Westminster Larger Catechism Q # 2

Question 2: How does it appear that there is a God?

Answer: The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but his Word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation.

Philemon, an allegory?

Consider the following passage (Philemon 8-18) with these analogies in mind:
Paul (the advocate) : Jesus
Onesmus (the guilty slave) : us (sinners)
Philemon (the slave owner) : God the Father

Accordingly, though I (Paul) am bold enough in Christ to command you (Philemon) to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.

Westminster Larger Catechism Q # 1

Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man?
Answer: Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.

Quote of the Week

When a man is converted to God, it is done in a moment. Regeneration is an instantaneous work. Conversion to God, the fruit of regeneration, occupies all our life, but regeneration itself is effected in an instant. A man hates God-- the Holy Spirit makes him love God. A man is opposed to Christ, he hates his gospel, does not understand it and will not receive it-- the Holy Spirit comes, puts light into his darkened understanding, takes the chain from his bondaged will, gives liberty to his conscience, gives life to his dead soul, so that the voice of conscience is heard, and the man becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus.And all this is done, mark you, by the instantaneous supernatural influence of God the Holy Spirit working as he wills among the sons of men.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

I'm back, time for an update

Summer has begun, we never thought it was going to come, but, alas it has. I'm very thankful to be finished with finals, and to have 2nd year complete, as well as for Micah waiting until I finished. Now, though, we are (anxiously, perhaps) waiting for him. Funny how we want everything to happen according to our own plans. Our Lord is sovereign though, and He works all things for good.

Ginny is now dialted to 1.5 cm and 50% effaced, so Micah could come any day now! We'll keep you posted.

We also found a good home for the schnauzer (see post below); thanks Adam and Sarah.

Busy

I've realized that its difficult to stay consistent posting on this blog. Most likely because I am in the middle of ridiculous finals. This summer I promise to do better. Ginny is feeling decent; even so, she says she is very ready for him to come.

Update

We went to the doctor today. Ginny is still dilated only 1 cm. That is a good thing because we are hoping Micah will wait until I'm done with finals before he comes. Only 8 more days!

The Whole Gospel for the Whole Man

We must have the full message. . . 'deliver the whole counsel of God'. . . . It starts with the Law. The Law of God ... the demands of a righteous God, the wrath of God. That is the way to bring men and women to conviction; not by modifying the Truth.... We must confront them with the fact that they are men and that they are fallible men, that they are dying men, that they are sinful men, and that they will all have to stand before God at the Bar of Eternal Judgement....And then we must present to them the full-orbed doctrine of the Grace of God in Salvation in Jesus Christ. We must show that no man is saved 'by the deeds of the Law', by his own goodness or righteousness, or church membership or anything else, but solely, utterly, entirely by the free gift of God in Jesus Christ His Son. . . . We must preach the full-orbed doctrine leaving nothing out-conviction of sin, the reality of Judgement and Hell, free grace, justification, sanctification, glorification. We must also show that there is a world view in the Bible ... that here alone you can understand history-past history, present history, future history. Let us show this great world view, and God's Eternal purpose.... Let us at the same time be very careful that we are giving it to the whole man ... the gospel is not only for a man's heart, that you start with his head and present Truth to it.... Let us show that it is a great message given by God which we in turn pass on to the mind, to the heart, to the will. There is ever this danger of leaving out some part or other of man's personality.... Let us be certain that we address the whole man-his mind, his emotions and his will.

-Martyn Lloyd Jones

This is a test to see if dotphoto will work.

Click to see a slide show of pregnancy thus far

Top Ten Things Not to Tell Your Wife when She's in Labor

10. Hey, what's on ESPN?

9. You don't mind if I smoke, do you, dear?

8. Did you know Katie has her babies at home?

7. I can't wait for you to have the baby, so you'll be skinny again.

6. What's a five-letter word, meaning work, with a b for the third letter?

5. Man, I love burgers from Wendy's. How are your ice chips?

4. I need to call the office for a phone meeting.

3. Do you have any idea how much an epidural costs?!?

2. Man, eighteen hours so far. I need a nap. Wake me if anything important happens.

1. Remember the last time, how much it hurt right there at the end?


by R.C. Sproul Jr.

We've still got the dog.

Another day passes and Henry (formerly Buddy), is still in our house. Can you help? We need to find a loving home for the dog. I kind of want to keep him because it seems that Ellie, in the long run, would bother us less if she had a friend to play with. However, Ginny thinks that two dogs is one too many. Especially with a sleeping (hopefully) baby in the house; the last thing she needs is two barking dogs. I can certainly understand that. Let us know if you want Henry or know someone who does, because I have the feeling he's ours.

P.S. If there is anyone who reads this blog (probably not), feel free to comment by clicking on the comment button. All you have to do is make up a name and password and you can comment whenever you like. There is no commitment and it takes about 30 seconds.

Another new edition?

For those of you that know us, you also probably know our miniature schnauzer, Ellie. Well, serendipidously, as I was walking said dog, we came upon a lost SCHNAUZER. What are the chances of that? After coralling him into our backyard, and the subsequent discovery that he was devoid of ownership tags; we found ourselves in a small conundrum. Unfortunately, we have fallen in love with this great breed, and he may prove difficult to get rid of. We have gone through the customary dealings of posting signs and even an ad in the classified, but that has yet to be fruitful. So for now, we find ourselves with two schnauzers under one roof. Thankfully, they get along great. What will happen with this new dog (called Buddy for now)? No one knows, only time will tell. We'll keep you posted.

Ellie and her new friend

Humility

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Philippians 2: 5-11

Christ's humility consisted in his abasing himself from the highest pinnacle of glory to the lowest ignominy: our humility consists in refraining from exalting ourselves by a false estimation. He gave up his right: all that is required of us is, that we do not assume to ourselves more than we ought. Since, then, the Son of God descended from so great a height, how unreasonable that we, who are nothing, should be lifted up with pride!

"When a certain rhetorician was asked what was the chief rule in eloquence, he replied, 'Delivery'; what was the second rule, 'Delivery'; what was the third rule, 'Delivery'; so if you ask me concerning the precepts of the Christian religion, first, second and third, and always I would answer, 'Humility'
-AUGUSTINE

Our first posting

This is a test post to determine whether or not Ginny and I are capable of having a weblog. This "blog" will serve the purpose of keeping our family and friends updated on our life, especially with the impending birth of our son, Micah-- hence the name of the blog.

Micah sucking thumb circa 18 weeks