tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635992894449487932024-03-19T10:40:06.184-07:00PD's deskDoug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-8759643928186906162017-10-14T11:57:00.000-07:002017-10-14T11:57:13.373-07:00The Hand of God - the Face of God
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Long ago I heard
someone say that we should fix our eyes on God’s face, not God hand. I’ve never
forgotten that statement. Let me explain what that means. When life is chaos
and pain and waiting to see if a fire might consume everything we own, we don’t
look at our circumstances and say, “God must not love me to treat me like this.”
That’s looking at God’s hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead, faith looks
at the face of God – His unchanging character. James said He is “the Father of
lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” He is always
who He is, and He is always <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for</i> us
because He sees us in His Son. Every day in every circumstance God is smiling
on His children. He is working all things together for good in their lives,
conforming them into the image of His Son, whether it’s through miracles and
deliverance, or through pain and suffering. His countenance never changes
toward His own. This is God’s face toward His children—<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">T</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">he Lord your God is
in your midst, <o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A mighty One who will
save; <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He will rejoice over
you with gladness; <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He will quiet you by
his love; <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He will exult over you
with loud singing. <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Zephaniah 3:17<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will never
understand God’s hand in our lives. The outworking of His providence is way
beyond us. But keep looking at His face. And “when darkness veils His lovely
face,” then “rest on His unchanging grace.” And keep singing, “Great is Thy
faithfulness, Lord unto me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-8363932529738154052017-06-15T14:51:00.000-07:002017-06-15T14:51:11.411-07:00Babette’s Feast and the Grace of God
<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I don’t
watch too many movies. I’m just too antsy to sit that long. And my kids have
always teased me that when I do, the movie always ends up as an illustration in
my next sermon. That happened a few years ago when I watched a Danish film </span>called
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Babette’s Feast.</i> It was one of the
most touching portraits of God’s grace that I’ve ever seen. I want to give you
a summary. And even though you will know how it ends, you should still see it—<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
It’s a story about a small group of Christians who lived in a small, bleak
village on an island off the coast of Denmark in the late 1800’s. They had been
founded by a very strict, Puritanical pastor who had since died, but they kept
his memory alive in their traditions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their idea of godliness was to live simple, meager lives
with limited pleasure. One day, a French woman named Babette showed up at the
door of the pastor’s two spinster daughters. She had lost all of her family in
the Napoleonic wars in <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> and she wanted
to know if she could work for these ladies as their maid and cook. They said
they were sorry but they had no money with which to pay a servant. Babette said
she would gladly work for them in return for room and board. So Babette stayed
with these ladies for 14 years, served them faithfully, and cooked the few
plain dishes that they would eat, including smoked cod and beer soup. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During this time, the little group continued to shrink as members died, and it
became more and more ingrown and legalistic. Babette watched them bicker and
backstab--but they still kept their traditions. One day she got a message from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>. A
relative of hers had bought her a lottery ticket and she had won 10,000
francs--she was rich! The two sisters she had lived with were very happy for
her, but they were sad because they assumed she would be going back to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Babette said that she had never asked the sisters for
anything, but now she had a request. The 100<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th </span></sup></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">anniversary of their pastor’s birthday was coming up, and
would they allow her to make a French feast for their celebration dinner? The
sisters asked the group, and they agreed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Babette sent a list to Paris of all the supplies she would need, and a few
weeks later, a boat arrived with crates of dishes, glasses, linens, and strange
exotic foods, fruits, vegetables, wines, champagne, and even live quail!. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the sisters saw what she was doing, they were horrified! They called the
group together and said that it looked like a banquet for Satan himself was in
the making. They agreed that the loving thing to do was to allow Babette to
prepare the feast, but they would not say a word about any of the food or
drink. They would eat it, but they would make sure not to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">enjoy</i> it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The evening finally came, and a special guest arrived, a decorated general who
years earlier had sought the hand of one of the two sisters--but was turned
down. They all sat down—all 20 of them—to a table set with the finest china,
crystal, and linens, and Babette began to bring out course after course after
course of the most exquisite food you could imagine. The people ate it without
any expression or emotion, while the general was exclaiming as each dish was
brought out. What was wrong with these people? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, they began to sample the champagne—they thought it
was lemonade—and they began to loosen up and enjoy the meal. The general finally
stood up and said, “My friends, I don’t think you appreciate what has been set
before us! I have only eaten one other meal like this in all my life, and it
was at the Grand Hotel in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city></st1:place>.
Surely the meal that we have just eaten must have been prepared by the same
Master Chef of the Grand Hotel! What a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gift</i>
you have been given!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And of course, it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had</i>
been prepared by the former Master Chef of the Grand Hotel in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city></st1:place>—Babette.<br />
<br />
Her identity didn’t seem to sink in, but that one meal transformed the group.
It was the first time they had allowed themselves to experience any joy in
years. They began to reconcile with each other, they went out into the street
and began to sing their old hymns at the top of the voices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day, the two sisters went to tell Babette how very much they had
enjoyed the feast, and they wanted her to know how sad they were that she would
be returning to Paris. She said, “Oh, but I’m not returning to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city></st1:place>.” They said, “But
why not?” She said, “I have no money!” They said, “But how could that be, you
won 10,000 francs!” She said, “A meal for twenty guests at the Grand Hotel in
Paris, like the one I prepared for you, would cost <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">10,000 francs!”</i> She had spent it all on her friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has given us <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His</i> all that we
might share in His Feast. So enjoy! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">that whoever believes in Him should not perish <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">but have eternal life.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-79058285394926357722017-05-27T15:54:00.000-07:002017-05-27T15:54:04.384-07:00MBC Picnic! Saturday, June 10th<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "adam.cg pro"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">MBC Family
Picnic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Come and
join us for a relaxing and fun evening under the pavilion! It’s a luau theme,
so wear your Hawaiian duds (think Don Ho, or Don Owens!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">When</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">: June 10<sup>th</sup>, Saturday<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What time:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>5pm to 7 pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What to bring:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Church will provide hamburger patties and hot dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sign-up at church for a side dish, buns or
hamburger toppings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Middletown
Christian School Boosters will be selling desserts for a fund raiser at the
picnic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Program:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will have games and face painting for all
as well as some music.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We have men
to cook, but we could use two ice chests with ice, a set-up and clean-up crew
and a canopy or 2 for shade.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Call Janice, Jennifer or Donna with
questions or to sign-up!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjjocXO9pDUAhUK8GMKHWIEClQQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hawaii-luaus.com%2Fvisitor-luaus%2Fmaui-luaus%2F&psig=AFQjCNFGzEUvT_2TLmfsfGZctYR16BLXAA&ust=1496003744429661" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-62620923835819909302017-05-03T09:41:00.000-07:002017-05-03T09:41:08.558-07:00"And you - but God"This day, fight to remember the gospel. <br />
<br />
The devil will be ruthless to bring every sin to mind, but preach the gospel to your own heart: <em>"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures."</em> If doubts arise and dark feelings seem ready to engulf you, claim the words of Paul: <em>"God made [you] alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses."</em> You are not the same person you once were. You are a new creation. You are <em>in Christ.</em><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was blinded by my sin, <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">had no ears to hear Your voice;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">did not know Your love within, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">had no taste for heaven’s joys.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then Your Spirit gave me life, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">opened up Your Word to me;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">through the gospel of Your Son, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>gave me endless hope and peace.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-31299154299739955792017-04-15T16:35:00.000-07:002017-04-15T16:35:35.994-07:00The tomb was empty.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went
to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone
rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of
the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by
them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to
the ground, the men said to them, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Why do you seek the living among the dead? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">He
is not here, but has risen.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Luke 24:1–6</span> <o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-44210414688680541012017-04-14T09:14:00.002-07:002017-04-14T09:14:53.836-07:00On Good Friday: Jesus, My Substitute
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Was all for sinners’ gain;<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mine, mine was the transgression, <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But Thine, the deadly pain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lo, here I fall, my Savior! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘Tis I deserve Thy place;<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Look on me with Thy favor, <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Vouchsafe to me Thy grace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bearing shame and scoffing rude, <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In my place condemned He stood;<br />
Sealed my pardon with His blood—<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hallelujah! What a Savior!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Guilty, vile, and helpless we; <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Spotless Lamb of God was He;<br />
“Full atonement!” can it be? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hallelujah! What a Savior!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lifted up was He to die; <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“It is finished!” was His cry;<br />
Now in heav’n exalted high. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hallelujah! What a Savior!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No condemnation now I dread; <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;<br />
Alive in Him, my living Head, <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And clothed in righteousness divine,<br />
Bold I approach th’eternal throne, <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And claim the crown, <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Through Christ my own—<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amazing love! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How can it be?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>That Thou, my God, Shouldst die for me?<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></span><br />
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-71565672395453803492017-04-06T14:27:00.000-07:002017-04-06T14:27:19.993-07:00On the death of little Molly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuStHAov81iKICssp346P6BI4ZS1kMUB3mKYU1E45sT8gV-C-0xCTFe2F3jo5PQir2YfwIEggpFVGcAZNGBVXZBqXXWXJV-vaAfQpEwRliDTRI-TSepD7T8USJaF1leL3X8kCaO2xhXo/s1600/Molly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuStHAov81iKICssp346P6BI4ZS1kMUB3mKYU1E45sT8gV-C-0xCTFe2F3jo5PQir2YfwIEggpFVGcAZNGBVXZBqXXWXJV-vaAfQpEwRliDTRI-TSepD7T8USJaF1leL3X8kCaO2xhXo/s320/Molly.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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Dear flock,</div>
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The picture above is of little Molly, a precious little one year old, the day before she drowned in a pool. Her mother Charissa was part of the youth group at Grace Bible Church years ago when my own kids were teens. They all hung out together, went to student conferences together, and had youth parties at our home. At the time, none of them ever dreamed that such unspeakable tragedy could ever enter their lives. Charissa and her husband Jordan are solid Christ-followers, as well as their families. Grandma Cathy wrote the piece below. Read it and weep with those who weep, and pray.</div>
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--Pastor Doug</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Crucible of Pain and Suffering<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before the loss of Molly, I had been undergoing a mini trial
(because everything seems mini after this), and a couple times I'd prayed, "Lord,
change me!" I was almost afraid to pray that way because of what it might
yield.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then Molly happened. And the grief and anguish of soul
served to undo us. But God has been here. Jesus has cried with us. And we are
all changing. In small ways He has opened our eyes to problem areas in our
lives. My precious Gene, who prefers to live a quiet and private existence,
wrote a letter to all the staff where he teaches. He talked about Molly, but he
shared our hope in Jesus. He would have preferred to remain under the radar,
but he felt compelled to be public with his heartbreak, and invite the staff to
the service. One teacher wrote that they would be there. Others, who don't know
Jesus, wrote that Gene's faith would help him. A door of witness has opened
because Molly's death has allowed opportunities to share Jesus. Her little life
is a beacon of hope and light. How we miss her! But we are praying many will be
brought to Jesus because of what has happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our church has been changed. Trials have that effect. Our
local church body is growing stronger in prayer and encouragement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have heard of some who've not yet been drawn to Jesus
make reference to the faith we have in God. Our faith is a gift from our
glorious God, outside of ourselves. We can't muster it up on our own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We've been privileged to share Jesus with those who were by
our side on the day of Molly's home going. Several in our family (and close
friends) baked lots of sweet treats, and, yesterday, took them to the staff at
the hospital where Molly was treated, and to the police dept who responded. The
treats were accompanied by thank you notes with the message of the Gospel, and
an invite to the service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We keep going back to the well where unlimited grace and
mercy can be had. And we are finding help--so much more than we knew
possible--is there. And we are forever changed. It's not the script I would
have written, but I'm not in charge. A life of mediocrity will not do. Part of
me is afraid of what might happen next, but I continue to be bolstered by
Jordan and Charissa. And I think of verses that pop in my head about what Jesus
did for us, and how our suffering is but a microcosm of what He endured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lastly, we have the hope that He'll lead us safely home. And
that makes this present life more doable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What follows is an excerpt from my darling husband's letter
to the staff. I hope you find encouragement from what he's written.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"Our family has been devastated by this loss, and yet without
despair. We’ve been comforted by the overwhelming love of extended family,
church community, and others, many in far-flung places, who have surrounded us
with their presence, tangible kindnesses, and prayers. We rest on the promises
of God, and the words that will be etched on Molly’s grave marker, 'I am the
resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and
everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die (John 11:25-26).' We long
to see her again."</span></div>
<br />Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-28657224933023675352017-03-30T13:20:00.000-07:002017-03-30T13:20:39.595-07:00The day PD rebuked R.C.For those of you who were in our Sunday School class last Lord's Day, you might have been a bit startled when I, your gentle Pastor, blurted out right in the middle of a video by R.C. Sproul--<br />
<br />
"WRONG!"<br />
<br />
I'll admit, I startled myself.<br />
<br />
R.C. Sproul is one of my spiritual mentors. I owe him a debt of gratitude I could never repay. He was speaking about sinning against God and was using tithing as an example. He said that Christians who don't tithe are robbing God. This is when I (loudly) voiced my adamant disapproval. I couldn't risk some poor souls suffering a wounded conscience until the video was over. He was wrong. New Covenant believers are not commanded to tithe. And our flock needs to know this.<br />
<br />
Of course this brings up the larger context and question of whether Christians are under any of the Law of Moses. Again, the answer is NO!, as is clearly taught in the New Testament. Rather than go into detail in this blog I would urge you to read an excellent article by Thomas Schreiner, a professor at Southern Seminary on <em>"7 Reasons Christians Are Not Commanded to Tithe."</em> He also addresses (briefly) the issue of the New Covenant believer's relationship to the Law of Moses. You can read it below--<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-reasons-christians-not-required-to-tithe">https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-reasons-christians-not-required-to-tithe</a><br />
<br />
Pastor DougDoug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-2585376416081000962017-03-10T14:44:00.000-08:002017-03-10T14:44:36.150-08:00Shack Attack
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really don’t like laying down ‘do’s and don’ts’ about the
movies Christians should or shouldn’t see. Better to teach biblical principles
and allow believers to make their own decisions out of faith and conscience.
But as a shepherd, I need to warn the flock about a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
It’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The Shack,” </i>an
uber-best-selling book that is now out at the movies. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many Christians have written about the heretical views
behind the book, but still, some baby believers or bored Christians looking for
entertainment <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sans</i> sex and gore,
might still head to the theatres to see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Shack.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The most obvious problem that many Christians have already
pointed out is that the movie portrays within the Trinity, a woman as the
Father, and a black woman as the Holy Spirit. Ah, diversity! Yes, this is a
problem – not because the Holy Spirit is black or a woman – He is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spirit</i> and has no color, let alone
gender! But it’s a problem because as I have often said, the Second Commandment
properly understood prohibits the Father, the Son, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or</i> the Holy Spirit from being represented in any physical form –
including by an actor or actress. Yes, I just torpedoes all Jesus movies, and
even pictures of Jesus in children’s books. We need to remember that God gave
us a word-Book, not a picture-Book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And yes, it is a problem that God is deliberately portrayed
as a woman when the Scriptures consistently call Him, “Father.” But the
theology in the background of this movie is not just weak, it is deliberately anti-Christian.
Of course the author of the book, Paul Young, could always wiggle out of such
criticisms by saying that this is just a story, it uses metaphors. It’s
narrative, after all, not doctrine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That was until his new book was released which shows in bold
color what Young’s theology really is, and it is utter heresy. At this point
let me point you to the great article by Tim Challies that explains what is in
this book. But <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">don’t</i> click the link
until you finish reading my article—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><a href="http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/what-does-the-shack-really-teach-read-lies-we-believe-about-god"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/what-does-the-shack-really-teach-read-lies-we-believe-about-god</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Challies points out, the centerpiece of Young’s heretical
views is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">universalism.</i> Young
believes, contrary to everything the Bible teaches, that at some point every
person will be saved, if not before they die, God will use the fires of hell to
purge away (not punish, mind you) any unbelief. Even Satan and his fallen
angels will be restored to a right relationship with God. Young believes that
after death there is a second chance, and more than that, a complete
inevitability, that all people will eventually repent and come to full
relationship with God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is the point: this doctrine of demons lies at the very
heart of the book and movie. Young believes that man is basically good, God is
not sovereign, Jesus did not die to remove sins, and everyone is already in
Christ and just needs to believe that it’s so. These lies <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">permeate</i> the movie. They aren’t in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">back</i>ground but in the fore<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">front</i>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But can’t a Christian just see the movie for some innocent
entertainment? Well in addition to helping to finance this heretical hot-mess,
we need to wise up: none of us are beyond being subtly influenced by the theology
it presents. Wrong worldviews can seep into our thinking while we are merrily
munching our popcorn. It’s not without reason that Paul warned the Christians
in Rome: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“. . . I want you to be wise as
to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.”</i> (Romans 16:19)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So don’t waste your time or your money on this turkey.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Besides, Rotten Tomatoes only gave it one star.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastor Doug<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-42696115235613134112017-02-02T16:17:00.000-08:002017-02-02T16:17:25.011-08:00A message from Pastor Doug
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear flock,</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For those who missed our Annual Meeting last Sunday evening,
we were so encouraged to hear the reports of how God has blessed our church and
used our church in this last year. So much ministry goes on here, and so much ministry
goes out from here, all around the world. Last year, you gave almost $40,000 to
support our missionaries and other ministries, locally and globally. We heard how
we were able to help our own church family through our benevolent fund, about
the ministry of our precious ladies in ‘The Widow’s Might,’ and our privilege
of helping Hope City rebuild homes lost in the Valley and Clayton fires. We
just committed $80K to Hope City out of our fire fund. What an amazing
blessing.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And we also heard that last year’s giving was $40K short of
what we budgeted. This is due to many factors. Some folks moved away after the
fire, and others have retired and re-located. Others have had situations that
impact their ability to give. These things happen in the life of a church, and
we’re not discouraged or despairing. But this is a time of re-building for our
church family, and we are trusting God to bring us new growth and meet our
needs. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Elders made the decision to cut $20 from last year’s
budget. And now we are asking all of you in our church family to prayerfully
consider your own stewardship in this ministry God has given us here at MBC. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We are asking you to consider increasing
your monthly giving by 10-15%.</i> If we are all able to do this, or more, we
should be able to meet this year’s budget. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I would encourage you to think about using the online
giving on our phone app. I’m using it myself and it’s pretty cool. It’s easy to
set up and you don’t have to worry about forgetting your offering. And then when
we take up the Sunday offering – you can just chill! The info on how to set up
online giving is on our website and on the phone app.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please, let’s all pray and see what God does. We are in an
exciting time because we know that our heavenly Father is “able to do far more
abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within
us.” So we say with Paul: “To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-2). </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastor Doug<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-86811321339652648042017-01-03T11:18:00.000-08:002017-01-03T11:18:24.131-08:00The church is not a hospital.
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wanted to pass along this really insightful quote from Dale Partridge:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday, I heard a Christian say, “The church is a
hospital for sick people.” I couldn’t disagree more. The church isn’t a
hospital, the church is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">medical school.</i>
It’s where we learn how to heal the world. Many of today’s Christians are walking
in curable diseases. They are so busy needing help, they can’t help others. The
Bible says, “Lay aside the sin that so easily entangles you” and “you are more
than conquerors.” Christian, you are not a victim to sin, but a victor over it.
Christian I know it’s easy to walk in each Sunday, grab a stretcher and wait
for your pastor’s message to heal you, but that’s not God’s purpose for His
meeting. God’s purpose is train up men and women to do the work of the
ministry. The world is our hospital. It’s waiting for you to bring the Gospel.
It’s waiting for you to disciple lost sheep. It’s waiting for you to be
healthy, the question is, are you walking strong, or wallowing in your
sickness?” Dale Partridge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-91661153726943800122016-12-18T19:08:00.000-08:002016-12-18T19:08:34.014-08:00Redemption through Incarnation
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An excerpt from this morning's sermon: "Redemption Through the Son" (Ephesians 1:7-10)</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is no redemption
without Incarnation because only a blood-relative could be our kinsman-redeemer
and pay the price to get us out of hock and out of jail. That’s why Jesus was
born as a little human baby in Bethlehem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was 25 years ago that 16 year
old Anissa Ayala found lumps on her ankles and began having severe stomach
pains. Her parents took her to the hospital and she was diagnosed with a rare
form of leukemia. If she couldn’t get a bone marrow transplant she would die.
Her older brother wasn’t a match, her parents weren’t a match. Others were
tested, but no match.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So her parents made a huge
decision: they decided to try and conceive a child who might be a match for Anissa.
Mary Ayala was already 42 years old – so her odds of a successful pregnancy
were only 40%. Abe Ayala had to have his vasectomy reversed, and even if they
could conceive, there was only a 23% chance that the baby would be a match. And
they got all sorts of criticism and hate mail for what they were doing. But for
the sake of their daughter, they did it. Little Marissa was born in 1990, and she
was a match. 14 months later, they fed her marrow into sister Anissa’s veins,
and her cancer was completely cured. Today, Anissa and Marissa are best
friends. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Marissa said about her sister, Anissa. “Without her and her sickness, I
wouldn’t be here. And if I hadn’t been born, she wouldn’t be here.”</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She was born because of her sister’s terminal disease, so
that her sister might live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are all born with a terminal disease –
literally. It’s in our blood from our father Adam, and it’s sin. It’s killing
us from the inside out from the day we are born. We needed a cure for our
disease – blood atonement – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">but there was
no match.</i> We needed a blood-relative. So God decided to bring His own Son
into the world to be our kinsman-redeemer. What a
sacrifice for the Son, yes, but what a sacrifice for His Father. So Jesus came, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He was a perfect match for us</i> because He’s
a real human being, just like us. He could pay the price to redeem us because
He is God and had no sin. Jesus was born as a little baby so that He might give
His blood, so that we might live forever. We have redemption because of Incarnation.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t that Christmas?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-2084562044889581572016-12-08T16:29:00.001-08:002016-12-08T16:29:32.592-08:00Abba Father<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And because you are sons, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has sent <i>the Spirit of his
Son</i> into our hearts, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">crying, “Abba! Father!” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Galatians 4:6</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been a Christian now for almost 45 years, and I’ve read
this passage hundreds of times., I’ve taught it in seminary and preached it
from the pulpit. But God spoke it to my own heart it at a dark, low, sad time
in my life. I cried out, “Abba, Father!” And I talked to my Father as His
child. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had always read this as describing the joyful, exuberant
cry of a Christian who grasps his sonship, is overwhelmed with excitement that
God is his Father, and so he comes into the Father’s presence with his head
held high, shouting out, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Abba! Father!”</i>
But maybe Paul was describing just what I was going through: a child of God
feeling weak, spiritually depleted and helpless—but at that moment, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">still <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">knowing</span></i>
that I could cry out “Abba, Father!” and my Father would be there for me, and
hear me, and love me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s when Jesus cried out to His Abba Father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was at the darkest lowest moment of His life. He was on
His knees, face on the ground, sweating drops of blood as He looked ahead to
the physical torture, and emotional abandonment of the cross. But He knew that
His Abba Father was there. He could go to Him, He could pour out His broken
heart, He could even ask Him if the cup could pass Him by. At that moment the
Holy Spirit was flooding Jesus with assurance that He was the beloved Son of
God, and He could cry out to His Father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So that’s the way I read this passage now, not so much as
the joyful cry of a Christian on a sun-shiny day, but as the whimpering cry of
a child of God on a dark, terrible night who knows that His Father is there for
him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our 4 kids are grown now, but during the years that we were
raising our 4 kids, we always left our bedroom door open a crack because we
never knew when we might hear, in the middle of the night, “Mom! Dad!” When
Rachel was in high school she came down with a severe bone infection that put
her in the hospital for two weeks. She was so sick. And when she came home from
the hospital I remember in the middle of the night, hearing that faint cry. I
would <i>fly</i> into her room—my feet hardly touched the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How much more our heavenly Father hears our cries. His door
is always open, and if you are His child, He is waiting to hear your faintest
whimper, in the darkest night: “Abba, Father!” Do you cry out to Him? You can.
It’s part of your birthright as a child of God. You can say with the Psalmist
in Ps. 116:1,2: <i>“I love the Lord, because He hears My voice and my
supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call
upon Him as long as I live!”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-15299318675393201142016-11-23T13:14:00.003-08:002016-11-23T13:20:12.763-08:00John Newton on the contradiction of an angry Calvinist."They who avow the doctrines distinguished by the name of Calvinistic, ought, if consistent with their own principles, to be most gentle and forbearing of all men, in meekness instructing them that oppose. With us, it is a fundamental maxim, that a man can receive nothing but what is given him from heaven (John 3:27). If, therefore, it has pleased God to give us the knowledge of some truths, which are hidden from others, who have the same outward means of information; it is a just reason for thankfulness to Him, but will not justify our being angry with them; for we are no better or wiser than they in ourselves, and might have opposed the truths which we now prize, with the same eagerness and obstinacy, if His grace had not made us to differ. If the man, mentioned in John 9, who was born blind, on whom our Lord graciously bestowed the blessing of sight, had taken a cudgel and beat all the blind men he met, because they would not see, his conduct would have greatly resembled that of an angry Calvinist."Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-61403260932217643092016-11-14T19:58:00.004-08:002016-11-15T09:19:42.396-08:00Empathy and the Election of Donald Trump<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Good writers know
the difference between “sympathy” and “empathy.” I sympathize <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for </i>another person when I have
compassion for their fear or their sorrow. But I empathize <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with</i> that person when I allow myself to feel what they feel. I choose
to enter into their suffering as though their nerve endings were connected to my
own brain. And this is a choice. Sympathy only goes as far as what I myself feel.
Empathy actively enters into another’s suffering until I feel it myself. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve been
surprised and baffled to hear that blacks, women, Jews, Muslims and others are
reacting to Donald Trump’s election with tears and fears. Because of my
personal demographic – male, white, middle-class, living in a rural, very
non-diverse area – I don’t feel threatened. Personally, I would have been more
afraid if Hillary Clinton had won. It’s really hard for me to grasp statements
like these from a respected, Reformed, black pastor—<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Congratulations
white evangelicalism on your candidate’s win. I don’t understand you and I
think you just sealed some awful fate . . . </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">evangelicals expressed
solidarity (again) with some of the worst aspects of American history and
culture while abandoning brothers and sisters of like precious faith.”</span></i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Huh? But I have precious
brothers and sisters in Christ representing very different demographics than
mine, who share this pastor’s grief and fear. I might think they are
over-reacting and exaggerating. But this is where empathy is required. I have
to admit that I’m not living in their skin or in their cities. They might be
right or wrong, but their feelings are still real and painful. Brotherly love
compels me to empathize with their fears even if I can’t understand their logic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anthony Bushnell,
writing on John Piper’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Desiring God</i>
site said this—<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">“One of the
central teachings of Christianity is to love your neighbor as yourself. The
Bible exhorts us to ‘weep with those who weep;’ it doesn’t tell us to ‘judge whether
they should be weeping’. . . The same is true for those in fear. We don’t have
to agree with the intensity of their fear in order to empathize with them.
Compassion doesn’t require us to be convinced another person is entirely
correct. It requires us to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">care</i> about
how he is feeling. Even if you think the danger won’t come to pass, the fear is
certainly real.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve said before
that I am no Donald Trump fan, but my “side” won in this election: the stats show
that a majority of white, male, older (don’t laugh), evangelical Christians
voted for Trump. I don’t require any empathy. But my friends who love Jesus as
much as me but look nothing like my demographic, deserve my empathy even if we
don’t see this election the same way. I need to listen to them until I feel, in
some measure, what they feel. I owe it to them to do my best to get in their
skin. It’s what I would want from them if the situation was different.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">And it’s what God
did for His children in the Incarnation. </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">God is
spirit, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cannot</i> suffer, and did
not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need</i> to suffer. He was immune to
suffering, but in the Incarnation, He laid aside His immunity to pain to feel
ours. God the Son literally got inside our skin, not just to suffer <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for</i> us, but to suffer <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with</i> us. He didn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need</i> to, but He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chose</i> to.
His empathy for us took on flesh and blood. So we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know </i>He cares for us. And I think that’s all our brothers and
sisters, frightened by this election, want to know from us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For we do not have a
high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. . .” </i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hebrews
4:15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663599289444948793.post-10390809465844270072016-10-14T09:45:00.001-07:002016-10-14T18:20:04.120-07:00Four things God says about your problem<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>1.) “I am in sovereign control over your situation.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> Psalm 115:3 “Our
God is in the heavens and He does whatever He pleases” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you believe this?—do you really? If you are a child of
God nothing in your life is random or accidental. Jesus taught His Disciples in
Matthew 6 that God is our heavenly Father who God cares for the birds of the
air and the flowers of the field, He even knows when one falls to the ground.
How much more is He intimately, powerfully, lovingly controlling every detail
of your life?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This doesn’t remove the pain or resolve the perplexity, but
what comfort it brings to know that our heavenly Father is in complete, loving,
caring, control. Don’t be afraid of this truth: This problem is from
God. It might be hard, and it might hurt, and the fire might be hot—it was hot
for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego—but God was right there with them in that
fire, wasn’t He? This trial is from God, and He is in control. But He says something
else—<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>2.) “My glory and your good is the purpose
behind your problem.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Romans 11:36 “For from
him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>His glory: </i>He has allowed this problem
into your life—to show off the splendor of His glory. Wow! What a privilege we
have when God afflicts us: our problems are painful opportunities to put our
God on display, to show off His wisdom, power, and mercy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We can be myopic, we are up too close – and we are wringing
our hands asking “What’s happening to me? Why is this happening to me? What’s
going to become of me?” But it’s not just about you, it’s not even mostly about
you, it’s about the grand plan of the universe which is to bring all glory and
honor to God. And you can be absolutely certain that this is the ultimate
purpose behind your problem. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>And your good!</i> He is sovereignly causing all
things to work together for your good: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Romans 8:28-29 “And
we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for
those who are called according to his purpose. </i>[And what is the good?]<i> For those whom He foreknew He
also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son . . . <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let this percolate into your mind and down into your heart
until it brings peace and comfort. God has entrusted to you the <i>stewardship</i> of
your situation for the purpose of displaying His glory, and in the process,
transforming you into the image of His Son. His glory, and your good. Wow! Do
you believe this? Do you accept it? <i>Does it bring you joy? </i>Don’t
move on, don’t offer anymore counsel until it does. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But is it about God’s glory and my good even if my own sin
got me into it?” Does Romans 8:28 have an exception clause for sin? Absolutely
not. If you are a child of God, and even if your sin got you into this mess<i>,
He is sovereignly causing all things to work together for good.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then turn to this wonderful passage that puts it all
together: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>James 1:2-4 Consider
it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the
testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect
result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If this is of God, and for His glory, and my good, then I
choose to be joyful. God is not to be blamed, He is to be thanked and praised.
And then He says—<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>3.) “I hold you responsible to trust and obey Me in
this situation.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now this goes against the grain of our world. Oprah says
it’s not your fault, you’re a victim of abuse or you were spanked as a child or
whatever. God says, “If I have put this situation in your lap, then you are
responsible to trust Me and obey Me, and I will give every spiritual resource
to do so.” You don’t need to make excuses, or shift the blame to anyone or
anything else—look at the log in your own eye, and deal with it—<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>1 Corinthians 10:13 No
temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; [No,
you’re not the first one to struggle with this] and God is faithful, who will
not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now let me tell you how most Christians misunderstand this
passage: It’s not saying that God will always provide a way out of your trial,
a way of escape. It’s saying the opposite: The “way of escape” is through it.
God doesn’t promise to take away your trial but to be with you through it so
that you can endure it! That’s what it means to “escape,” you can escape
sinning in your trial by trusting and obeying. And like the hymn says: <i>“They
who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And one more thing God says—<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>4.) “I bless those who trust and obey Me with peace
and joy.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you believe that the blessing of God is better than
anything sin can offer? You can run away from this trial and escape the
pain—you can give into that temptation, and experience the pleasure. But do you
want the blessing of God, or not? I urge you to wrestle with this question
until the answer is yes. The blessing of God comes to those who trust and obey.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul had much pain in his life, and once it was so great
that he said this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “Concerning
this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He has
said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in
weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses,
that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with
weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with
difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What did Paul want? For the pain to stop. And God had all
the power in the universe at His disposal to stop the pain, but He didn’t. He
had no lack of love for Paul as His precious child, but He didn’t take the pain
away. Why? Because He wanted Paul to find something infinitely greater through
the pain—Christ and His all-sufficiency. Circumstances?—unchanged.
Problem?—solved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The real question is: “Do you want what God wants, and are
you willing to do whatever He says?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you settle this you can stop asking “<i>Why</i>,
Lord? <i>Why</i> are You doing this to me?” You already know why: for
His glory and for your Christlikeness, that’s why. So stop “<i>why</i>-ning,”
and just ask “what?” “Lord, <u>what</u> would You have me do in this
situation?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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When you finally say, “Lord, not my will, but Your will be
done,” and “Lord, whatever You tell me to do in Your Word, I will do,” your
circumstances haven’t changed, but your problem is really solved, isn’t it? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Trust and obey, for
there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”</span></span></i></div>
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Doug Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860683844810711272noreply@blogger.com0