Heh. Like I’ve been prolific of late.
Anyways, I’m working on writing the manuscript for Dirty Secrets, so that will be occupying all my writing time for several weeks to come.
I’m sure that I’ll have some snide remarks from time to time, though.
Ten years ago today, I took Crystal Cornman to be my lawfully wedded wife. And, while those ten years have had their challenges, I can honestly say that it has been a little slice of heaven to have her at my side.
I love you, Crystal. Happy anniversary.
From this article:
If some of the baptized end up in hell, how can baptism be an instrument of assurance?
Might as well ask the same question about the word: If some who hear the Word end up in hell, how can the Word be an instrument of assurance?
In both cases, the answer is: Because those who received the promise did not believe it, or did not continue to believe it.
While I’m here, let me point something out. In this excerpt, Leithart is saying that the preaching of the Word and baptism have a similar power and must be received in a similar way. This is one of the central points in the Federal Vision controversy. Is God saying anything in baptism?
The answer is important.
Yesterday, Crystal and I were praying about being afraid about her possibly having cancer. And, while we were praying, Crystal had a vision of sorts. (As a good Presbyterian, I have to say “of sorts”. Gives me an out, if I need one.)
She saw a part of Wintergreen Gorge, back in Erie. Down in the gorge, several children were playing together in a mud puddle. Then their father said, “Okay, children! Time to go to the swimming hole!”
But the children said, “Aw…Can’t we stay just five more minutes?”
And, sure, the swimming hole was far more beautiful and wonderful than the mud puddle. More, indeed, than the children would be able to understand. But the father smiled and said, “Okay. Five more minutes.”
Today, I remembered a scene from one of the early playtests of my game Legends of Alyria. My brother-in-law Tom was portraying Victor, a prominent man in his village with a dark secret. During the scene in question, Victor was being held prisoner by monsters called houns, which were a bit like displacer beasts crossed with wolves, for those who understand that reference. While he was being held prisoner, Uriel, the houn’s master, was going to the village to reveal his true identity: the outcast son of Victor.
Anyways, one of Victor’s Traits was Cowardice. In particular, he was afraid that his good reputation in the village would be ruined by Uriel’s revelation. And so, in game play, Tom invoked his Cowardice Trait to aid him in walking away from the houns. I remember being completely blown away. It worked, too, and Victor hurried back to the village.
We have only room in our souls for one fear, which will drive out all other fears. Would that the fear of God would cast out my other fears.
My friend Bryan says that I cope with things by writing about them. Looking back over my life, I realize that he’s right. Which is why I’m writing now, I guess.
Recently, I realized that being a teacher of the Gospel (be that an elder to his congregation, a father to his children, or a friend to another friend) is an attempt to prepare people for life in another world. But, of course, this is complicated because you’ve never been there yourself, nor are there truly words to express it all. You’re pointing to something inexpressible and saying, “Look at that!” You’re fumbling to describe Glory as one who has never been there to those who have never been there. And, of course, this is all the more complicated, because the current world keeps getting in the way. The coming world is upside down and backwards, and its ways are very different than the ways of this world.
In a few hours, Crystal is getting a biopsy for a lump in her throat. And, I’m slowly coming to realize that I’m scared. All the “what if” questions start dancing around in my head. What if it’s cancer? Then my mind starts rushing to treatment options. Chemotherapy? Radiation? Chelation? Something else?
All of this, of course, comes down to a very simple question. What if I’m about to lose my wife? Now, you can say that I don’t know anything yet and I should stop being crazy about it. And yes, that’s true. But I’m not confronting reality; I’m confronting my fears.
And the wisdom of this world says, “You fight for your life. You hold onto it, kicking and screaming.” You hire doctors. You take medicines. You fight with everything that you have.
But what does Jesus say? “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:25) Fighting to save your life will make you lose it.
The Bible is clear: we will all die eventually. One day, either Crystal or I will get the news that one of us will soon be no more. Our mortality is assured. So what profit is there in fighting this reality?
But what else does Jesus say? “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:24-25) My death is the gateway into my life. Crystal’s death is the gateway into her life. So why should I be afraid? Even if I must walk alone for a while in this world, must that be so terrible? It will only be a little while, and then all will be made right again forever. What are a few decades, when weighed against eternity?
But I am still too much of this world. I cannot see the world that is coming. And so, I am still afraid.
Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.
All you geopolitics buffs out there, check this out! Animated maps about various political items. The Imperial History of the Middle East is especially nifty.
HT: Ron Edwards
This is breaking news via the PCA General Assembly webcast. The Federal Vision report was received.
I was particularly disappointed with the apparent lack of concern for the lack of Federal Vision adherents on the committee. There was a motion to postpone, which would have included the appointing of two additional members to the committee who would represent the Federal Vision, but this motion was overwhelmingly voted down. (I base the “overwhelmingly” on the camera shot of the voting commissioners and on the fact that they did not need to count the votes.)
I was also disappointed with the attitude expressed by some in regards to the request for additional exegesis. The reply was, “Well, we have the Westminster Standards, and that’s enough exegesis for us!” In particular, R.C. Sproul seemed to express this attitude when he spoke against the motion to postpone, which was upsetting to me.
Of course, what this means in the long run, I don’t know. But, sigh…. I had hoped that it would be different.