So Many Questions Without Answers

Hi. Blog posts that ask a question and then work through the problem with reason and evidence to eventual reach a conclusion with a tidy answer are great. But don't you think they're a little overdone? I mean, everyone claims they know everything, or at least according to their blogs they do, anyway. I'm going to post on something I don't have an answer to, ok? You, though, can win a bonus point if you can tell me where I got the title of this post. Now let's begin.

It all started in church today. We're going on our 9th month of a sermon series on the end times (don't worry, we take some occasional breaks). Today we studied the second half of Revelation 13 - the second beast. This second beast's goal is to point those who are still around at the halfway point of the tribulation to worship of the antichrist. In part of a big-picture illustration about the counterfeits of Satan, our pastor referenced Matthew 24:23-28, when Jesus warns His followers not to fall prey to those who claim to be Him or to have seen Him.

But what really got me was verse 24:

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

To understand my ramblings, you are going to need to accept that fact that I believe in the doctrine of election. I'm not telling you that you have to believe (though naturally, I think you should), you just need to understand it. Election is the idea that God has predestined those who will be saved. Says one theologian from the Western Reformed Seminary, "God's sovereign choosing of those who would become the recipients of the blessings obtained through the covenant of grace". This teaching says that the Lord has known from the beginning of time who will be saved, and that we are in this position because He chose us.

You will also need to work under my comprehended timeline for the book of Revelation: that we are currently in the pre-millenial stage, there will be a rapture through which the church is taken up by Christ and sometime after that (perhaps immediately) begins the 7-year period of tribulation for those left on earth. At the 3 1/2 year, or halfway mark, the antichrist, or beast will be revealed. Those who do not have the mark of the beast will be unable to participate in commerce and trade; he will do signs and wonders, and even suffer a mortal wound and live. Many will seek after him and worship him instead of Christ, and new followers of Jesus will be persecuted and face immense hardships.

The last five words of this verse, are then, incredibly disconcerting.

If possible, even the elect. Well, what I want to know is, "is it possible, or isn't it". All things are possible for God. Clearly, Satan isn't God, and neither are false christs and prophets. Phew. BUT Satan isn't man either, and if he's behind these false prophets and christs, where does that leave us in terms of his power? That, I believe, depends on where we are in time, which I will get to in just a moment.

Now I will give you a peek into my journal from this afternoon, as I tried to reason through the verse in respect to timing:
The elect are those chosen by God to accept salvation in the perfected work of Jesus Christ. If the Lord has predestined us to be saved, how could we be deceived into worshiping the false christ and prophets? Unless the deceit, in this case, is temporary. Even assuming temporary deceit, wouldn't there have to be some sort of consequences to the church as a whole? Does this deceit have place in the pre and/or post rapture places in time? If it refers only to pre, is it possible that the elect mentioned here will not be raptured, but instead come into salvation during the tribulation? I can't get my mind around how this deceit would manifest itself post-rapture. Unless the elect follow the beast for a time before ultimately being reconciled to God. 


Throughout this whole series, I have seen how much I do not and can not know about God and His sovereign will. I can only be thankful for my salvation with Christ, and a new life full of His abundant grace. It is sometimes fun for me to think about these things, but in the end I know all I can do is trust the Lord with my life and put all my hope in Him.

Christianity and Liberalism

The 20th century theological commentary by Machen has been cited in many books within the last decade on the emergent church. It speaks not to liberal politics, but liberal theology and the movements away from the gospel of Christ.

Last week I was reading 1st Corinthians, and I was tripped up by this verse:

But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of [Christian] brother if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater [whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God], or is a person with a foul tongue [railing, abusing, reviling, slandering], or is a drunkard or a swindler or a robber. [No] you must not so much as eat with such a person. (5:11). 


I thought that sounded harsh. Aren't we all sinners? But Machen's words helped make a connection in my brain: 


"Christian fellowship exists only between those to whom the message (of the gospel) has become the very basis of all life" 


Those who hear the gospel and are transformed are no longer just sinners. We  are repentant sinners. We are redeemed sinners. We are ransomed sinners. And though we continue to sin, we strive to no longer serve it. We sin, and we repent. A man who struggles with a pornography addiction while seeking godly counsel and Christ's strength is different from one who relies on himself and continues to fail. A woman who works to honor Jesus in her standards of dressing and can get carried away is different from the woman who worships all the latest trends. 


Fellowship in Christ exists to build one another up, which cannot exist when one party attempts to build as the other is constantly swinging a wrecking ball at his own foundation. 

Confessions of a Coffee Purist

I drink coffee. Black. Any other way, it just doesn't taste like coffee. But days like today make me shift out of my routine.

The first cup went well. I chatted with Kathryn as she got ready for work, and then it was time for the second cup as she left. I had great intentions. I was going to drink this cup and just enjoy the morning. Well.

The children got up 45 minutes early, and one of them had had two girls sleep over. Those 3 got up first, and I got them bowls, cereal, milk, apple juice, and cut up some fruit. Back to coffee. Then the middle child awoke, and we started over. Then, finally, right on time, the oldest. So now they'd all had breakfast. Nathaniel started on his chore - using the cordless vac to take care of the floors - which caused the dog to have a fit (she believes vacuums, brooms, and step ladders are all the antichrist). So she had to go out. Then worksheet assistance was needed. Carolyn wanted to test herself on me and see if she'd had her verse for this week memorized (she didn't, but we got there eventually). Then I had to round up the youngest and get them ready to go home. And then I finished cleaning up the kitchen from breakfast. (I should note that Kathryn and Tim don't expect me to be the kids' nanny or anything like that, but I enjoy getting them and the house situated when I can)

My coffee by this point was that foul lukewarm leaning cold temperature and completely unappealing. I  dislike microwaving it because I think it's only a temporary fix, and who wastes coffee? So for when mornings like these catch you off guard try this:

(My cup was about 2/3 full)

Fill up the cup with milk ( I did almond milk).
Dump into a small pot and heat on the stove.
Add just a few drops of vanilla extract
Stir in cayenne pepper and cinnamon to taste.
Turn off heat just as it starts to boil.
Pour into cup and enjoy!

There are lots of things you can do to make it your own. I like the cayenne and cinnamon though (this is often called a mexican latte). You could also add chocolate for a mexican mocha.

So far, this is working out much better for me.

I also warmed a slice of the snickerdoodle bread I made a few days ago. So good! And it's the first bread I've ever done all by myself, so I'm really proud of it! I already have ambitions of a squash braid (thanks EJ!) and monkey bread.

Alxamduyeesu!!!

So let it be clearly known and understood by you, brethren, that through this Man forgiveness and removal of sins is now proclaimed to you;  And that through Him everyone who believes [who ^[a]acknowledges Jesus as his Savior and devotes himself to Him] is absolved (cleared and freed) from every charge from which he could not be justified and freed by the Law of Moses and given right standing with God. Acts 13:38-39

Coach As Servant

The last time I coached gymnastics, I was doing it for myself. I just needed a job and it was fun and convenient for me so why not? This summer, though, I've found a tremendous joy in a new approach.

Right from the start, I've felt a longing to know the girls I'm working with and how to best meet their needs. I want to see them be successful for themselves and to give them something to be proud of. I want them to get excited. I'm a tough coach, but gentle too. You'll work, but you'll enjoy and learn from it, and be stronger because of it.

In a way, it feels like I've found a way to bring Christ into my every decision and action and word as a coach, and be there to guide and truly serve these girls. I hope they can see where I'm coming from. They trust me so much, and I want to let the Lord shine through me so they have someone worth trusting.

Moments Like These

Gabby (8): Miss Kate?
Me: Yes?
Gabby: Uh, my chore today is to clean the toilet.
Me: And?
Gabby: I don't know how.
Lesson on toilet cleaning 


Kathryn: Hey Kate, can you review some French with Nathaniel
Me: Sure thing. Nathaniel, Quel age as tu?
Nathaniel: Um, um merci?
Me: Age. It's spelled a-g-e
Nathaniel: Age! Twelve. Douze! I'm douze!

Me: Now if someone asked you ca va? And you said ca va mal, they'd probably say pourquoi. Who knows what pourquoi means?
Carolyn: Pour what?
Gabby: Ooo ooo!
Me: Yes Gabby?
Gabby: never mind.
Nathaniel: Why!
Me: Oui, bien fait!
Nathaniel: Hey mom, I think I earned a bowl of cereal for that one. I'm faim.

I Don't Get It

I was reading an article online about pastors who leave their positions to live lives as atheists. I read stories of people who dedicated 20, 30, even 40+ years of their lives to feeding congregations with the word of God, to nurturing faith among many, to praying with and for those they encountered in need.

And then, they stopped.

What makes someone who was once so convicted that he felt the need to tell the world stop believing completely? Did he never feel God's hand guiding their steps forward through life? Or hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit as he kneeled to pray early in the morning? Did he see the Lord answer prayer, providing in ways inconceivable to human demands? All of these things are meant to build faith, to serve as a testimony to who God is in our lives. The cross has already been written on our hearts, yet we need proof, and God bears with us enough to give it to us.

I don't see how one can go from being a preacher of the Bible to telling people God doesn't exist. I'm currently living with a pastor's family, and the gospel truly colors their entire lives.

I guess this is just going to remain a big question mark for me.