Wordless Wednesday: First Baby Tooth... GONE!

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Wordless Wednesday: Library Summer Reading Program

             

   

              

             

 

   

              

 

             

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Lyrical Theology: The Atonement Q+A

I love songs that are chock full of Biblical theology. Take a look at this one, for example....

The Atonement Q+A 

by Shai Linne featuring Stephen The Levite

Who is God?

God is the universe's Creator 

And Sustainer plus the only Savior, 

there is no one greater

He triune, holy, omnipotent,

omniscient, absolute

Loving, sovereign and righteous are a

few of His attributes

How do we know this?

Well, we know this from the Bible

Where God has revealed Himself - anything else is just an idol

What's the Bible about?

Man's complete ruin in sin

And what God has done in Christ to bring us to Him again

What is sin?

Sin is the breaking of God's law

Plus our condition, which means from birth we all got flaws

What's the result?

The result is by nature we're God's enemies

And must pay the penalty unless God provides the remedy

What's the remedy?

The remedy is the cross of Christ

Where He suffered all the strikes for the lawless type

I've been rescued by the Lamb, I'm convinced that He's risen

And blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven!

Just fall back

and with the eyes of faith behold the beauty of surprising grace

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He's magnified - God's wrath is satisfied

So fall back

There's an atonement now

The cross of Christ is holy ground

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He's magnified - God's wrath is satisfied

Regeneration:

The Holy Spirit's true work in His love

To the elect, who receive new birth from above

Expiation:

Expiation means God's removed my filthiness

The Old Testament type was the goat into the wilderness

Redemption:

We've been freed from slavery to sin

And His very own blood is the price He paid, my friend

Propitiation:

Propitiation means since the Lamb has died

His work is finished - God's wrath is satisfied

Adoption:

Adoption means God is now my Father

I got the hottest Papa and by the Spirit holler Abba

Reconciliation:

Means there's no more enmity

God is now a friend to me, we're no longer enemies

Justification:

God declares us righteous

Sanctification:

We're being made into His likeness

Glorification:

That's what happens at the finish

When God conforms believers perfectly

to Christ's image! 

Just fall back

And with the eyes of faith behold the beauty of surprising grace

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He's magnified - God's wrath is satisfied

So fall back

There's an atonement now

The cross of Christ is holy ground

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He's magnified - God's wrath is satisfied

God's grace is magnificent, He slayed His innocent

Son - through faith and repentance we get the benefits

What is faith?

Faith is a gift from God - when we receive this

We trust and treasure the person and finished work of Jesus

Repentance?

Repentance is turning from your sin

And trusting Christ as the Spirit cleanses you within

What is grace?

Oh, grace is unmerited favor

Our inheritance major 'cause we cherish the Savior

Right, and if I may quote again, we were doomed with Satan

But believers got Jesus' righteousness through imputation

Imputation?

God takes Jesus' righteousness amount

Through faith He credits it into the Christian's account

Anything else?

Well, I guess this overview must suffice

But none of this is possible apart from union with Christ

And finally, once you know the ways of the Lord 

Than the only thing that you can say is 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Just fall back

And with the eyes of faith behold the beauty of surprising grace

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He's magnified - God's wrath is satisfied

So fall back

There's an atonement now

The cross of Christ is holy ground

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He's magnified - God's wrath is satisfied

You may or may not have figured out that this is a rap/hip hop song. Having grown up in the inner city, I like rap and hip hop....  as long as I can understand the words (I'm getting old!) and those words are glorifying God. 

This song is by Shai Linne, who is one of the few hip hop artist who has written and recorded so many songs about God's character and not about himself and his experiences. There is waaaaay too much emphasis on our personal experiences and sooooo not enough on who God is. I guess that's why I am drawn towards these God-centered hip hop songs. 

My children have been exposed to rap music from our CD collection. They like it. That's ok. Should we purchase any more music, it'll have to be some of Mr. Linne's songs. I'll use whatever it takes to get Biblical teaching and theology into this family, for the glory and praise of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Here is The Atonement Q+A song if you'd like to hear it. 

Here are some of my favorite songs by Shai Linne....

Spread His Fame

The Jealous One

Fal$e Teacher$
Shai Linne explains Fal$e Teacher$

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Fellowship Fridays

Take Time to Be Holy

I came across this beautiful hymn this morning.....

Those words just did me in! The title alone got me.

Confession: I've been lazy lately, spiritually.

How can that be? How can I do that? Christians cannot afford to be lazy. Holiness and walking in the Spirit isn't going to happen on its own. We must be diligent about pursuing the Lord and His righteousness.

As I was contemplative and prayerful, I read from My Daily Pursuit: Devotions for Every Day, where Mr. A.W. Tower said:

For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

We have all kinds of psychology and therapy to comfort people so they do not feel bad. Nothing wrong with trying to comfort someone who is going through some hard times, but sometimes we take it too far. 

I do not want to be comforted from the human standpoint. I do not want anybody downplaying the iniquity in my own heart. I need to allow myself to be broken before God, and out of that brokenness will come God's strength and His presence. The presence of God is what I yearn for each day. 

My family and friends cannot help me in that awful hour when I appear before God. When the Uncreated Being impinges on my naked spirit, I am beyond the help of anything human. 

There is only one way, and that is through the offering sacrifice and the Advocate with God; but do not take that lightly. Conversion used to be a revolutionary, radical, wondrous, terrible, glorious thing. Not much that left anymore. We have forgotten that God is the Holy One. 

God's presence in my life now is preparing me for that awful day to come. It is the presence of God now invading my spirit that is preparing me for that day. 

Oh that I would allow myself to be broken before the King so much more!

Oh that I would take time to be holy!

Father, forgive me. Help me to desire You more and more.

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Wordless Wednesday: Dressing Up for Free Food

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Wordless Wednesday

A Short History Lesson: The Star-Spangled Banner

Did you know that our National Anthem actually has 4 verses to it? 

Do you know who wrote it and why? 

Below is a very short video that tells the history of the Star-Spangled Banner song. 

This was a very important battle indeed. The fall of that flag and that fort would've meant victory for the British.

Complete version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" showing spelling and punctuation from Francis Scott Key's manuscript in the Maryland Historical Society collection.

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming, 
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight 
O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming? 
And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep 
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, 
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, 
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? 
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, 
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
'Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution. 
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, 
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land 
Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation! 
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto - "In God is our trust,"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 


Visit the Encyclopedia Smithsonian to get a complete account of the Battle at Fort McHenry. 

Thankful Thursday ~ Thankful for Freedom

On this patriotic weekend, I want to declare that I am thankful for....

1. All the people who found the courage and endured the journey to what we now know as America, with the zeal to worship God Almighty freely. 

2. All the citizens and soldiers who gave their lives fighting for freedom in this new land. 

3. All the people today, soldiers and citizens alike, who continue to fight for our freedoms. 

4. Although our freedoms are slowly being taken away by "Big Brother" and ones who seek to do what is right in their own eyes (with the support of the government), I am thankful for the freedoms that are still in place. 

5. While a war has come against Christianity in this country (something that's not new around the world), I am thankful that we are still able to read and carry our Bibles as we choose. 

6. On that same note, I am thankful that we are still able to meet openly with fellow believers and pray to God the Father, who is still on the throne. 


May we resolve to always stand firm in our faith, rooted and grounded in love; to be not shaken, remaining faithful to Him who is always faithful to us, no matter what happens. May we always uphold God's commands, never compromising, yet loving our enemies. 

Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (your conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!  ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13 (Amplified Bible)

Wordless Wednesday: The Men Clean Up

                              

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Wordless Wednesday