Just Another Wretch, Slave of Christ

Bear Fruit to Stand at the Last Day

2011-03-28T15:28:00.000-06:00

Let us always remember, that baptism, church-membership, reception of the Lord’s Supper, and a diligent use of the outward forms of Christianity, are not sufficient to save our souls. They are leaves, nothing but leaves, and without fruit will add to our condemnation. Like the fig leaves of which Adam and Eve made themselves garments, they will not hide the nakedness of our souls from the eye of an all-seeing God, or give us boldness when we stand before Him at the last day. No! we must bear fruit, or be lost forever. There must be fruit in our hearts and fruit in our lives, the fruit of repentance toward God, faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and true holiness in our conversation. Without such fruits as these a profession of Christianity will only sink us lower into hell.
~ J.C. Ryle
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1985], 234. {Mark 11:12-21}

source: http://jcrylequotes.com/2011/03/28/bear-fruit-to-stand-at-the-last-day/

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)
-The Wretch, Slave of Christ

Excellent Quote on Glenn Beck

2010-08-29T08:30:00.001-06:00

From Mormonism Research Ministry's Facebook wall:

If a Muslim told an audience of thousands to "Look to God," most Christians would dismiss his plea knowing he is not speaking of the God of Christianity. Why then do Christians see no problem when Glenn Beck makes such a plea? Do Christians really think the god of Mormonism is the same as the God of the Bible?

Scource: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Mormonism-Research-Ministry/132614173847

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

-The Wretch, Slave of Christ

Over-due Update / New Project- Body of Death

2010-08-23T22:59:00.001-06:00

It has been MONTHS since I have posted anything of significant substance, for that I am sorry, I really have missed blogging. Since our youngest was born at the end of March, life has been...difficult. We welcomed our youngest Andrew Ezekiel into the world on March 30. For those of you who know us, you know the issues we have had with both the boys, especially Drew (stomach issues and colic). I have hardly been able to go out and witness due to busier work schedule (10 to12 hr days + working outside + heat = exhaustion). I would like to come up excuses on why I have not been out there, but it boils down to nothing more then sinful selfishness.

In the past I have made some pictures that were on the subject of sin and they were dark in nature ("Crucify!" and "Mirror of the Ten Commandments"). My latest project follows along the same lines. I know that there are some out there who have asked why my pictures are so dark, even borderline creepy. I make these pictures based off what has been reveled to me from God and His Word. Every time God shines His light to revel an area of sin in my life what I see is dark, dirty, and revolting. When I get a glimpse of myself in comparison to my Maker I shutter.

Before Drew was born I was going through a time in my spiritual life of coasting and relative ease. It is easy to allow yourself to forget just how sinful your flesh is and how monstrous it can be without God's restraining hand. But when Drew was born all of that changed. God used a little baby and an almost-two-year-old to show me this. And though I am struggling every day, with varying degrees of success, I see God's gracious hand helping me through it. Many times I have read and pondered the passage in Romans 7 where Paul, an apostle of Christ, relays his own struggle with sin.

Romans 7:15-25
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

As I pondered this passage I was drawn to the phrase "body of death." I sometime ago heard a message by Pastor Jack Hughes in which he explained what the "body of death" was. I had always assumed that it was just a metaphor for our flesh as something that is dying and sinful. Pastor Hughes explained that it was actually in fact a reference to first century death sentence. Below is a description of said punishment:

"Roman society knew a gruesome form of capital punishment (practiced primarily by Etruscan pirates in Northern Italy) in which the body of the murdered person would be chained to the murderer (hand to hand, face to face, etc.) In the hot Mediterranean sun, the body would quickly decay, spreading not only rancid odor but also deadly infection to the murderer. The doomed criminal would carry this awful burden until the decay and infection from the corpse finally ended his own miserable existence. It was only possible to be freed from the horrors of this punishment if someone else chose to carry the body in the place of the murderer, carrying it to his death."

Source: http://eternityimpact.blogspot.com/2010/06/body-of-death-february-24th-2009.html

What a vivid description Paul uses to relate our sin to us. Although we are a new creation, while we are here on the earth we will always have our sinful flesh bound to us, infecting us, killing us, and, if the Lord should tarry, will be what brings us to the grave. But thanks be to God for the hope of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ! When we die or the Lord comes back we will not have to be bound to our bodies of death for eternity!

I have smelled the rotting corpse of my flesh and have allowed it to infect me to behave in a manner contrary to what I have been called to. This is the background to my latest project "Body of Death." I will warn you it is rather dark. Jenn has a hard time looking at it and while I was making it she started to cry, but I think it is a powerful visual reminder what what our sin is and who we are before salvation.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)
--The Wretch

JC Ryle Quote

2010-08-17T05:23:00.000-06:00

Let us carefully remember that our blessed Lord suffered and died of His own free will. He did not die because He could not help it; He did not suffer because He could not escape. All the soldiers of Pilate’s army could not have taken Him, if He had not been willing to be taken. They could not have hurt a hair of His head, if He had not given them permission. But here, as in all His earthly ministry, Jesus was a willing sufferer. He had set His heart on accomplishing our redemption. He loved us, and gave Himself for us, cheerfully, willingly, gladly, in order to make atonement for our sins. It was “the joy set before Him” which made Him endure the cross, and despise the shame, and yield Himself up without reluctance into the bands of His enemies. Let this thought abide in our hearts, and refresh our souls. We have a Savior who was far more willing to save us than we are willing to be saved. If we are not saved, the fault is all our own. Christ is just as willing to receive and pardon, as He was willing to be taken prisoner, to bleed, and to die.

~ J.C. Ryle
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John, volume 3, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1987], 236.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)
--The Wretch

Evangelism Opportunity

2010-05-01T13:04:00.002-06:00

I know that evangelism can seem to be intimidating, especially if you have never done it. But I ask you, if you are a Christian, and someone who had only three minutes to live came up to you and ask, "What must I do to be saved" or "I am scared to die what can you tell me?" Would you be able to help them? I think being able to give a response to this is very important. If we truly have been born-again, we know enough of the Gospel to share with someone how to receive salvation. (Romans 10:17)

We (Magic Valley Bible Church) have a great opportunity at the fair this year. We are gong to have a table/booth. It will be a great way to tell people about our church and what activities we have going on, but more importantly, it will be a great way to share the Gospel, people come up to you! Russ Buffalo and I are trying to put together a group of people who want to share their faith, so that we can man the fair table and have people walking the fairgrounds witnessing. I know there are people out there who want to share their faith but are unsure how to do it or even scared. Do not worry, we have a solution. There are going to be plenty of events coming up that will be great for training and practice. Russ and I would like to incorporate some book training, role-playing, and some "in the field" training. Please contact either one of us if you are interested. We have a couple of months before the fair gets here, let's get equipped and trained and share he Good News of the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins! Remember, experience is not required nor is actually witnessing at first. If you want to come along just to see what is like that is fine, you can be a shadow.

We have one such event coming up on Friday, May 7th at 6pm. One of the local churches is putting on a Battle of the Bands in the City Park. I have read up on this event, and it looks like a great opportunity. according to the event organizers they are hoping for about 2,000 people in the park. Also according to the organizer, it appears that the Gospel being proclaimed to the people is not a priority:

“It is an outreach program; in our minds we are trying to gain exposure to let kids know that there is a safe place for them to hang out. We are not pushing God or religion. We just want to give the youth an option of a safe environment to hang out and ask questions."

"We tell the bands that they don’t have to play Christian music, but we want them to have music with positive lyrics that inspire and encourage. We are looking for a diverse group of bands with all types of music with a diverse, positive sound.”

-Youth pastor Josh Jensen
Source: http://www.magicvalley.com/entertainment/article_3ae9e916-3740-5e13-9b94-b52712340d5e.html

We ask that you come along with us. There is going to be a diverse group of people attending this from true Christians, to lukewarm self-proclaimed followers, to the admittedly lost. Please come along with us, you do not even have to say anything or pass out any tracts. Just come along and see what it is all about! Email me at: three_min_to_live@hotmail.com

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)
--The Wretch

"Crucify!"

2010-04-02T11:09:00.002-06:00

Click the picture to see larger

Although I am now saved by the Grace of God, I was in the crowd yelling "Crucify!" at The Son of God's trial. From a human standpoint it seems as though God was not in control, but according to Isaiah 53:10, "Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him..."

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

Welcome to the World!

2010-03-30T20:39:00.000-06:00

I would love to introduce Andrew Ezekiel Marshall!

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

Special Audio for Easter

2010-03-28T15:17:00.000-06:00

As anyone who has read my blog or knows me knows, I kind of like Wretched Radio and Wretched TV. When it used to be called Way of the Master Radio, they put together a poignant show about Good Friday and Easter. I know last year I posted it, but I though it would be beneficial to post it yet again please enjoy!

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

Our God is in Control

2010-03-21T21:55:00.002-06:00

As I sit here trying not to read or hear anything about what is going on in Washington, I could not help come across this picture. It sure does say a lot about how I feel, in fact I kind of feel the same way I did in November of 2008. I can feel myself staring to get apprehensive, and freaked-out. But, by God's grace, I also feel the Holy Spirit convicting me of my sin. Did God not know that our current President would get elected? Did He not know that he would then reverse and enact measures that would cause abortions to be more readily available? Was our God asleep, away, or maybe He is not powerful enough to stop it? I think not! To think so would strip Him of some of His attributes, which is idolatry. We may not know what our future holds or how our God is orchestrating events, but I do believe that what ever happens, God will receive glory and honor from it. This glory He gets could come from Christians crying out to Him in prayer: lamenting, interceding, praying for the lost, praying for those who are going to be effected by this, etc. Glory can be given to Him by people being more motivated to hit the streets seeing the signs that changes are on the way (check out this post from Tony "The Lawman" Miano.)

Romans 8:28
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 immediately thought of this hymn. This where I hope, this is where I cast all my concerns and worry. May God be glorified!

My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

Apologetics , Topic 1 - God Is Not Real

2010-03-20T15:16:00.001-06:00

I was recently asked to teach the junior and senior high school kids for a few Sundays to cover for the current teacher. I was surprised and humbled by the request. It is a daunting task. I would not consider myself a teaching kind of person, but I was told I would be teaching on basic apologetics and tie it in to witnessing. I was given the added help of teaching through a book called The Ten Most Common Objections to Christianity by Alex McFarland. Although I have not read the entire book as of yet, I have found the book to be a good resource thus far. After going through the first chapter; I came to the conclusion that this is an important area to learn and was very glad I agreed to do it. I think this can be beneficial for everyone who shares their faith. You are bound to run into one the these questions at some point, which is why I decided to post the notes/handouts that I make based off the book for all to read and learn from.

1 Peter 3:15
...Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you...

Please note, unless otherwise expressed all of my notes are either directly taken from the book or my paraphrase from the book.

Ok, to start off we should probably define what apologetics is and define some terms:

Apologetics - Definition- speaking in defense of what you believe.
Atheist - Someone who completely rules out the existence of God.
Agnostic - Someone who says that you can’t know for sure about the existence of God.

Psalm 14:1
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God”...

Does God exist? Let’s look at some of the following “proofs” and see what conclusions we can come to.

Every Effect Has a Cause
The universe had to have a cause; the atheist will say that it was the Big Bang; Christians believe that the cause is Almighty God. For something to be or an action to happen there has to be and outside force that is larger, stronger, and more powerful to cause it – God.
Every Creation Has a Creator
Based on the previous point, life could not have just appeared out of nowhere. We have a universe that was caused, it is a creation, and therefore their must be a Creator of it. Of course the Bible states who the Creator is and how He did it.
Every Design has a Designer
The complexity of design displays the intelligence of the designer. Look at a cell phone. It is incredibly complex. When you look at it you wonder who made it, you never think that it just designed itself. Now look at a single cell. It is an extremely complex organism; more complex than a cell phone. So, if things have been designed, they must have an intelligent designer.
Communication Requires a Communicator
Communication is going on all around - in humans, animals, even our cells. DNA is a complex coded system of instructions for our cells. This complex coded system revels that it was created by an intelligent Communicator. There cannot be communicated information without a Communicator.
Evey Law Has a Lawgiver
Every society and culture has a set of moral rules or laws that are used to keep the peace. These may not necessarily been written down, but they are known by all. When we study these societies, we find that though isolated from each other by time, location, and culture, all of the moral laws are almost identical at their core. All humans (in general) are against injustices like rape, murder, theft, etc., but are also in favor for those who exhibit heroism, altruism (selfless concern for the welfare of others), and self-sacrifice for others. Is it coincidence that all societies and cultures, even those isolated from each other, would develop almost identical moral laws? Or have these moral laws that we all have been preprogrammed into us from an outside source? How could we all have developed the same moral laws if it had not been intentionally put there (conscience – “with knowledge”)? If we have moral laws, there must be a moral Lawgiver outside of us. If there are moral laws and a moral Lawgiver, we must now ask what the repercussions of breaking that moral Lawgiver’s laws are.

So, do these “proofs” prove God exists? Not entirely. These only prove that there is something lager, more powerful and more intelligent than us out there that is the cause of all there is. So, what conclusions can we then come to? This Causer must be a personal being because we are personal beings. The One who causes must be at least as personal as us (the effect) or we would be more advanced than the One who created us. Nothing that is made can be more advanced than the one who made it. This all essentially boils down to this: If God is the Causer/Creator/Intelligent Designer/Communicator/Lawgiver, He would have to be over and above the effect/creation/design/communication/law, and be at least as personal as us. We have discovered that God has revealed Himself as a personal being, and as such we discover that God is also a revelatory being. How does He choose to reveal Himself?

General

Creation – The universe is not only proof of His existence, but it also gives us a small glimpse of who He is.
Conscience – The basic moral laws that we all have shows us God’s standards, which in turn shows us His character.

Specific

Scripture – The entire Bible shows us who God is and what He expects of us.
Savior –Jesus came to Earth to show us, in the flesh, who God is in a way that no one (or thing) ever could.

Conclusion

We know that God exists and that He is not a distant, unknowable, vague Supreme Being. But that He is a personal and knowable God who allows us to have knowledge of and learn about Him and wants us to know Him!

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

Puritans Book Giveaway...

2010-03-07T16:25:00.002-07:00

Here is a giveaway from JCRylequotes.com! It is for the book "Meet the Puritans." Go check it out!

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

"I Love My Glory!"

2010-02-25T22:20:00.004-07:00

Listen starting at 41:40 through 47:42

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

Prayers For a Co-Worker

2010-02-21T15:52:00.005-07:00

Dylan is one of my co-workers at Pepsi. He is one of the nicest guys I have worked with. He his polite to customers and fellow workers, he does his job with little to no complaint, and, unlike most of my fellow workers, he has a clean mouth. Dylan also within the last year got married and is now helping his wife raise her son. On the surface he is a "good" guy. When it comes to politics he and I differ on virtually everything, but I have to say I like Dylan a lot and we get along fairly well (at least according to my estimation). Dylan is a trainee, so he rides along with other drivers to help them out until a route opens up for him. He has rode along with me many times and, ashamedly, I almost always avoided religion.

About four or five months ago he was riding along with me and the subject matter somehow (had to have been God) turned to religion and I was able to present the Gospel to him. He did not really react to it other than look and sound uncomfortable. He seemed to agree with some point and disagree with others, but in the end he said that he grew up Catholic and he saw is "belief" in God as a personal thing. I remember asking him what his wife's beliefs were and he said he did not know and had never asked. He then quickly changed the subject to something else and I left it at that.

Last month he was riding with me and we came across one of the "Jesus asked, 'Who do you say that I am?'" billboards and I asked him if he had seen them and how he would answer the question. He promptly stated that he did not want to talk about "theological things" with me. A few days later I asked him about it and he said he was just tired at the time and was not in the mood, so I left it at that.

On Wednesday morning driving into work I saw him ahead of me so I started to pray for him. I asked that the Lord open his eyes to his sin and that God, if it was His will, would draw Dylan to Himself. I also prayed that I would be bold in my witness to him and would change my fear of men to fear for men. It turns out that Dylan was to ride along with me that day. (Isn't it amazing how God answers our prayers and sets things in motion before we even pray?!) Later that day, I told Dylan that I knew it made him uncomfortable when I talked about religious things. I explained that I was not trying to intentionally make him uneasy or shove anything down his throat, but explained that is was out of concern. I told him that if what I believe is true, why wouldn't I want to tell other people. I told him that I liked him a lot and was concerned for him and that I waned him to know that has been and still is my motive. He expressed that he was grateful, but I could tell he did not want to talk anymore about it, or so I thought. So I said I that I would not bring up the subject anymore, but that if he had questions, wanted to go to Bible study, or wanted to go to church to let me know.
A few minutes after I said this he asked church was "so important." So I took this as an open invitation to, while answering his question, to use my testimony to share the Gospel with him again. In the end he said that he did not feel as though going to church was important, his beliefs were private and he did not want to share them with others. Unfortunately, we arrived at our last stop and I was not able to continue the conversation. The next day I gave him a "STOP, Who Do You Think I Am?" tract and asked him to read it when he had a chance.

I have decided to let things simmer with Dylan, I have presented the Gospel to him several times and have given him several tracts. I do not know how long I will let it simmer with him, but I know that if God is working in his heart, Dylan will come to faith. So at this point I ask you to pray that God brings Dylan to a saving faith in Him, that his eyes are opened to see his hear the way God sees it. Also I ask that you pray for me to as I struggle to fight my fears and boldly proclaim Christ to those around me.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

How Often Am I Guilty ?

2010-02-20T11:07:00.069-07:00

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."

Exodus 20:7 

blas·phe·my

/blas-fuh-mee/

–noun,plural-mies.
1. impious utterance or action concerning God or sacred things.
2. Judaism.
a. an act of cursing or reviling God.
3. Theology. the crime of assuming to oneself the rights or qualities of God.
4. irreverent behavior toward anything held sacred, priceless, etc.

Source: http://dictionary.reference.com

A recent post by Tony Miano at "The Lawman Chronicles" has caused me to be a bit introspective about how I may be guilty of blasphemy. In the post Tony tells about a church sign with a message that was supposed to be funny that used Christ's death on the cross as a play on words. It got me thinking, do I ever joke around about the things of God? Of course I would never intentionally use the Lord's Name in vain, but do I always use His Name or other things related to Him with reverence?
.....

I have to say that I do not, I am guilty of not giving full reverence to my Lord and Savior. After some pondering, I have determined to be more serious about the things of God. I think it would be good for all Christians to look at their lives and see if they may have some room for improvement in this area. I am not trying to be a wet blanket, I just think their are certain subjects that we just may need see differently.

Jesus Christ died a horrific death for our sins. Jesus, sweating great drops of blood, did not take his impending death lightly. The Apostles, of whom all but one died martyrs, did not take the things of God lightly. Neither should we.

O Merciful Lord,

I confess all of my sins. Sins of this day, week, year, all the sins of my life, sins of early, middle, and advanced years, sins of omission and commission, of my angry tempers, of lip, life and walk, of hard‐heartedness, unbelief, presumption, pride, of unfaithfulness to the souls of men, of lack of bold decision in the cause of Christ, of deficiency in outspoken zeal for His glory, of bringing dishonor upon Your great name, of deception, injustice, untruthfulness, in my dealings with others and you of impurity in thought, word and deed, of covetousness, which is idolatry, of substance unduly hoarded, improvidently squandered, not consecrated to the glory of You, the Great Giver; sins in private and in the family, in study and recreation, in the busy activities of men, in the study of Your Word and in the neglect of it, in prayer irreverently offered and coldly withheld, in time misspent, in yielding to Satan’s wiles in opening my heart to his temptations, in being unwatchful when I know him near, in quenching the Holy Spirit; sins against light and knowledge, against conscience and restraints of Your
Spirit, against the law of eternal love.

O God Pardon all my sins, known and unknown, felt and unfelt, confessed and not confessed, remembered or forgotten. Merciful Lord, hear my cry; and hearing, have mercy on me.

(Confession of Sin, The Valley of Vision)

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

--The Wretch

"It is not good that the man should be alone..."

2010-02-14T17:25:00.011-07:00

"... I will make him a helper fit for him." (Genesis 2:18)

Today marks seven years that Jenn and I have been married. Every year I appreciate more and more this verse from Genesis. I sadly admit that that in the years before God saved me I had a very selfish view of our marriage. But since then my love for my wife has been changing from a selfish "love" to what love really is, a self-sacrificing-life-long-dedication to the woman I made a pledge and covenant with on February 14, 2003. I am still in the early stages of being and am imperfectly able to portray that kind of love to my wife, but, by God's Grace, she has abundantly patient with me!

Ephesians 5:25-33

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way m husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Jenn--
As is my charge from Scripture, you have my promise and solemn vow that I will exhibit this kind of love and devotion to you the best I can with the help of our Lord God.

Men--
I challenge you to love your wives in this way. Paul reveals to us here that our marriages represent our (those who are saved) relationship to Christ! Let us love our wives and show the world what true love is, self-sacrificing.

"Peace to all of you who are in Christ." (1 Peter 5:14 ESV)

--The Wretch

Exalted Worship - So Great a Salvation

2010-02-13T22:27:00.005-07:00

The Impossible Gospel

2010-01-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

A Question and Evangelism Opportunity

2010-01-18T13:44:00.008-07:00

I just found out on Sunday that my pastor has nominated me head the outreach for a billboard campaign. The billboards have the above image on it. This is a daunting task for me, I can't help but say that I am nervous. Not only do I have to swallow my own fear, but I need to try and organize some people to go out with me, and if need be give some training! I would certainly not consider myself a teacher, much less an organizer. Please pray that I cast my cares upon the Lord and trust in Him fully. Also pray that God moves in the hearts of those around me to join with me and go out to share the Gospel with those who are perishing!

Thank you for your prayers!

I believe that the above question is an important question. This question I think separates people. A lot of people know the basics of Jesus, but just who do they believe He is? Is YOUR understanding correct and just what would your understanding of who Jesus is be? Consider these verses:

John 8:58-59 (English Standard Version)

Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

John 10:30-33 (English Standard Version)

"I and the Father are one."
The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?" The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God."

1 John 5:9-12 (English Standard Version)

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

2 John 1:9 (English Standard Version)

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

A Great Privilege

2010-01-01T13:32:00.003-07:00

This morning as Jenn was taking down the Christmas stuff, I had Robby on my lap and we were watching a YouTube Video. The video was of "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" with scenes from "The Passion." I had the a great privilege, I had the chance to explain what we were seeing and hearing to my son. Don't think that I have never talked about these kinds of things before with him; he is starting to get to an age where I can see that he is understanding and comprehending his little world.

As we sat there I explained the images of Jesus being beaten, being sure to explain that we were watching an actor and not really Jesus. I explained how he was nailed to the cross for our sins and how Jesus was the willing and perfect sacrifice for our sins. The video showed scenes from the Last Supper and I got to explain how Jesus instituted the New Covenant and we no longer had to make a sacrifice for our sins, we only need to come to him with a repentant heart and put our full faith and trust in his work on the cross.

As I was telling him these things, of which I don't know how much he was able to comprehend, tears came to my eyes as it hit me; I not only have the profound privilege to teach my children these truths, but the huge responsibility as well. It is a task that I will not take lightly (Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2,) but will thank my God everyday for.

Below is another video that we watched, the quality is not very good, but the content of the song and the accompaniment (sorry if not the correct usage of this word) of the images is powerful.

The Fair and Witnessing

2009-09-21T16:02:00.010-06:00

Sorry about the timeliness of this post, things have been hectic for me these past few weeks. But about the fair. It seemed that we were not going to have a booth at the fair this year for various reasons, so Jenn and I and some others from church were going to hand out tracts on our own independently from each other.

Someone from church (Paul) did have a booth at the fair for his home business and the spot next to him was vacant. When one of the people in charge at the fair noticed the spot next to him empty the guy told him that if he wanted he could expand his booth. The man said that it looked bad to have empty booths. Well, when Paul's wife Vicki heard this she asked if she could set up a table for our church, and the man said that is was ok.

We now had a booth at the fair. This was encouraging, I had wanted to do some evangelism at fair and was kind of disappointed that we did not have a booth, but God had provided a booth for us. Since the church was not expecting to have a booth, the church did not have many tracts on hand. Providentially, someone had ordered some tracts through the church and did not want them any more, the problem, there were only a few packs. Jenn and I, not knowing we had a booth or that there was a need for tracts, decided to go back to the fair and I happened to grab the two packs I had. We decided to go back and see Paul and Vicki, they told us the situation and we happily handed over the tracts. Because God had providentially set this all up, the tract table had plenty of tracts for the fair.

Like I said before, I had the desire to witness at the fair and we now had a booth. (I know I could have still witnessed, but due to my sinful fear I was going to just hand out tracts.) I had rolled the idea around for months in my head (witnessing at a fair booth), but as soon as the opportunity presented its self, I got sick to my stomach and fear entered my heart! Vicki told us that she needed help to man the booth, so I volunteered to help, my stomach dropped even more. How hypocritical of me, here was the opportunity I was hoping for and once it presented its self I wanted nothing to do with it!

Despite my fear, I helped out at the table. Let me make this clear, it was only by the undeserved Grace of God was I able to overcome my fear and anxiety. I have witnessed one on one in the past, but I have never been able to find a consistent, clear, and concise way of sharing the Gospel. I submitted myself to God in prayer before showing up and in spite if my flesh God used me to clearly proclaim His word.

PLEASE NOTE: I am not searching for any accolades, pats on the back, or atta-boys. I am not trying to draw attention to myself. I am merely showing what God do even through a sinful excuse-filled vessel. I am boasting only in my weakness, that God may be glorified in my weakness. (2 Cor 11:30, 12:8-10)

God gave me the opportunity to share one-on-one, with two to three and once with a small group. Over all, I directly shared the Gospel with about twenty different people. God gave me a clarity that I have not had before. I was able to finally put into better words and analogies that made sense. God opened the recesses of my mind where I had stored all of the witnessing encounters that I have heard and He helped me assemble it together to form a clear Gospel message. at one point there were six or seven people all gathered around wanting to know the Million Dollar Question. It turned into a mini open-air (preaching.) I had to lift my voice so they could all hear, and as a result people walking by stopped (thankfully God caused me not notice them, I would have been thrown off.) After I was done a kind lady encouraged me with a quick "good job," which was very kind.

One more experience I will share was what I call a drive-by. I asked an older lady if she could answer the Million Dollar Question. Paul egged her on and suggested that she could not. So, she asked what it was.

"If you were to die right now would you go to heaven or to hell?"

She leaned over the table and gently touch my hand and said, "I know where I am going, too bad you don't." And she started to walk away!

I replied, "How do you know that I don't?"

"Because of the way you are preaching this!" And she took off!

Needless to say I was flabbergasted. I sat there trying to find words to say. But God knows what He is doing. Sin entered my heart and I wanted to have a "discussion" with her. But God knowing my heart caused her to walk away. Thank you Lord for saving me from soiling Your name!

My evangelism flame before this, was flickering and on it's last bit of fuel. I had let sin overtake my heart and allowed myself to slip into complacency. God used the fair to reignite my flame and passion for the preaching of the Gospel. "Do you see, do you see, all the people sinking down? Do you care, do you care, are you going to let them drown?" Do we really belive that if poeple do not come to a saving repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone, that they are going to hell? Do we REALLY believe it? If we do how can we stay silent? Why do I care If I look like a fool if it is to be a fool for Christ who is the only one who can save them from their sins and Hell? Where is my urgency, my compassion? People are dying everyday! I am preaching to myself as well as all you fellow Christians. We are all called to evangelize (Matt 28:19-20.) We may not all have the gift of being a full time evangelist, but are our lives marked with going out of our comfort-zone to share the Word of Truth? Remember, we are no better than the lost, just better-off. We are just fellow beggars trying to show other beggars where to find the Bread of Life!

Please pray for all of those who heard the Gospel! Pray that God may save some!

Update Coming Soon!

2009-09-07T22:52:00.002-06:00

Once I rest up and spend some well needed time with my family, I will post an update about the Gospel sharing at the fair. Please pray for the souls that hear the Law and the Gospel and for those who left with the Spirit convicting them of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

Conviction...From a Sunrise?!

2009-08-17T20:48:00.003-06:00

Well as the title says, I was deeply convicted by the sunrise this morning. I will explain my thought process that I had this morning and it will weave in to my conviction.

As I was driving to my first stop this morning I was preparing myself to start my time of prayer (I have about a forty-minute drive.) One thing I really enjoy, is seeing God's handiwork in each of His sunrises. Today's was magnificent, as usual. The clouds looked like they were drawn across the sky by a wide brush. The color of the sky near the horizon was a fiery orange, with reddish hues being cast on the clouds. When the sun broke over the horizon it came with blazing glory.

I started to think about power of God and how creation unfalteringly obeys His commands to create such a masterpiece. God commanded the earth to be tilted at the perfect amount for their to be different seasons. God commands the earth to be at a perfect distance in orbit around the sun to allow for life to thrive on the earth. God commands the sun's explosions to produce life sustaining energy and light. He commands all this and the creation obeys. He commands the earth to rotate, which produces the sunrise. The atmosphere refracts light just as commanded to shine through the dust that has perfectly obeyed to give the sky its fiery color. God gave wisdom and knowledge to the person who made my glasses that allow my eye to clearly see all that I saw. This is where I paused and came to see my sin, weak and feeble faith in God's faithfulness.

I was planning on confessing my lack of faith, but God brought it to the forefront of my mind right there and then. A little background, I have been starting to stress a little about some changes coming up. We have another little one on the way, we will soon need to find a better and or bigger place to live and to top it all off, my work is reorganizing everyone's jobs and I have to interview for some positions this week. Their is a lot of uncertainty coming up, one thing I do not like. I already knew that God has always provided for my little family. We may not have an abundance but we have always had enough and have not lacked. I had no reason to worry and I was going to confess and repent, until the Holy Spirit wanted to give me a better perspective.

At this point I was crushed and tears came to my eyes. God saw this vile, small, God-hating, blasphemous rebel and instead of snuffing out my little meaningless and God-opposing life, He caused me to be regenerated and born again! And yet He still puts up with my sin as I struggle with my flesh everyday, oh wretched man that I am! But I know their is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, He sees us as perfect even though we are not yet perfect. What right do I have to worry?! How arrogant of an attitude. Look at the birds of the air and the lilies of the field are they not clothed and fed? Will God not take care of those that He has adopted as sons?

Father, forgive me for my lack of faith!

Does This Offend You? It's Truth...

2009-08-16T07:51:00.000-06:00

God's Loving and Sovereign Hand

2009-08-15T21:23:00.002-06:00

Well I thought I would start off with the highlight of the summer for our little family. About a week ago we found out that God has blessed us with another little life! We are so very happy and surprised about this.

Jenn and I have been incredibly blessed. For those of you who do not know our story, I will give you a brief overview. We tried for four and a half years to conceive our son. We went from one heartbreaking month to another. Every time Jenn was late, our hopes soared only to have them come crashing back down shortly afterward. We scrounged up money when we could and went to the doctor to try to figure out what the issue was. The doctors were never able to give us a definite answer about what was causing us not to conceive. (We were not saved at this point.) We thought we were never going to be able to have a child, so we tried putting it out of our minds as best we could

In the fall of 2007, God caused Jenn and I to be born again. In November we found out that God blessed us with a child! Please note, I am not a proponent of "Come to Jesus, and life will be better." We were, and still are, convinced that God had kept Jenn's womb closed until the preordained time, namely our salvation. Looking back, we are convinced that that we were in no position to have a child. We struggled to stay married, to eat, and pay bills.

So, now coming back to the present. God has again shown us his sovereignty in our lives. It took us four and a half years to conceive, we always thought that to have another child might take just as long, or never happen. We sure were wrong. I have come to see that this can not be anything but God's hand at work in our lives presently and in the past.

Will Be Back Soon!

2009-08-11T18:41:00.002-06:00

I am very sorry to all of you who follow my blog! I have had an quite an eventful summer. Virtually every night I am exhausted, my job gets very busy in the summer (and hot.) I have many things that I have been wanted to blog about but have been too tired (mentally and physically.) I have some big news that some of you already know. I will try to get a new postout by Sunday!

Thank you for your patience!