Where I grew up in Tacoma...on Mckinley Hill...there lived next door a hermit of a man named Kinniby who was famous in his own right as a hunter. He trained and kept hounds for tracking bear, cougar, wolves, etc. This is 65 years ago and the mountains east of the cities were wild.
I remember watching him skin out a cougar in his garage. it hung from the rafters to the floor. Anyway, I grew up thinking that a cougar was a large member of the cat family that preyed on other animals and was sometimes dangerous to man but always to livestock.
But I married a "cougar" fully ignorant of that fact until the word surfaced with an entirely new definition: "An older woman who lusts after a younger man." Every year, for four months, I make lite of the fact that my wife is an older woman. It's not a bad thing; it's a good thing; because everybody knows I need all the help I can get; things like, "Is that a clean shirt?" "Did you brush your teeth?" "Have you showered today?" and.....anyway.
Well, the day of the cougar is not too far away; Wednesday next, after which I am licensed to enjoy four months of reminding my bride that she is "the older woman" in my life. But come November I pay for it dearly because that's when I catch up and she gets to look me in the eyes and ask, "And how many are we today?" and I look at the floor in feign of discouragement and quietly answer..."seventy ****" It can only be one of three numbers, I guess you know.
Oh yes; a birthday present...hmmm...perhaps I will no longer call her a cougar...at least for a day or so. Naaaaahh! What fun would that be? e.c.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Forensics; it's about forensics
There is an ongoing angst-ladened discussion in the Adventist church about the nature of Christ. Ongoing, in terms of the last 40 or more years. Angst-ladened in the sense of a mitotic thought division within the church. The two views on the topic are simple and opposite: One claims that the Christ was born a man and with the fallen nature of man. The other claims that Christ was born with the unfallen nature of man as in the case of Adam before sin. It can't be both. Someone is right; someone is wrong. Which is which?
As foundation, I want to make it clear that Christ lived a sinless life; that He did not sin in word, thought, or deed. His sinless life constituted His credentials as Savior.
If Christ was born with a sinless nature (the nature of Adam prior to the fall) we could say that He was, in a very real sense, a second Adam. If Christ was born with the fallen nature of man (the nature of Adam after the fall) we could say that He was, in a very real sense, a second Adam. Are you confused? Not to worry. The church has been confused about this for decades and better minds than mine have addressed the issue.
The argument presented here is a matter of forensics, which deals with the authentication of substance, evidence, issues, etc. Here is what Wikipedia (an irrefutable source...smile) has to say about forensics; "The word forensic comes from the Latin adjective forensis, meaning "of or before the forum." In Roman times, a criminal charge meant presenting the case before a group of public individuals in the forum. Both the person accused of the crime and the accuser would give speeches based on their side of the story. The individual with the best argument and delivery would determine the outcome of the case. This origin is the source of the two modern usages of the word forensic – as a form of legal evidence and as a category of public presentation."
Putting that aside, here is the argument. In the controversy between Christ and Satan, Christ came to this world to prove to the watching universe that a man...The Son of Man...could do what Adam chose not to do. Eve was deceived. Adam chose to sin. Here is the heart of the point
As foundation, I want to make it clear that Christ lived a sinless life; that He did not sin in word, thought, or deed. His sinless life constituted His credentials as Savior.
If Christ was born with a sinless nature (the nature of Adam prior to the fall) we could say that He was, in a very real sense, a second Adam. If Christ was born with the fallen nature of man (the nature of Adam after the fall) we could say that He was, in a very real sense, a second Adam. Are you confused? Not to worry. The church has been confused about this for decades and better minds than mine have addressed the issue.
The argument presented here is a matter of forensics, which deals with the authentication of substance, evidence, issues, etc. Here is what Wikipedia (an irrefutable source...smile) has to say about forensics; "The word forensic comes from the Latin adjective forensis, meaning "of or before the forum." In Roman times, a criminal charge meant presenting the case before a group of public individuals in the forum. Both the person accused of the crime and the accuser would give speeches based on their side of the story. The individual with the best argument and delivery would determine the outcome of the case. This origin is the source of the two modern usages of the word forensic – as a form of legal evidence and as a category of public presentation."
Putting that aside, here is the argument. In the controversy between Christ and Satan, Christ came to this world to prove to the watching universe that a man...The Son of Man...could do what Adam chose not to do. Eve was deceived. Adam chose to sin. Here is the heart of the point
Monday, July 26, 2010
Not About Oil...Not About Land
Har Megiddo...a.k.a. Armageddon.
If you happen to watch generic religious TV; that is, not a particular denomination, you will hear a sermon or two...or more that includes Israel, rebuilding the Temple, mid-east oil reserves, Palestine, and the war to end all wars...Armageddon.
What I find curious is that so much preaching-energy goes into something so spiritually vacant. Vacant? Yes, vacant. Here's why: The battle between Good and Evil is, and always has been, a spiritual war between Christ and Satan. The death of Christ on the cross was to redeem mankind...all of mankind.
To my ear the religious rhetoric is more about Israel and the return of the Jews to their homeland. When one reads the New Testament it is good to ask this question; "Why was the Christ rejected by the Jews?" As I read it, the reason is because Jesus did not fit the traditional "profile" of the expected Messiah. The Jews were looking for a political leader who would vault Israel into world prominence and dominance. But because He said, "My kingdom is not of this world..." He was cast out of the city and killed.
Today's preachers are following the same path as did the Jews in Christ's time: They are preaching the return of Christ who will reign from Jerusalem with a rod of iron. There is a lot of missing-the-point preaching these days and millions are being led astray.
Someone is shouting; "You're preaching replacement theology" and I say, "Spot on!" When Christ drove the merchants out of the Temple where they were selling animals to those who would offer sacrifice of blood for their sins, He said (essentially) 'You shall not make My Father's House a den of thieves!" Did you catch that? He said, "My Father's House!"
But just prior to the crucifixion, after denouncing the 'Doctors of the Church' (so to speak) He said. "Your house is left unto you desolate!" So the Temple in Jerusalem went from "My Father's House" to Your House."
Interestingly, there are protestant preachers...maybe you've heard them...who make it a policy to raise money to bring Jews back to Israel. The message has changed from a battle spiritual to one literal. In my view that is a fatal mistake and results in distracting believers from issues spiritual to political.
Anything Satan does that redirects our thinking from preparing for Christ's soon return brings Satan joy [read I Thessalonians chapters 4 and 5]. The apostle's words are very clear and don't leave any room for politics.
Christ and Satan are battling for souls; not for oil, and not for land (Jerusalem).
Peace? I don't think so. e.c.
If you happen to watch generic religious TV; that is, not a particular denomination, you will hear a sermon or two...or more that includes Israel, rebuilding the Temple, mid-east oil reserves, Palestine, and the war to end all wars...Armageddon.
What I find curious is that so much preaching-energy goes into something so spiritually vacant. Vacant? Yes, vacant. Here's why: The battle between Good and Evil is, and always has been, a spiritual war between Christ and Satan. The death of Christ on the cross was to redeem mankind...all of mankind.
To my ear the religious rhetoric is more about Israel and the return of the Jews to their homeland. When one reads the New Testament it is good to ask this question; "Why was the Christ rejected by the Jews?" As I read it, the reason is because Jesus did not fit the traditional "profile" of the expected Messiah. The Jews were looking for a political leader who would vault Israel into world prominence and dominance. But because He said, "My kingdom is not of this world..." He was cast out of the city and killed.
Today's preachers are following the same path as did the Jews in Christ's time: They are preaching the return of Christ who will reign from Jerusalem with a rod of iron. There is a lot of missing-the-point preaching these days and millions are being led astray.
Someone is shouting; "You're preaching replacement theology" and I say, "Spot on!" When Christ drove the merchants out of the Temple where they were selling animals to those who would offer sacrifice of blood for their sins, He said (essentially) 'You shall not make My Father's House a den of thieves!" Did you catch that? He said, "My Father's House!"
But just prior to the crucifixion, after denouncing the 'Doctors of the Church' (so to speak) He said. "Your house is left unto you desolate!" So the Temple in Jerusalem went from "My Father's House" to Your House."
Interestingly, there are protestant preachers...maybe you've heard them...who make it a policy to raise money to bring Jews back to Israel. The message has changed from a battle spiritual to one literal. In my view that is a fatal mistake and results in distracting believers from issues spiritual to political.
Anything Satan does that redirects our thinking from preparing for Christ's soon return brings Satan joy [read I Thessalonians chapters 4 and 5]. The apostle's words are very clear and don't leave any room for politics.
Christ and Satan are battling for souls; not for oil, and not for land (Jerusalem).
Peace? I don't think so. e.c.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Dogs Don't Think About Clouds...I believe
At 6:00 a.m. this morning the sun had risen, the air was cool, clear, and the only sounds I could hear were the tree squirrels arguing their territory. Sounds tranquil; it was.
But there were no clouds.
The gray impenetrable ceiling of overcast day after day...a regular thing in these parts...that doesn't count as clouds. When I think of clouds my mind sees a Fiji horizon, where the clouds, like a fleet of sailing ships are steered by warm prevailing winds.
Sunshine is good, and today we are having lot of it; too much for some folks. On the lake, old men are fishing...it's been fished out by now but that doesn't matter...the young are churning the surface to a foam with their personal water crafts (I miss mine; not too old, just too much back ache).
But I was talking about clouds.
Just a few clouds would be a good thing. White, not too large, alto cumulus, drifting by, momentarily casting a happy shadow. So I began wondering about heaven and whether or not there would be clouds. Of course there would be no storm clouds; probably no lenticular clouds like those that form over Mount Ranier. Black clouds? No. Fleets of puffy white clouds sailing the horizon? I hope so.
The Bible talks about clouds in Revelation and Hebrews that I know of. There may be other places that clouds are mentioned, but I don't know where they are. This morning I was reading in Hebrews chapters 11 and 12. Here is what it says, starting at 11:27:
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented--of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all of these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I want to see Jesus come in the clouds (of angels), I want to meet each of that cloud of witnesses...and perhaps there will be clouds. Wouldn't that be just like God to do something like that?
Blessings. e.c.
But there were no clouds.
The gray impenetrable ceiling of overcast day after day...a regular thing in these parts...that doesn't count as clouds. When I think of clouds my mind sees a Fiji horizon, where the clouds, like a fleet of sailing ships are steered by warm prevailing winds.
Sunshine is good, and today we are having lot of it; too much for some folks. On the lake, old men are fishing...it's been fished out by now but that doesn't matter...the young are churning the surface to a foam with their personal water crafts (I miss mine; not too old, just too much back ache).
But I was talking about clouds.
Just a few clouds would be a good thing. White, not too large, alto cumulus, drifting by, momentarily casting a happy shadow. So I began wondering about heaven and whether or not there would be clouds. Of course there would be no storm clouds; probably no lenticular clouds like those that form over Mount Ranier. Black clouds? No. Fleets of puffy white clouds sailing the horizon? I hope so.
The Bible talks about clouds in Revelation and Hebrews that I know of. There may be other places that clouds are mentioned, but I don't know where they are. This morning I was reading in Hebrews chapters 11 and 12. Here is what it says, starting at 11:27:
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented--of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all of these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I want to see Jesus come in the clouds (of angels), I want to meet each of that cloud of witnesses...and perhaps there will be clouds. Wouldn't that be just like God to do something like that?
Blessings. e.c.
Friday, July 23, 2010
A Song for Sabbath...and Thereafter
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing--
Live forevermore. [Psalm 133]
Commentary would be a distraction from the message of this Psalm.
Res ipsa loquitur...the thing speaks for itself. e.c.
Live forevermore. [Psalm 133]
Commentary would be a distraction from the message of this Psalm.
Res ipsa loquitur...the thing speaks for itself. e.c.
Good Little Puritans
"Behold, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who by night stand in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord. The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion!" [Psalm 134 NKJV].
There are times, during a church service...especially when the music is beautiful and the words elevating...that I feel like standing and lifting my hands to the Lord in praise. I feel like it...but I don't. Some say that those who stand to praise the Lord are doing so to attract attention to themselves. In some cases that may be true, but what if the real motive is one of being driven by a spirit within our hearts; a spirit of praise and thanksgiving. Then what should one do?
Are we...am I...to stifle a outward praise to the Lord? Are we...am I to concede that it is more reverent, more respectful, more mature, more acceptable to be conforming and be certain to remain within the boundaries of what is considered Adventist propriety.
Oftentimes church is too quiet. There are too few people saying "Amen" too few times. I know of one man who will stand in church. I know of one woman who will lift her hands in praise. Neither of them are Adventists.
One of these days Alice, one of these days...Pow! I'm gonna stand up right in their faces and give the Lord the praise my heart longs to do. I will lift up my hands (a two hand'r) and praise the Lord and just deal with the questioning looks.
Lord, give me the courage to praise You, to bless You, to thank You outwardly, regardless of what others think in...of all places...church.
But maybe I should just sit on my hands and be a good little Puritan. What say you? I'd like to know.
"Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss."
The words of that old hymn; what do they mean?
Blessings. e.c.
There are times, during a church service...especially when the music is beautiful and the words elevating...that I feel like standing and lifting my hands to the Lord in praise. I feel like it...but I don't. Some say that those who stand to praise the Lord are doing so to attract attention to themselves. In some cases that may be true, but what if the real motive is one of being driven by a spirit within our hearts; a spirit of praise and thanksgiving. Then what should one do?
Are we...am I...to stifle a outward praise to the Lord? Are we...am I to concede that it is more reverent, more respectful, more mature, more acceptable to be conforming and be certain to remain within the boundaries of what is considered Adventist propriety.
Oftentimes church is too quiet. There are too few people saying "Amen" too few times. I know of one man who will stand in church. I know of one woman who will lift her hands in praise. Neither of them are Adventists.
One of these days Alice, one of these days...Pow! I'm gonna stand up right in their faces and give the Lord the praise my heart longs to do. I will lift up my hands (a two hand'r) and praise the Lord and just deal with the questioning looks.
Lord, give me the courage to praise You, to bless You, to thank You outwardly, regardless of what others think in...of all places...church.
But maybe I should just sit on my hands and be a good little Puritan. What say you? I'd like to know.
"Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss."
The words of that old hymn; what do they mean?
Blessings. e.c.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Frankly My Dear...
I am surprised at the level of racial vitriol being thrown over the back fence by supposed neighbors. The nation is not healing; old wounds are reopening and new ones appearing. A Dutch dentist once said to me, "If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much!" Perhaps that is supposed to be funny but I do not suppose it so. The joke between Norway and Sweden is "One thousand Swedes chased through the weeds by one Norwegian." Laughable, but not really funny.
I remember Rwanda. One continent, one nation, two tribes, hundreds of thousands murdered. I remember WWII and the Shua...Holocaust...and the killing of six million Jews. I remember standing on the third floor of the home of Anne Frank in Amsterdam, looking out the rear window and thinking of prosecution and persecution of that girl...and all because she was a Jew.
So now we have the Ying and Yang of racial politics; the black-white thing rising out of the still bloodied and muddied waters of this nation. They say that nothing is as simple as black and white, but a more likely gray. But what with the news of the past weeks it is black and white and it ain't simple.
There is an answer, but it is not found in the wisdom or reasoning of man. Those are the gods of Secular Humanists. The answer is Jesus Christ. Racial hatred is beyond my ken. I simply do not understand the rationale of hatred. Never have. Never will.
Call me "Cracker" if you will and I will smile and laugh it off. Sorry, but I am not offended by things so elemental and meaningless.
"By this shall all men know that you are my disciples; if you have love one for another." I guess you'll just have to look it up. I forgot the text. Sounds like John doing the quoting of Jesus.
Blessings. e.c.
I remember Rwanda. One continent, one nation, two tribes, hundreds of thousands murdered. I remember WWII and the Shua...Holocaust...and the killing of six million Jews. I remember standing on the third floor of the home of Anne Frank in Amsterdam, looking out the rear window and thinking of prosecution and persecution of that girl...and all because she was a Jew.
So now we have the Ying and Yang of racial politics; the black-white thing rising out of the still bloodied and muddied waters of this nation. They say that nothing is as simple as black and white, but a more likely gray. But what with the news of the past weeks it is black and white and it ain't simple.
There is an answer, but it is not found in the wisdom or reasoning of man. Those are the gods of Secular Humanists. The answer is Jesus Christ. Racial hatred is beyond my ken. I simply do not understand the rationale of hatred. Never have. Never will.
Call me "Cracker" if you will and I will smile and laugh it off. Sorry, but I am not offended by things so elemental and meaningless.
"By this shall all men know that you are my disciples; if you have love one for another." I guess you'll just have to look it up. I forgot the text. Sounds like John doing the quoting of Jesus.
Blessings. e.c.
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