Pope in Truth

With the election of a new Bishop in Rome yesterday we certainly have some idea what the leaders of the Roman Church are thinking. While Postmodernism and relativism are the in philosophies of our day; Ratzinger (the new Bishop in Rome) in contrast seems to value truth, and doesn't appear to be ashamed to say as much. Here is a sample of his thoughts- "To have a clear faith, according to the creed of the Church, is often labeled as fundamentalism. While relativism, that is, allowing oneself to be carried about with every wind of "doctrine," seems to be the only attitude that is fashionable. A dictatorship of relativism is being constituted that recognizes nothing as absolute and which only leaves the "I" and its whims as the ultimate measure. We have another measure: the Son of God, true man. He is the measure of true humanism. "Adult" is not a faith that follows the waves in fashion and the latest novelty. Adult and mature is a faith profoundly rooted in friendship with Christ. This friendship opens us to all that is good and gives us the measure to discern between what is true and what is false, between deceit and truth." (1.) (2.)

Extemporaneous Prayer in Worship?

"Some affect to think that the spiritual nature of the excercise (prayer) ought to preclude preparation; that because it is the Holy Ghost which teaches us to pray, we should not attempt it ourselves. This argument is a remnant of fanatical enthusiasm. Should we also not preach in the Spirit? Why, then, do we not extend the same sophisms to inhibit the preparation of a sermon? The answer is, that the Holy Spirit does not suspend the excercise of our own faculties. He works through them as His instruments, and in strict conformity to their rational nature. He assists and elevates them. He helps us also in prompting us to help ourselves."

- R. L. Dabney, Evangelical Eloquence. p.346 (Sacred Rhetoric)

EPHRAIM REPENTING

EPHRAIM REPENTING Jer. xxxi. 18-20

My God, till I received Thy stroke,
How like a beast was I!
So unaccustom'd to the yoke,
So backward to comply.

With grief my just reproach I bear,
Shame fills me at the thought;
How frequent my rebellions were,
What wickedness I wrought.

Thy merciful restraint I scorn'd,
And left the pleasant road;
Yet turn me, and I shall be turn'd;
Thou art the Lord my God.

"Is Ephraim banish'd from my thoughts,
Or vile in my esteem?
No," saith the Lord, "with all his faults,
I still remember him.

"Is he a dear and pleasant child?
Yes, dear and pleasant still;
Though sin his foolish heart beguiled,
And he withstood my will.

My sharp rebuke has laid him low,
He seeks my face again;
My pity kindles at his woe,
He shall not seek in vain.

--William Cowper, 1731-1800

WALKING WITH GOD

I. WALKING WITH GOD. Gen. v. 24.

Oh! for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavely frame;
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew
When I first saw the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
Of Jesus and His word?

What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void,
The world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return!
Sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made thee mourn
and drove thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

-William Cowper, 1731-1800

Old Testament Gospel

XX. Old Testament Gospel.
Heb. iv.2

Israel in ancient days
Not only had a view
Of Sinai in a blaze,
But learn'd the Gospel too;
The types and figures were a glass,
In which they saw a Saviour's face.

The paschal sacrifice
And blood-besprinkled door,*
Seen with enlighten'd eyes,
And once applied with power,
Would teach the need of other blood,
To reconcile an angry God.

The Lamb, the Dove, set forth
His perfect innocence,**
Whose blood of matchless worth
Should be the soul's defence;
For he who can for sin atone,
Must have no failings of His own.

The scape-goat on his head***
The people's trespass bore,
And to the desert led,
Was to be seen no more:
In him our surety seem'd to say,
"Behold, I bear your sins away."

Dipt in his fellow's blood,
The living bird went free;****
The type, well understood,
Express'd the sinner's plea;
Described a guilty soul enlarged,
And by a Saviour's death discharged.

Jesus, I love to trace,
Throughout the sacred page,
The footsteps of Thy grace,
The same in every age!
Oh, grant that I may faithful be
To clearer light vouchsafed to me!

-William Cowper


*Exod. xii. 13.**Lev. xii. 6.***Lev. xvi. 21.****Lev. xiv. 51. 53.

Joel's Junk

A couple of years ago a ran across a smiling preacher on TV named Joel Osteen. After spending some time listening to him I became very concerned. I did some research online and found out he is a college drop-out with no seminary training, and that he took over his fathers Church; and that his father was quite close to Oral Roberts... red flags... red flags.... Since that time I have watched him on TV on many occasions. Osteen never mentions sin, and his entire message is man-centered, not God-centered. Anyway, it finally appears that some Christians are speaking out against this false teacher (a partial gospel is no gospel at all). Here is an article in the current issue of the Charlotte World.

Pope puts it plainly, homosexual marriage is evil

"Homosexual marriages are part of "a new ideology of evil" that is insidiously threatening society, Pope John Paul says"

Lost tribe lost to lost souls

A book by Simon Southerton, a former Mormon Bishop, once again points out a tenet of Mormon "revelation"to be untrue. His testimony is interesting but will it have an impact on Mormonism? Not likely IMHO, you could show movie footage of Joseph Smith which discredits his claims and Mormons would press on in spite of the truth.