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I tried to post a picture of John-John enjoying ice cream with me this summer.
Read HABAKKUK by Walter Chantry (cvbbs.org); also delight in and discipline your children and grandchildren.
Fun With Grandmother August 26, 2009
Some Help For Troubling Times August 26, 2009
Walter Chantry writes briefly and to the point. He is plain and simple. He is also serious. He edits BANNER OF TRUTH MAGAZINE and most of his books are published by BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST. I recently cleaned out my library and discovered that most of the books I treasure now were published by BANNER over the years. They are the ones I’m not willing to toss out as I downsize and simplify.
Another connection I have with Walter Chantry is his mentor, Ernie Reisinger. As my pastor, he encouraged me to teach and write. Ernie wrote the preface for my OLD PATHS FOR LITTLE FEET (carolbrandt.net) and gently led me into a reformed interpretation of the Bible. Ernie was largely responsible for BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST opening an American distribution center and office. And he was one of the founding leaders of the church where Chantry was pastor for 39 years.
HABAKKUK will help you get thru these demoralizing political times. I know many of you are anxious about these things as you raise your children or babysit your grandchildren. What will their future be like? Will America or England or Scotland or Western Civilization survive? Are we going to totally lose our culture and its Christian heritage?
“In the Scripture, God’s severe correction of his sons has even come during times when there lived saints with outstanding measures of grace. Yet he did not use their gifts to revive. As Habakkuk spoke of his dread of Babylon’s crushing blows to Judah, still to come, he was speaking of times in which not only he, but also Jeremiah, Daniel and Ezekiel lived. Yet their prayers and their faithful ministries were not employed in quickly accomplishing a revival that prevented severe chastisement.” (p. 42)
Go to http:cvbbs.com/inventory. This link to Cumberland Valley Bible Book Store will enable you to buy HABAKKUK for $6.95.
Inerrant, not Literal August 17, 2009
The doctrinal building block of looking at the Bible as inerrant is a big deal. Christian history shows us that. The Protestant Reformation in the 1500’s and the Puritan Revival in the 1600’s and then evangelical revivals since have turned on this view of scripture.
Inerrancy says that all scripture is “breathed” by God, thru the pens and voices of real men who wrote or spoke in their own languages of the time.
Moses, the first, wrote away while camping in the Sinai desert. Finally, John the apostle, who knew Jesus intimately enough to lean on his chest as they talked quietly, wrote letters and about his visions while on a Greek island, exiled because of his claim that Jesus was the one Moses’ had said was coming.
Who cares?
Those of us who believe the Bible and the gospel are important enough to draw a line in the sand. You are either on one side of the line or the other. In one community of people or the other. It is all about living eternally or not.
To believe the Bible is without error in its original languages is quite different from believing every word is to be taken literally.
Look at Isaiah, for instance. In 43 and 44, the preacher is calling on the nation of Judah to turn back to God and His plan for saving them. He predicts the greatest world empire of the day, Babylon, will be destroyed (v. 14). He then draws a refreshing picture of streams in the desert and wilderness beasts praising Him because He refreshes and redeems this community of people who have nothing to fear. They are God’s loved ones.
But, to quible over whether there are literally streams in the deserts and ostriches praising God is to miss the whole point. The gospel is here. Jesus is here. There is no other rock or foundation upon which we can stand for survival into eternity.
Taking it all as without error would include remembering that in 516 or so BC, Persia invaded Babylon and sacked the greatest city and empire the world had ever seen. Isaiah got it right. He, of course, got it right in his first book about Judah being the only nation saved from the Assyrians too. And he had predicted the Babylonian takeover of the Assyrians.His prophecies were never wrong.
These are just two examples of what I mean about “without error”–inerrant, not literal.
Read your Bible like this–for yourself. But, always with a view of how it affects your heart. For instance, what do you care about the Babylonian Empire? If Isaiah got it right about that, then you can trust his predictions that God would provide a Savior, provide righteousness for you, and sustain and strengthen you in whatever you are facing today.
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you.
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaish 41:10)
Chewing on Truth (For Teens) August 13, 2009
Oh, my gosh. School is about to start. All that humanism, secularism, paganism being shoved down your throat. Can you identify the difference between h/s/p and biblical Christianity? Are you able to think like a Christian in the midst of all this?
The most important thing is for you to learn to read, write, think, and do your math.
Look for someone you can help. Like sit with them at lunch so they don’t feel so bad.
Find someone who can help you during the day. Someone who loves Jesus Christ and reads their Bible. Read yours….try reading the Psalms, Proverbs, the gospels. Do you know what the gospel is?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
“For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).
Tonight think about these two basic truths of Christianity. Dwell on them; Chew them over. I will do it too.
THINKING LIKE A CHRISTIAN August 7, 2009
I hope your summer is turning out to be a time of reflection and quiet.
It’s not over yet, at least for those of us without children in school.
Somehow Paul’s letter to a small group attempting to establish a Christian church in Greece has survived all these years since 60 or so AD. He has some lessons on Christian thinking that are very potent for summer reflection.
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayewr and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:4-9).
Now this passage is often used as a call to positive thinking. Don’t be deceived. That is not Christianity; it is psychology. The Greeks already knew a great deal about living true to their philosophies. But, this church plant, like us, needed to be given a living example by watching Paul living out the gospel—-always expecting unmerited favor,
always pressing on toward holy living,
always hoping that today might be the day of Jesus’s return.
My friend, mentor, and teacher, Leilou Brady, has been my living example of this kind of thinking. I’m a very slow learner, but she remains patient with me–saying and living it over and over again. Who is your living letter? Who are you showing the hope of the gospel?
Are you attempting to think positively—or do you have the spiritual experiences and hope of the gospel?
Keep thinking like a Christian. Quietly reflect. Dwell on, chew it over.
A Summer Read July 8, 2009
As I’ve said before, I love the rhythm of slowing down for the summer months. It is so hot here from July to October that you’d better slow down! I’d like to introduce you to a good summer read and also to the publisher, Banner of Truth.
Walter Chantry has written a short book explaining three Psalms that point to Christ. The book is easy to read. His exposition is simple, direct, and applicable for both devotion and everyday life.
The three Psalms are Psalm 2, 110, and 45. They are all about the return of Jesus Christ as the conquering King. All nations will bow before Him. His judgment against all unbelievers will be sure and final.
(We hear Isaiah’s descriptions, and remember the historical events that pictured the fall of the nations.) Jesus comes, not only as King, but as the loving Bridegroom, to sweep the Bride off her feet and take her to live with Him forever. It is the ultimate summer romance! We, the Bride, are to be watching and waiting for our lover to come for us.
I hope you will enjoy this book and return to these three Psalms many times when there is winter in your soul.
Order Praises For the King of Kings at www.cvbbs.com or www.banneroftruth.org
Teaching Tips July 8, 2009
During an unexpected teaching moment when little eyes and ears are ready to hear, remember this:
Noah’s ark was like Jesus, our Savior. All of the people in the ark were saved from the flood which was a judgment from God upon sin. The animals were saved too.
David, the King, was like Jesus. He fought for God’s people; he conquered the enemies of God. Jesus will defend His people. He will win.
If even Solomon (with all his wealth, wisdom, and world acclaim) could let his desires become idols that caused him to sin, it could happen to us. Let’s practice giving in to others and giving up what we want.
Peter left his fishing business to be with Jesus. He saw Jesus alive after He had been crucified. He then became a great preacher. When Dorcas died, Peter raised her from the dead! Many people came to believe in Jesus as their Savior after that. (Acts 9) Peter wrote two books in the New Testament.
“Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,…” (I Peter 1:3).
A Wise Principle for Teens July 1, 2009
“Hatred stirs up strife,
But, love covers all sins.”(Proverbs 10:12)
“Whoever hides hatred has lying lips,
And whoever spreads slander is a fool.” (Proverbs 10:18)
The principle in both of these proverbs is that when we lie, it shows what we are really like inside. We should tell the truth. “Do not bear false witness” is one of the Ten Commandments. That applies to everyday life, not just during a trial. Lies originate in our heart where hatred lurks. They show us the condition of our own heart. The reason for this is the biblical teaching on original sin. Adam and Eve, remember?
Slander is a lie about someone. It changes how they are seen by others. It can ruin someone’s reputation. Passing slander along is gossip. How easy to do when we’re chatting or texting or on Facebook.
Slander and lies can ruin family relationships. You twist the truth just a tad to make yourself look better in the eyes of your parents. Or you slant things just a little to put down your sister. Face it. Hate is at the bottom of it all. It is certainly not love!
How wonderful it is that Jesus’s love for us cover these kind of sins! He loved us enough to suffer and die as our Savior. He never told one little lie. He never pitted his brother, Jude, against James. Or made himself look good at their expense. Now that sinless life covers over all of your lies. When you get a glimpse at your real heart, then run to Jesus. He will forgive you. He will dress you up like you were going to a fancy wedding–covered by His perfect life.
Your faith in these promises will be counted as if you were living a perfect life. Love will cover you up and make you presentable for a King. Then stop telling lies because of your thankfulness that you are forgiven and so dressed up in His righteousness.
“…Abraham did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:20-22
Teen Tip June 24, 2009
I want to open a new category for teens and their parents. The idea is still THINKING THRU THE BIBLE from a Reformed perspective. And, of course, it is about women of all ages embracing faith in Jesus as their Savior.
Today I heard and watched a guy on a jet ski racing around the river. He was using the jet ski to pull another boy on a board. What made me notice them was the rage and anger directed by the driver toward the other person who fell off the board. He was SO…OOO mad at him for falling!
It reminded me of how telling an incident like that can be. It is like a WARNING sign. If you were out with a guy (with a group or alone) who acted in such an outburst of anger, remember this:
“An angry man stirs up strife,
And a furious man abounds in transgression.” (Proverbs 29:22)
“A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back. (29:11)
Beware of getting into a serious relationship with someone like that. Don’t date them! It could mean trouble down the road!
TEACHING TIP #1 June 23, 2009
We all have increased opportunities for influencing children during these summer months. Make sure you connect with them by using words as they do. This is particularly important for grandmothers, like me, who might be a “little” out of touch.
Here is an example of a failure to connect:
Sunday I was telling the story of Jacob and Esau to ages pre-K through 3rd grade. My application was that telling a lie and deceiving our parents destroyed families and relationships. But, when we do lie, we need to remember that Jesus is our Savior, tell the truth, ask His forgiveness, and trust in His righteousness in place of our sin. So in explaining this, I said, “If you ever lie like Jacob did, then flee to Jesus.”
“Flea?” responded a smart bilingual boy. “Flea?”
In the midst of other questions more focused on Esau’s reaction to Jacob’s lie, I’m not sure I made clear my point of running to Jesus in repentance and faith!
ALWAYS USE THEIR LANGUAGE AS THEY USE IT
