Drawing for Free Book!

Check out the blog Dust and Clay and leave a comment by July 1 to register for a book giveaway. The book looks good. It is the 'Heart of the Cross' by James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken.

Breaking Down Music to Build Up the Body

Some of my friends and I have difficulty in appreciating the music that we sing together in church. One thing that I have found helpful is to break the music down into two parts. There are many parts to music, but for the average Joe like me (no pun intended) there are but two: the melody/tune and the content. I enjoy a lot of "secular" music because it is beautiful. I can trace that beauty back to God as its origin. This helps me to appreciate God. He gives beautiful music. This could come in many different types of music. But, sometimes I don't really like the tune or the voice of the person singing. However, for some songs I can appreciate the content of the song. The content causes me to think thoughts that build me up. So, at any one time I can appreciate the melody or the content. The best is when both can be appreciated. But, when I don't necessarily agree with the theology, I can be uplifted and thankful because of the tune. And when the tune doesn't seem beautiful for me, I can reflect more upon the theology behind the words of the song. Here is a good example of when both come together. (In my humble opinion)

I Don't Even Know

What do you think this video says about our culture?

Glorification: A Scary Thought?

How would you define glorification? Not the act of giving God glory, but the third stage of Christian development (justification, sanctification, glorification). One author has stated it this way "Glorification is the completion, the consummation, the perfection, the full realization of salvation." Sounds right. However, I think it is lacking something. It is too final. Will we learn in Heaven when we are glorified? If God is infinite and His knowledge infinite, then I believe we will. And if our knowledge increases, then our love for and appreciation of God will grow, as well. In fact, many aspects of our character will increase in measure. And if this is so, then glorification will not be as finalized as we may have previously thought. The truth is that we will grow in knowledge and holiness forever. Wow! That's awesome! Wow! That's amazing! Wow! That's scary! I have always assumed that we will be perfected in our character and knowledge in an instant. But, the truth is that while we will be rid of our sinful desires, we will continue endlessly to become more like Christ. That's something I haven't given thought toward. It is truly unknown to me, and truly scary. I don't know what to expect. However, the comforting fact that God will be there and will consider me His friend and child will extinguish my fears. Rather, this will cause me to appreciate the greatness of God, who is now greater than ever in my eyes.

Philippians Ch. 1 - I Quit Christianity

So, I'm reading through Philippians and I come across these verses.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:4-6

Thinking on this made me reflect on the greatness of what God does. As Christians, we need God to glorify God. That's an confusing and wonderful thought. Too often, I take on the responsibilities that belong to God. Somewhere along the journey the line between His duties and mine get blurry in my mind and I rely on self. Like recently, I realize I don't pray nearly enough. This is because I'm not thinking about how much I need God. Without His working in my life, I won't be able to accomplish the things I am supposed to do (at least not in the way I'm supposed to do them). So, in a sense I am trying to quit the Christianity that I have been practicing. I'm learning to see more and more my own dependence upon God who assures me He will finish what He starts.