In my opinion America needs a does of realizing exactly how depraved, how offensive, and just what it cost Christ to come to atone for sin on our behalf.

I had to cut today's entry "short" because i kept coming up with random things to blog about, and i was running out of time faster than i could keep up with my own train of thought!  *sigh* Such are the trials and tribulation of having ADD... even though i have found it quite beneficial in my day to day career. Well, i have "saved" them for another day... i am finally queuing up thoughts again!

Getting lost in rambling thoughts

John Calvin is 500 today! I am not sure where those who read these rambling disjointed thoughts on occasion come from (both physically and spiritually), but i have been made aware that today is Mr. John Calvin's 500th birthday today. To celebrate Ligonier Ministries is offering a book titled Living for God's Glory for a donation of any size (today 20090710 only i'm afraid). So, Happy Birthday Mr. Calvin! While the family and i were at Hershey Park this past Tuesday i learned two things. 1) I don't seem to be able to ride the roller coasters like i used to! 8/ and 2) Creed has gotten back together for at least one tour and album. I think i had heard that before but i saw a banner advertising their concert in Hershey on 9-August. While my beloved and i are not concert goers, we both liked them and their previous work. I have read on-line that there are concerns about the band whether they are Christians or not. While the band is not a "Christian" group, it has Christians in it, and the themes of their songs are akin to the typical struggles people have with their faith and beliefs. I would not listen to them if i were trying to worship God, but i enjoy their music while working out or cutting the lawn ~ so i will most likely pick up their new album when it comes out later this Fall. My church search is progressing. The first church we visited was recommended by co-worker who recently came to Christ. I have enjoyed his enthusiasm and seeing what God has been doing in his life recently. But as we attended i just did not get the "this is home" feeling. DS2 struggled in "Kids Church", and DS1 was less than enthusiastic. We did not do the "one and done", but tried it for a couple of weeks. Last week a friend from our care group suggested the church she and her family goes to (our care group has 'representation from four local churches ~ friends from college who all live in the area and their families). The message was from their new pastor and was enthusiastically given. While it was a good message there was something underlying that did not allow me to just settle in. Some further research into the church's doctrine and affiliation has led me to believe that, although we may visit for a while, we will not become members of the church ~ although we may attend for a while. Two nights ago while we were at the dinner table DS2 brought up a point made in the sermon. I do like that. But the reason for this rambling paragraph has more to do with a call "out of the blue" i received last night. A friend from Facebook (i say from Facebook because when he lived closer i did not get to know him all that well, but our wives know each other better) was telling me of a man who may have recently started up a church in our area. He didn't want to be presumptuous and try and influence either myself or the Pastor of this church, but felt led to share it with me. God works in mysterious ways and i thought, "why not" and have attempted to contact this Pastor. We shall see how God unfolds this interesting 'development'. In any event though, i am crafting up an e-mail to send to a few former Pastors of the church i was saved in to ask them to consider a church plant closer to where i live. Thank you all for your continued prayers. 8) Oh, and speaking of churches and pastors... Gunny, i am hoping to get out your way sometime next summer to play some Battletech... the classic version of course. I am still hoping to drop you a line sometime soon. Thank you again brother.