Cheers in Christmas Mirrors

Origen was a Church Father from ancient Egypt who lived, preached, and suffererd in the cause of Christ. He gets a bad rap for outlandish interpretations of Scripture but deserves to be studied. In any case, what he says here is worth checking out:

He who made all things in wisdom so created all the species of visible things upon earth, that He placed in them some teaching and knowledge of things invisible and heavenly, whereby the human mind might mount to spiritual understanding and seek the grounds of things in heaven.

In other words, as we enjoy the fellowship and laughter, food and drink, giving and gifts, and even, perhaps, the sadness of Christmas, let us go forth armed with a biblical mindset which looks for the brushstrokes and listens for the sweet notes of the Maker in all things. As we enjoy these good things, let us enjoy our God in and through them. Then it will be a Merry Christmas indeed!

Onward, Christian Soldiers

“Fight,” “wage warfare,” and “put to death” are phrases in the Christian vocabulary. We are called to “take up the whole armor of God” and to wield “weapons of righteousness.” Interestingly, these warlike phrases are not about fighting other people or “the culture” or even false religions. They speak mainly of waging war against our own sin and unbelief (1 Tim 6:12, 1:18; Col 3:5; Rom 8:13; Eph 6:11; 2 Cor 6:7).

Want to become a Christian soldier, marching as to war? Take up the sword of the Spirit and slay thine own lusts, take captive thine own twisted thoughts, rule over thine own spirit! For “he who rules his spirit [is better] than he who takes a city” (Prov 16:32). Strike down thine own unbelief with the mighty gospel promises of God. There isn’t much renown in true spiritual warfare in this life, but that’s not what this battle is about.

Let’s stick to our orders, soldiers.

Putting the Bet in Better

Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

-Proverbs 27:10

The blessings in our lives are better than the ones not in them. The friend who is close is better than the brother who is distant. Proximity is part of the formula that makes something good for us.

Bet. So let’s rejoice in our friends, our spouse, our fellow church members, in our every blessing that is in our lives. Let’s turn to them for help and support rather than wishing upon a star. For us, they are the very best.

Obligatory Thanksgiving Post

Kidding! We are, however, under obligation to give thanks at all times.

Rebellion against the Maker begins with a refusal to give thanks to him for his many good gifts (Romans 1:21). Adam and Eve were not happy with the fullness of the Garden of Eden. They just had to have more. We are the same way.

Next time we find ourselves fixated on something we want, let us redirect our hearts and minds to thank our generous Creator for all the amazing blessings we do have.

Talk Is Dirt Cheap

Talk really is cheap. Check the Proverb:

Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.

-Proverbs 26:23

Fair-sounding words are like thin, shiny, silver coating that makes an object look valuable. But it is of little worth, for underneath is nothing but dirt. Those of us who are good at speaking need to be careful, and even those of us who are not must take heed. Let us weight our silver words with the pure gold of a good and honest heart. And while we’re at it, check out this gem on the subject from my man who goes by the name of Jeremiah…Dirt.

Does It Pour When It Rains?

Yeah, pretty much. We all go through times when worse follows bad. But this need not continue forever. Those who trust in Jesus fall and get back up again and again. But check out the last bit of the verse:

But the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

-Proverbs 24:17

While the righteous can weather storms, the wicked stumble and fall when things go bad. Their end will be like this too, for suddenly they will be plunged into death and eternal despair in a time of trouble. Sin can make life seem fun and easy, but the bill comes due, and swiftly!

I’ve Fallen and I Can Get Up

The righteous falls seven times and rises again.

-Proverbs 24:16

What makes a Christian is not sinlessness and success in all we do. It is that when we fall, we rise again. This is the story of the believer: we stumble and fall at many times and in many ways, but God is not done with us. So we get back up and press forward. It is our destiny to rely on the helping power of Christ to raise us up again and again. And when we finally fall in death, even then we will rise again, like he did.

A Better Tomorrow

Fear of the future haunts us. Interestingly, a lot of this worry may come from comparing ourselves to others. But check it out:

Let not your heart envy sinners,

but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.

Surely there is a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

-Proverbs 23:17-18

The future is bright for those who fear God. Don’t worry about those around you. The ungodly will prosper in this life—it’s all they got. But you, lean on God’s promises and follow his commandments, and you can rest easy knowing that your Future is secure and unbelievably happy.

Scripture vs Science?

First of all, science means knowledge. There are plenty of knowledges beyond that of the material universe—like the laws of logic, or the laws of love.

Second of all, check out this quote from Saint Augustine:

We do not read in the Gospel that the Lord said: “I will send to you a Paraclete who will teach you about the course of the sun and the moon!” For he wanted to make Christians, not mathematicians.

Heat. The Scriptures and the sciences serve different purposes.

We do not expect God’s written word to teach us how to add, subtract, read, write, run, swim, chart the stars, or crack jokes. The book of nature offers courses of study in all these fields and more. We expect one thing of the Bible, that which is the greatest knowledge of all: how to walk with God.

For Whom the Breeze Blows

Out of the four seasons, some crown autumn queen. She is breathtaking. Hers is a time of bounty and of reflection. She also casts a bittersweet spell upon us, for she is the dying season, full of memory.

You and I, what are we? We are leaves hanging upon the branch of this world, waiting for the autumn breeze to send us off into eternity. Perhaps you are still fresh and green, but even your time will come. Spring will turn to summer, and summertime shall pass before the cool air of fall.

Can you hear it? The wind blows for me. The wind blows for you. Let us be ready for our journey.