They’re So Real!

Have you ever heard someone say of a church, “The people there are so real”?

What does the person really mean by this statement?  What is the underlying statement being made by the person that makes this remark?  Do they mean that the people are genuine, kind, accepting, non-judgmental, non-religious, uncomplicated, etc…?  Or do they mean that there is no requirement to assimilate with that group?  Do they mean that the group doesn’t use big, unfamiliar words that they will have to learn?  Do they mean that the “initiation” into this particular church/group doesn’t come with any type of rites or vows?  Does it mean that I can just “fly by the seat of my pants” and I will get along fine?  Does it mean that there is no requirement to submit to the authority of the church/group?  Does it mean that everything has been dumbed down to the level of a 2nd Grader and little to no work, on my part, will be required to get up to speed?

What do they “really” mean when they say, “The people there are so real”?

I think I know the answer in most cases.

Taking The Week Off

I’m taking this week off from blogging.  I’ll start posting again next week.

Cage Match! Cage Match! Trinity Hymnal vs. P&W Round 35

ding, ding, ding… Round 35

Sovereign Lord - By Tom Fettke (1991) - All the Best Songs of Praise & Worship

Sov’reign Lord, Sov’reign Lord, we exalt Your holy name, Sov’reign Lord.  Creator, Redeemer, the King of kings adored.  Praise Your name, praise Your holy name, Sav’reign Lord.

Copyright 1991 by Pilot Point Music (ASCAP).  All rights reserved.  Administered by The Copyright Company, 40 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203

My God, How Wonderful Thou Art - By Frederick W. Faber ( 1848 ) - Trinity Hymnal

1: My God, how wonderful Thou art, Thy majesty how bright!  How beautiful Thy mercy seat, in depths of burning light!

2: Wondrous are Thine eternal years, O Everlasting Lord, by holy angels day and night unceasingly adored!

3: O how I fear Thee, Living God, with deepest, tend’rest fears, and worship Thee with trembling hope, and penitential tears.

4: Yet I may love Thee too, O Lord, almighty as Thou art; for Thou hast stooped to ask of me the love of my poor heart.

5: No earthly father loves like Thee, no mother half so mild bears and forbears, as Thou hast done with me, Thy sinful child.

6: How wonderful, how beautiful, the sight of Thee will be, Thine endless wisdom, boundless pow’r, and awesome purity!

Copyright 1990, Great Commission Publications, Inc. 3640 Windsor Park Drive, Suite 100, Suwanee, GA 30024

Westminster Larger Catechism - Q55

Q. 55. How doth Christ make intercession?
A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth, declaring his will to have it applied to all believers; answering all accusations against them, and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness to the throne of grace, and acceptance of their persons and services.

Cage Match! Cage Match! Trinity Hymnal vs. P&W Round 34

ding, ding, ding… Round 34

The Steadfast Love - By Edith McNeill (1974) - All the Best Songs of Praise & Worship

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.  His mercies never come to an end.  They are new ev’ry morning, new ev’ry morning.  Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord.  Great is Thy faithfulness.

Copyright 1974 Celebration (admin. by The Copyright Company, Nashville, TN).  All rights reservied.  International copyright secured.

The God of Abraham Praise - By Thomas Olivers (1770) - Trinity Hymnal

1: The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above, Anceint of everlasting days and God of love.  Jehovah!  Great I AM! by earth and heav’n confessed; I bow and bless the sacred name, for ever blest.

2: The God of Abraham praise, at whose supreme command from earth I rise, and seek the joys at His right hand.  I all on earth forsake, its wisdom, fame, and pow’r, and Him my only portion make, my shield and tow’r.

3: He by Himself hath sworn, I on His oath depend; I shall, on eagles’ wings upborne, to heavn’ ascend.  I shall behold His face, I shall His pow’r adore, and sing the wonders of His grace forevermore.

4: The goodly land I see, with peace and plenty blest, a land of sacred liberty and endless rest.  There milk and honey flow, and oil and wine abound, and trees of life forever grow, with mercy crowned.

5: There dwells the Lord our King, the Lord our Righteousness, triumphant o’er the world and sin, the Prince of Peace.  On Zion’s sacred height His kingdom He maintains, and glorious wth His saints in light forever reigns.

6: The whole triumphant host gives thanks to God on high; “Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!” they ever cry.  Hail, Abraham’s God and mine!  I join the heav’nly lays; all might and majesty are Thine, and endless praise.

Copyright 1990, Great Commission Publications, Inc. 3640 Windsor Park Drive, Suite 100, Suwanee, GA 30024

Men’s Monthly Gathering

I was approximately two paragraphs into this post about how well the men’s gathering went last night, when I realized that the longer I wrote the “gayer” it sounded.  So I’m going to make this short and to the point.

The guys that made it to my house last night seemed to have a good time and I hope everyone will come back again next month.  I’m looking forward to it.

The next gathering will be on Friday 6-27-08 at 7:00 p.m.

Westminster Larger Catechism - Q54

Q. 54. How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God?
A. Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favor with God the Father, with all fullness of joy, glory, and power over all things in heaven and earth; and doth gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces, and maketh intercession for them.

Ask What You Will, O Christian

“Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
     Psalm 51:2

If the Lord would say to a gracious Christian: “Ask what
you will, O Christian–and it shall be granted to you.”
The answer would be: “Lord, rid me of my sins! Lord, take
away my iniquities! Lord, mortify my corruptions! Lord,
whoever lives–let these lusts die! Lord, drown these
Egyptians in the red sea of your Son’s blood, who have
so violently and unweariedly pursued after the blood of
my precious soul! Lord, kill and crucify all these sinful evils
which have killed and crucified the Lord of life and glory!
Lord, my carnal reason, and flesh and blood, would gladly
have such and such pleasurable sins, and such and such
profitable sins, indulged and spared. But, Lord, the earnest,
the ardent desires of my soul, are that I may be rid of them!”

And thus, every gracious soul is more willing to be rid of
his sins–than he is to keep his sins.

A sick man is not more willing to be rid of his disease,
nor a beggar of his nasty lousy rags, nor a prisoner
of his chains–than a gracious soul is willing to be rid
of his lusts!

“Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.”
    Psalm 51:9

Thomas Brooks (1608 - 1680) - A Cabinet of Choice Jewels (1669)

Men’s Monthly Gathering

The monthly men’s gathering, at my house, will start tonight (Friday - May 30, 2008 ) at 7:00 p.m. and will end when the last man leaves.  It’s BYOB & C (Bring your own beer and cigars).  I will have some Fat Tire on hand, but if that’s not your drink of choice I won’t be of much help to you.  Feel free to bring friends along to the get-together as well.  I have some patio chairs and lawn chairs (approximately 8), but to ensure you have a seat you might want to bring a lawn chair for yourself.  I am looking forward to getting together with you guys.  There is no agenda here, so we can talk about theology, what you did at work that week, or whatever you would like.  I just see this as a time to meet together and enjoy good company.  See you soon.

If you would please, let me know if you plan on coming.  Tamara will probably feel the need to make some sort of snack and she won’t give me rest unless I can give her an idea of how many will be here.  Thanks.

Cage Match! Cage Match! Trinity Hymnal vs. P&W Round 33

ding, ding, ding… Round 33

Lord, Be Glorified - By Bob Kilpatrick ( 1978 ) - All the Best Songs of Praise & Worship

1: In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.  In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

2: In my song, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.  In my song, Lord, be glorified today.

3: In Your Church, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.  In Your Church, Lord, be glorified today.

Copyright 1978 Bob Kilpatrick Music.  Assigned 1998 to The Lorenz Corporation.  All rights reserved.  International copyright secured.

Let Us with a Gladsome Mind - By John Milton (1624) - Trinity Hymnal

1: Let us with a gladsome mine praise the Lord, for He is kind:

Refrain: for His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.

2: Let us sound His name abroad, for of gods He is the God:

Refrain: for His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.

3: He with all-commanding might filled the new-made world with light:

Refrain: for His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.

4: All things living He does feed; His full hand supplies their need:

Refrain: for His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.

5: He His chosen race did bless in the wasteful wilderness:

Refrain: for His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.

6: He has with piteous eye looked upon our misery:

Refrain: for His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.

7: Let us then with gladsome mind praise the Lord for He is kind:

Refrain: for His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.

Copyright 1990, Great Commission Publications, Inc. 3640 Windsor Park Drive, Suite 100, Suwanee, GA 30024