Educating Leaders - No Conveyor Belt Education Here!

March 24, 2008 - Sing to the Lord

A Call to Worship and Obedience

1 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!
         Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
         Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

3 For the LORD is the great God,
         And the great King above all gods.

4 In His hand are the deep places of the earth;
         The heights of the hills are His also.

5 The sea is His, for He made it;
         And His hands formed the dry land.

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
         Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

7 For He is our God,
         And we are the people of His pasture,
         And the sheep of His hand.

         Today, if you will hear His voice:

8 "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,
         As in the day of trial[b] in the wilderness,

9 When your fathers tested Me;
         They tried Me, though they saw My work.

10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation,
         And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts,
         And they do not know My ways.’

11 So I swore in My wrath,
         ‘They shall not enter My rest."

Psalm 95

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March 17, 2008 - Dwell in God's Secret Place

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the sahdow of the Almighty
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress:
My God, in Him I will trust."

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-10

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March 10, 2008 - A New Song

I waited pateintly for the Lord;
   And He inclined to me,
   And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay
   And set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps
He has put a new song in my mouth - Praise to God;
   Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:1-3

Has the Lord put a new song in your heart?

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February 5, 2006 - Manasseh the King

I have always looked at Manasseh as one of the most wicked kings of Israel. And he is! But, I learned today that he humbled himself before the Lord in captivity. Isnt' that just like man...we turn to God when there is noone else to turn to.

At least Manasseh did humble himself before he died.

...he humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him, and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication and brought him back go Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.
2 Chronicles 33:12-13

We worship a merciful God, more merciful than any of my understanding.

Kerry

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February 5, 2006 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
    As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
    And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
    And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord
    He also has rejected you from being king.

       I Samuel 15:22-23

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December 21, 2005 - Another Blog Posts About the Star of Bethlehem

One last link to Star of Bethlehem info for you and your family.

Here’s a blog post about the Star of Bethlehem. Click here to read it.

Kerry

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December 21, 2005 - Star of Bethlehem - Worldview Approach

Last Sunday at church we heard an excellent message about the

Star of Bethlehem as a significant symbol of Christmas. This

message approaches the study of the Star from a worldview

approach and discusses the modern’s view of astrology and the

Star of Bethlehem. Again, it is free and you can listen to it online

or make your own cd recording. Click here to go to Christ Church.

Choose Sermons/Lectures and download the message.

Kerry

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December 21, 2005 - Star of Bethlehem Audio

I was sooo excited when a good friend of ours, Jim Erskine of

Homeschool Radio Shows, showed me a website about the

Star of Bethlehem. Why was I so excited? The speaker on this

message was the author of a book I read a few years ago. Ever

since I read that book, I wanted to write a kids’ Bible study about

the stars and their message about the gospel.

I know you will enjoy and learn from Dr. Spencer. You can listen to

a free audio message about the Star of Bethlehem by clicking here.

Kerry

ps. There is even an audio about the Wise Men on that page.

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December 21, 2005 - Shimei...the rest of the story

Yesterday I wrote about Shimei and David's mercy to him, even though Shimei wronged the king. I found it interesting that David mentions Shimei on his death bed. David tells Solomon to not hold Shimei guiltless; bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood. When I read about Shimei yesterday, it appears that David showed him mercy. Now, David wants blood for Shimei's wickedness.

After David's death, Solomon continues to show mercy to Shimei...on a limited basis. Solomon tells Shimei that he will not die, as long as he stays in Jerusalem, not crossing the Brook Kidron. For three years, Shimei stays within Jerusalem. Then, he must have forgotten this agreement because he chases run-away slaves to Gath. You would think this agreement would be in the forefront of Shimei's mind if he wanted to save his life. But he foolishly leaves Jerusalem.

Solomon calls Shimei to the palace and asks him why he left town. God does not record Shimei's response; it only says that Solomon had Shimei struck down and established his kingdom.

This reminds me that, in the end, God's justice will prevail. When we are wronged by others, we should look for ways to show mercy to them as it says in Romans 12:17-21. Remember that God is the one who has the last say about wrong-doers. It is our jo          b to overcome evil with good (Romans 17:21)

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
Therefore
    If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    If he is thristy, give him a drink;
    For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome eveil with good.
                                                          Romans 12:17-21

Kerry
Spending Time With God

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December 20, 2005 - Crown Him Lord of All

The following was sung at church this past Sunday as preparation for worship. It was absolutely beautiful. I know you can't hear it, but read the words and soak in the sacrifice that Christ made for us as he came to earth. This is the perfect season to do so.

Kerry

Who is He in yonder stall,
At whose feet the shepherds fall?
    'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
    'Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
    At His feet we humbly fall,
    Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He to whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?
    'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
    'Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
    At His feet we humbly fall,
    Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?
    'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
    'Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
    At His feet we humbly fall,
    Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He who from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
    'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
    'Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
    At His feet we humbly fall,
    Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He that from His throne
Rules through all the world alone?
    'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
    'Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
    At His feet we humbly fall,
    Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!

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December 20, 2005 - Sacrifices Should Cost

Once again, I am reminded from David's life that the sacrifices we make to God should cost something to us. Why do I say this comes from David's life?

David takes a census and God judges David's sin with a plague. To stop the plague, David goes to Araunah's threshing floor to make an altar. Araunah is all too willing to give his threshing floor to David . . . for free, no strings attached.

David is wise and knows that a sacrifice without payment is worth nothing. David says, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing."

We no longer offer burnt offerings to our Lord, but we are to daily present our bodies as living, holy and acceptable sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). Our daily offerings should cost us something, not just be the extras that we would give anyway.

Kerry
Winning the War for Our Culture

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November 15, 2005 - Thoughts on Worldview

This past Sunday, Doug Wilson made some good comments about worldview. Many of us want to teach our children a worldview and this might put things in perspective. Take a look.

http://dougwils.com/index.asp?Action=Anchor&CategoryID=1&BlogID=1604

Kerry

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September 25, 2005 - 9-11 and New Orleans

I finally found the link I wanted to share. It's about judgment from God. You may agree or disagree, but it is definitely food for thought. See Doug Wilson's blog post about judgment on New Orleans.

http://dougwils.com/index.asp?Action=Anchor&CategoryID=1&BlogID=1419

Kerry

Christian Homeschool Curriculum

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August 17, 2005 - Nobility

Last night I heard a short talk from Doug Jones about "nobility". He reminded us that we should live as nobility, kings & queens in Christ's kingdom. Kings & queens are not enslaved to those around them; they are the ones who set the pace, set what's cool, and set the trends.

As Christians, we often live according to the world and what it thinks is cool. We become trapped into thinking their way of life is best instead of living by God's standards as set in the Bible.

Will you live for the world? Or live as a king or queen for Christ, setting the standards for those around you?

Kerry

ps. Doug Jones offers fantastic writing classes. Both my daughters took his SAT prep class last year and their writing improved tremendously. Check out Zarafa Tutorials today.

Our Top Ten Homeschool Products

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August 7, 2005 - Why Use Wine for Communion?

Our church uses wine for the Lord's Supper for several reason, most of all because the Lord used wine. There has been some local ruckus over this practice and the possibility of our church holding worship service in a university building. Gosh, we would be serving alcohol to minors. Below is Peter Leithart's Eucharist Message before we partake of the Lord's Supper.

Much of the following is inspired by David Hart's Beauty of the Infinite.

Deuteronomy 14:23, 26: "And you shall eat in the presence of Yahweh your God at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the first-born of the herd and your flock, in order that you may learn to fear Yahweh your God always. . . . And you may spend the money for whatever your heart desires, for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of Yahweh your God and rejoice, you and your household."

There is grape juice for minors at the center of each tray.

But there is also wine. Why wine? Because Jesus is the true Dionysus, the true God of the vine. The Dionysus of the Greeks offered only wine of death. Mad with the wine of Dionysus, the women of Thebes tore king Pentheus limb from limb, and Pentheus' mother blindly bore her son's head back to the city in triumph. Drunk with the wine of Dionysus, Lycurgus mistook his son for a vine and cut him down. The wine of Dionysus leaves a trail of destruction, insanity, murder, cannibalism, warfare and rape.

But Jesus, the true God of the vine, offers the wine of blessing and abundance, a thank-offering to God. The wine offered by Jesus cheers God and man, marks the renewal of covenant, and is shared by lovers. It is the wine of the new creation, drunk by the new Adam, Noah, after the flood cleansed the world. It is the wine of victory that Melchizedek brought to Abraham after his battle. It is "the wine of agape and the feast of fellowship" (David Hart), the wine of mutual joy. It is the wine, as Solomon said, that makes life merry.

The wine of the true Dionysus is not safe. It is the wrath-wine of the holy God, the transcendent God, the God who escapes our every effort to control or corral Him. The wine of Jesus is the wine foaming and strong in His cup, wine that he pours out to make his enemies stagger and fall. The wine of Jesus too sends people mad, for some who come to this table are sick, and some are fallen asleep. This wine is not safe; but it is the cup of blessing.

Why wine? Because the Lord of the table requires it, and He is the true god of the vine.

But there is grape juice for minors in the center of each tray.

from Peter Leithart's blog

Kerry

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August 7, 2005 - How Should We Worship God?

To many Christians, Reformed folk seem more than a little uptight about worship. Calvin left Geneva when the city council attempted to force him to adopt liturgical forms from the city of Bern, even though Calvin admitted he had little quarrel with the Bernese liturgy itself. Puritans made themselves odious to moderates in the English church with their opposition to vestments and ceremonies. And today, when many churches have made great strides to bring Christian worship into relevant conformity to the demands of popular culture, all we Reformed can do is balk and criticize and stand in the way of progress. There we go again.

Whatever the wisdom of the particular liturgical protests that Reformed pastors and theologians have registered over the years, the Reformed instinct to protect the purity of worship is exactly right. Worship is more closely regulated than other areas of life. We are to obey God in every circumstance, but when we gather for worship we gather to rejoice before the face of the Holy God. We must always obey God in our own homes, but when invited into His home, we must be on our best behavior. Our joy depends upon it.

At home, we are free to read Shakespeare and Judith, Trollope and Joyce, but here our public reading is limited to the canon of the Old and New Testaments. At home, we may tell make up fresh stories every day, but a preacher is bound to keep telling the same old story again and again, which is the story of Jesus. At home, we are free to eat cheese crackers and drink grape soda, but at the Lord's Table there is no buffet of choices. This is the Lord's service, not ours, and we have no right to do what we please with it.

Nor, for that matter, does anyone outside the church. So much as it lies in you, Paul says, live at peace with all men. We may submit and accommodate and yield charitably in all kinds of ways for the sake of peace with our brothers and even with our enemies. But the threshold of the sanctuary is the threshold of our peace. Jesus is the Lord of this service, and His word determines what is said in the pulpit, what kinds of prayers are prayed, what is served at the Lord's Table, who eats and drinks. There are times to be defiant elsewhere. Here we have no choice. Here we must be defiant.

Peter Leithart's exhortation on Sunday, August 7, 2005 Peter Leithart's blog

Kerry

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August 4, 2005 - Faith & Works

Where there are no good works, there is no faith. If works and love do not blossom forth, it is not genuine faith, the Gospel has not yet gained a foothold, and Christ is not yet rightly known.
Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Luther, a reformer, reinforces what James says, "faith without works is dead". Is your faith showing forth to those around you? Can others tell that the Gospel has gained a foothold in your life? Or, do you appear the same as non-Christians when the neighbors look at you?

I want good works to show forth in my life!!! I want God's glorious gospel to have a strong foothold in my life.

Kerry

If you want to know more about Reformed Theology, see this CD

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July 4, 2005 - Confessions of a Recovering Dispensationalist

Yesterday, Steve had the opportunity to preach at our church in Texas. He decided to preach on the distinctives of reformed theology, calling his sermond, Confessions of a Recovering Dispensationalist. He wanted to go beyond the 5 points of Calvinism (tulip). Here are the points he made about reformed theology.

1. God-centered view of salvation - It is only by God that any of us are saved. We are a pile of dead bones until God "quickens" us to Him.

2. God-centered worship - Worship is not made for man, but for us to give back to God. Worship is not to draw "seekers" into church. Lord's Supper is more than a memorial; it is a blessing.

3. Christians see themselves, not as individual Christians, but as the people of God - Our Christian walk affects the other members of the body. It is not just about me and my Jesus.

4. Our children are part of the promise that God made to His people - Normal way of salvation is children believing God as they see their parents follow God.

5. Optimistic view of Future - Gospel will have an effect on kings and kingdoms in this world.

Reformed theology does not break down conveniently into sound bytes. Unfortunately what I wrote above are sound bytes. God's work is much more complex than sound bytes will allow. If you want to hear his sermon, let me know. We can get a cd to you, as soon as we arrive in Idaho this weekend.

Kerry

Reforming Marriage

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July 3, 2005 - Litany for Independence Day

Peter Leithart has written some of my favorite literature guides. He is also the pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Moscow, Idaho. Here is his litany for today. . . for your "thinking" pleasure!

God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth: have mercy upon us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world: Have mercy upon us. God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful: have mercy upon us.

You are the God of all nations, and we confess that You, Father, Son and Spirit, rule and judge our nation. We confess today our sins as Americans, and plead with you to deliver us in Your mercy from all our sins and from Your wrath and judgment.

From all national pride and insolence: Good Lord, deliver us.

From lies and from liars in politics and the media: Good Lord, deliver us.

From adultery and sexual perversions, from violence and fear: Good Lord, deliver us.

From the slaughter of unborn babies and the neglect of the old and dying: Good Lord, deliver us.

From trust in the accuracy of our bombs and the power of our weapons: Good Lord, deliver us.

From our ingratitude for Your mercy, and from our refusal to give honor to whom honor is due: Good Lord, deliver us.

From oppression and neglect of the poor, orphans and widows: Good Lord, deliver us.

From our greed and idolatry of wealth, and from theft and fraud, private and official: Good Lord, deliver us.

From unjust laws and unrighteous judges, from corrupt legislators and inequitable enforcement: Good Lord, deliver us.

From lukewarm worship and ignorance of Your Word, from divisions in the body of Christ, from grieving the Spirit: Good Lord, deliver us.

Be merciful to us and to our nation, for the sake of Jesus Christ, who was crucified and raised that He might reign over all things through the Spirit to the glory of the Father, forever and ever. Amen.

from http://leithart.com/

Kerry

Literature Study Guide

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July 1, 2005 - Sabbath Prayer

I just received our Sabbath prayer for this weekend and thought I'd pass it along. It's from Doug Wilson at Christ Church.

Gracious Father and God, Your kindness toward Your people is an everlasting river, and we thank You that we will never arrive at the end of it. We know that You call us to worship You before all things, and that You summon us to this for our good and Your glory. We praise You as the God of Sabbath, and as the Sabbath God, the God of all salvation rest. We know that all work is rested on the foundation stones of Your grace, and we know that these foundation stones can never be moved. We thank You for the fellowship of our company, for the wine, for the food, for the hands that prepared the food, and for the privilege of approaching You in worship tomorrow. We give Your glory and thanksgiving now
IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN

Kerry

Starting A Business

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